Article 336 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 336 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفرع الثاني: آثار عقد البيع أولًا: التزامات البائع
If part of the item sold is claimed and this creates a defect in the rest, the buyer may rescind; otherwise he has only recourse on the warranty for the part claimed.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا استُحق بعض المبيع وأحدث الاستحقاق عيبًا في الباقي كان للمشتري طلب الفسخ، فإن اختار إمساك المبيع أو لم يحدث الاستحقاق عيبًا في الباقي فليس له إلا الرجوع بالضمان في الجزء المستحق.
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 336 explained in plain English
This article deals with partial entitlement, that is, where it is established that only a part of the item sold belongs to another person. The Law distinguishes between two cases:
- If the entitlement creates a defect in the rest: for example, the remaining part becomes less useful or valuable because the claimed part is taken away, the buyer may request rescission.
- If the buyer chooses to keep the item despite the defect, or the entitlement did not create a defect in the rest at all, he has only recourse on the warranty for the claimed part.
The right to rescind is therefore limited to the case where the entitlement creates a defect in the rest; unless that occurs, the buyer's right is limited to the warranty in proportion to the part he lost, and does not extend to cancelling the whole sale.
This article follows the rules on entitlement to the whole of the item sold: Article 335 sets out what the buyer may claim from the seller if the whole item is claimed and the owner does not approve the sale, including the price, the value of fruits, expenses and compensation. Article 337 permits agreeing to exempt the seller from the entitlement warranty, or to limit or increase it, with exceptions.
Whether the entitlement has created a defect in the rest is a matter that varies with the case, so it is advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in civil or real estate cases.
Practical example
Salem bought land in Madinah to build a house on, and it was then established that a part of it at its entrance belonged to his neighbor, leaving the rest without a suitable entrance. Because the entitlement created a defect in the rest, Salem may request rescission; if he chooses to keep the land, he has recourse on the warranty only for the part claimed.
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 336 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
May the sale be rescinded if it is established that part of the item sold belongs to someone other than the seller?
Yes, if the entitlement to that part created a defect in the rest; otherwise the buyer has only recourse on the warranty for the part claimed.
What if I choose to keep the item after a partial entitlement?
You have only recourse on the warranty for the part claimed.
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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.