Article 28 of the Saudi Commercial Court Law
المادة 28 من النظام التجاري نظام المحكمة التجارية · الفصل الثالث: في الوكيل بالعمولة المعبر عنه بالقومسيون والأمناء المأمورين بنقل الأشياء برا وبحرا
The article sets the start of the two claim periods in Article 27 from the date of receipt or the last installment, and allows a claim at any time if the damage was through a trick or breach of trust by the carrier.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
المهلتان المذكورتان في المادة 27 يعتبر ابتداؤها من تاريخ استلام الأشياء أو آخر دفعة منها، وإذا ظهر أن التلف أو الضياع حصل عن حيلة أو خيانة من نفس المكاري فتقام الدعوى في أي وقت كان ولا يمنع سماعها مرور المهلتين المذكورتين.
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 28 explained in plain English
This article completes the rule of Article 27, which set two periods for suing the carrier (the haulier): three months if the damage or loss occurred inside the Kingdom, as the text puts it, and a lunar year if it occurred outside it, with the claim not heard after they pass.
This article adds two provisions:
- Start of the period: The two periods begin from the date of receiving the items, or from the date of receiving the last installment of them if they were delivered in installments.
- The exception of trick and breach of trust: If it appears that the damage or loss occurred through a trick or breach of trust by the carrier himself, the claim is brought at any time, and the passing of the two periods does not prevent it from being heard.
The short periods in Article 27 were set to protect the good-faith carrier from late claims, but they do not protect someone who deliberately uses a trick or breach of trust. Note that the text requires the trick or breach of trust to be by the carrier himself.
Because calculating the period and proving trick or breach of trust are delicate matters, it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in commercial cases before the deadlines pass.
Practical example
A merchant in Riyadh received his shipment in three installments, the last on the 10th of the month. Under this article the claim period begins from the date of receiving the last installment. If it later appeared that the carrier had deliberately substituted part of the goods, the merchant could bring the claim at any time.
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 28 of the Saudi Commercial Court Law
When does the period to sue over damaged goods begin?
From the date of receiving the items or the last installment of them.
Does the claim lapse if the carrier breached trust?
No. If it appears that the damage or loss occurred through a trick or breach of trust by the carrier himself, the claim is brought at any time and the passing of the two periods does not prevent it from being heard.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Commission Agent and Carriage of Goods
- Article 18
The article defines the commission agent as a person who carries on trade on behalf of another, conducting his transactions in his own name or in the name of a company for the account of his principal.
الوكيل بالعمولة هو الذي يتعاطى التجارة بالوصاية والنيابة ويجري معاملاته باسمه أو بعنوان شركة ما لحساب موكله.
- Article 19
The article gives the commission agent the right to be paid first, out of the value of goods sent to him for sale, what he spent on them, subject to conditions regarding their whereabouts.
كل وكيل بعمولة له الحق أن يتقدم في استيفاء جميع ما صرفه على أمتعة مرسلة له من محل آخر برسم البيع لحساب موكله من نفس قيمتها إذا كانت موجودة لديه أو مودعة في مخزن
- Article 20
The article makes the agent liable for any damage if he transfers the carriage of goods to another without the original merchant's permission, and he is not liable if the transfer is by the merchant or with his permission.
إذا حول الوكيل أمر نقل البضاعة والأشياء المسلمة أو المرسلة له إلى غيره بغير إذن التاجر الأصلي يضمن كل ضرر يحصل بسبب ذلك. أما إذا كان التحويل إلى الوكيل الآخر من
- Article 21
The article requires every agent and trustee to record in the daybook the kind, quantity and prices of the goods ordered to be carried by land or sea.
يجب على كل وكيل وأمين أن يقيد بدفتر اليومية جنس ومقدار وأثمان البضائع المأمور بنقلها بحرا أو برا.
- Article 22
The article requires the agent and trustee to attach a consignment note to the goods when sending them, that is, a statement that meets the specified requirements.
يجب على الوكيل والأمين حين إرسال البضاعة أن يرفق بها قائمة الإرسالية ؛ أي كشفا مستوفيا للشرائط الآتية
- Article 23
The article sets the details that must appear in the consignment note, from the description of goods and the delivery time limit and the parties' names to the fee, compensation and signature.
يوضح في قائمة الإرسالية مقدار وجنس البضائع المنقولة ونوع الطرود ومهلة إيصالها مع بيان اسم وشهرة الوكيل والأمين المتعهد بنقلها والمكارى ، واسم وشهرة من تسلم إليه
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.