Article 355 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
المادة 355 من نظام المعاملات المدنية · الفرع الثالث: البيع في مرض الموت
The non-effectiveness of a sale by a person in death-sickness cannot be invoked against a good-faith person who acquired a real right in the item for consideration, while the heirs keep their recourse against the buyer.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يحتج بعدم نفاذ بيع المريض مرض الموت إذا تصرف المشتري في المبيع تصرفًا أكسب من كان حسن النية حقًّا عينيًّا في المبيع مقابل عوض، وذلك دون إخلال بحق الورثة في الرجوع على المشتري بما يُكمل (ثلثي) التركة أو ثَمن المثل.
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 355 explained in plain English
This article deals with what happens if a person buys from a person in death-sickness and then disposes of the item to someone else before the heirs object.
Protection of the good-faith third party: the non-effectiveness of the sale by the person in death-sickness cannot be invoked if the buyer disposed of the item in a way that gave another person a real right in it, on two conditions:
- that this person is in good faith;
- that he acquired the right for consideration, not as a gift.
If both conditions are met, the heirs cannot take the item from this person.
Preserving the heirs' right: this does not mean the heirs' right is lost; they may have recourse against the first buyer for what completes two thirds of the estate or the fair price.
This strikes a balance between stability of dealings and the protection of a person who dealt in good faith on one side, and protection of the heirs on the other, since their right moves from the item itself to a claim against the buyer.
This article is linked to Article 354, which provides that a sale by a person in death-sickness to an heir at a favorable price does not take effect, to the extent of the favor, against the other heirs except with their approval, and that a sale to a non-heir at a favorable price does not take effect, to the extent of the favor, beyond the value of one third of the estate except with their approval or if the person dealt with returns what completes two thirds.
Because assessing good faith, consideration and what the heirs are entitled to varies with the case, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in personal status or civil cases.
Practical example
Khaled bought land from a man in death-sickness for a price much less than its value, and then Khaled sold it to Saeed for its fair price, and Saeed did not know of the circumstances of the first sale. After the seller's death the heirs cannot invoke the non-effectiveness of the sale against Saeed, but they may have recourse against Khaled for what completes two thirds of the estate or the fair 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 355 of the Saudi Civil Transactions Law
Can the heirs recover the item from a person who later bought it in good faith?
The non-effectiveness of the sale by the person in death-sickness cannot be invoked against him if he acquired a real right in the item in good faith and for consideration.
What is the heirs' right if the buyer disposed of the item to a good-faith person?
They may have recourse against the buyer for what completes two thirds of the estate or the fair price.
Does the protection cover someone who got the item as a gift?
The article requires that the real right be acquired for consideration.
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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.