Article 329 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 329 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفرع الثاني: آثار عقد البيع أولًا: التزامات البائع
If the item sold perishes before delivery for a reason in which no one had a hand, the sale is dissolved and the buyer recovers the price; if only part perishes, it is dissolved as to that part and the buyer may rescind the rest.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- إذا هلك المبيع قبل التسليم بسببٍ لا يد لأحد المتبايعين أو الغير فيه انفسخ البيع واسترد المشتري الثمن.
2- إذا كان الهلاك على جزء من المبيع انفسخ البيع في ذلك الجزء واسترد المشتري ما يقابله من الثمن، وللمشتري طلب فسخ البيع في الباقي واسترداد كامل الثمن.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 329 explained in plain English
This article deals with the loss of the item sold before delivery for a reason in which neither party to the sale nor a third party had a hand, for example a natural event that no one caused.
First: loss of the whole item. The sale is dissolved by operation of the Law, and the buyer recovers the price.
Second: loss of part of the item.
- The sale is dissolved as to that part, and the buyer recovers the corresponding portion of the price.
- The buyer may also request rescission of the sale for the rest, and recover the entire price.
Note the difference in wording: the loss of the whole item, or of the lost part, means the sale is dissolved as to it without any request, whereas rescission of the sale as to the remaining part is an option for the buyer, which he requests if he wishes.
In this case the buyer therefore does not bear the price of what perished before delivery; he recovers it.
This article complements Article 328, which deals with the loss of the item or part of it before delivery through the act of the seller or a third party, and gives the buyer a choice between requesting rescission of the sale, or upholding it and claiming compensation from whoever caused the loss, or requesting rescission only for the part that perished.
To determine the cause of the loss and its consequences in a particular case, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in civil cases.
Practical example
A farmer in Jazan bought 100 head of sheep from a trader, and before delivery 20 head died for a reason in which no one had a hand. Under this article the sale is dissolved as to the twenty head and the farmer recovers the corresponding part of the price, and he may request rescission of the sale for the remaining eighty and recover the entire price.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 329 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
What happens if the goods perish before delivery for a reason in which no one had a hand?
The sale is dissolved and the buyer recovers the price.
If only part of the item sold is damaged, am I still bound for the rest?
The sale is dissolved as to the lost part and you recover the corresponding portion of the price, and you may request rescission of the sale for the rest and recover the entire price.
What is different if the loss was through the seller's act?
Article 328 regulates it: the buyer may request rescission, or uphold the sale and claim compensation from whoever caused it, or rescind only for the part lost.
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- Article 109
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1- إذا تعلق الحق بشيء معين بالنوع لا بالذات، فإنه لا يختص بشيء بذاته من ذلك النوع إلا بإفرازه. 2- إذا لم يقم المدين بتنفيذ التزامه جاز للدائن أن يحصل على شيء من
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1- الالتزام بنقل حق عيني يتضمن الالتزام بتسليم الشيء والمحافظة عليه حتى تسليمه، فإذا لم يقم المدين بتسليمه حتى هلك أو تلف كانت تبعة ذلك عليه. 2- إذا كان محل الا
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البيع عقد يُمَلِّكُ بمقتضاه البائع المبيع للمشتري مقابل ثمنٍ نقدي.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.