Article 110 of the Saudi Commercial Papers Law
المادة 110 من نظام الأوراق التجارية · الفصل السابع: تعدد النسخ والصور والتحريف
The Article allows a check, other than a bearer check, to be drawn in several identical copies if drawn in one country and payable in another, each copy being numbered, failing which it is treated as a separate check.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
فيما عدا الشيك لحامله، يجوز سحب الشيك من نسخ متعددة يطابق بعضها بعضا إذا كان مسحوبا من بلد ومستحق الوفاء في بلد آخر. ويجب في هذه الحالة أن يوضع في متن كل نسخة منها رقمها وإلا اعتبرت كل نسخة شيكا مستقلا.
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 110 explained in plain English
This Article deals with multiple copies of a check and provides the following:
- When it is permitted: a check may be drawn in several copies identical to one another if it is drawn in one country and payable in another country.
- What is excepted: a bearer check may not be drawn in several copies.
- Formal requirement: the number of each copy must be placed in its body.
- Penalty for breach: if the copies are not numbered, each copy is considered a separate check.
The last rule has a serious effect on the drawer: unnumbered copies are not treated as copies of a single check but as separate checks, each standing on its own.
This Article falls within the part on multiple copies, reproductions and alteration, after Article 109, which sets the time for proving refusal to pay. The Article does not address the effect of payment of one copy on the others, or which other rules apply to that. Anyone dealing in international checks issued in multiple copies may consult a lawyer who specializes in banking and commercial papers.
Practical example
An import company issued a check from another country payable in Riyadh, and sent it in two identical copies for fear of losing one. Under this Article, the number of each copy must be written in its body; otherwise each copy is considered a separate check.
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 110 of the Saudi Commercial Papers Law
May a check be issued in more than one copy?
Yes, if it is drawn in one country and payable in another, and provided it is not a bearer check.
What happens if the copies of a check are not numbered?
Each copy is considered a separate check.
More articles on The Check
- Article 91
The Article lists the mandatory particulars of a check: the word check, an unconditional order to pay a fixed sum, the drawee's name, place of payment, date and place of issue, and the drawer's signature.
يشتمل الشيك على البيانات الآتية: أ - كلمة (شيك) مكتوبة في متن الصك باللغة التي كتب بها. ب - أمر غير معلق على شرط بوفاء مبلغ معين من النقود. جـ - اسم من يلزمه ال
- Article 92
The Article provides that an instrument lacking a check particular listed in Article 91 is not a check, unless the missing particular is the place of payment or the place of issue.
الصك الخالي من أحد البيانات المذكورة في المادة السابقة لا يعتبر شيكا إلا في الحالتين الآتيتين: أ - إذا خلا الشيك من بيان مكان وفائه اعتبر مستحق الوفاء في المكان
- Article 93
The Article requires checks issued in the Kingdom and payable there to be drawn on a bank, and treats instruments drawn on anyone other than a bank as invalid checks.
لا يجوز سحب الشيكات الصادرة في المملكة والمستحقة الوفاء فيها إلا على بنك، والصكوك المسحوبة في صورة شيكات على غير بنك لا تعتبر شيكات صحيحة.
- Article 94
The Article bars issuing a check unless the drawer has funds with the drawee that can be disposed of by check at the time of issue, and requires the drawer to prove cover if denied; lack of cover does not void the check.
لا يجوز إصدار شيك ما لم يكن للساحب لدى المسحوب عليه وقت إنشاء الشيك نقود يستطيع التصرف فيها بموجب شيك طبقا لاتفاق صريح أو ضمني. وعلى ساحب الشيك أو الآمر غيره بس
- Article 95
The Article allows a check to be payable to a named person with or without an order clause, to a named person with a not-to-order clause, or to bearer, and sets when a check counts as a bearer check.
يجوز اشتراط وفاء الشيك إلى: أ - شخص معين مع النص صراحة على شرط الأمر أو بدونه. ب - شخص معين مع ذكر شرط (ليس لأمر) أو أية عبارة أخرى تفيد هذا المعنى. جـ - حامل ا
- Article 96
The Article allows a check to be drawn to the drawer's own order or for another person's account, and bars drawing it on the drawer himself except between branches of one bank, provided it is not a bearer check.
يجوز سحب الشيك لأمر الساحب نفسه، ويجوز سحبه لحساب شخص آخر، ولا يجوز سحبه على الساحب نفسه ما لم يكن مسحوبا بين فروع بنك يسيطر عليه مركز رئيسي واحد ويشترط ألا يكو
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.