Article 4 of the Saudi E-Commerce Law
المادة 4 من نظام التجارة الإلكترونية
The Article lets a consumer who made a mistake in an electronic communication, and whose technology did not let him correct it, notify the service provider of the mistake as soon as he learns of it, which counts as correcting it under conditions.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا حدث خطأ من المستهلك في خطاب إلكتروني ولم تتح له تقنية الاتصال تداركه، فله أن يبلغ موفر الخدمة بموضع الخطأ فور علمه به خلال المهلة التي تحددها اللائحة، ويعد هذا الإبلاغ تداركاً للخطأ إن لم يكن قد استفاد من منتج موفر الخدمة أو خدمته أو حصل على منفعة من أي منهما.
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 4 explained in plain English
This Article deals with a common situation: the consumer makes a mistake in an electronic communication, meaning a request, offer or notice he sends electronically during negotiation or performance of the contract, such as choosing a wrong quantity or size.
The Article applies when the following are met:
- there is a mistake by the consumer in an electronic communication.
- the communication technology did not allow him to correct the mistake, for example there was no option to edit or cancel before sending.
In that case the consumer has the right to notify the service provider of the place of the mistake as soon as he learns of it, within the period set by the Implementing Regulations; the Article itself does not set the length of the period.
This notification counts as correcting the mistake provided the consumer has not:
- benefited from the service provider's product or service, or
- obtained a benefit from either of them.
If the consumer benefited from the product or service or obtained a benefit from them, his notification does not count as correcting the mistake under this Article. Notifying quickly and not using the product are therefore essential.
It is useful for the consumer to keep proof of the date and content of his notification, such as a message or email. If a dispute arises over whether the mistake occurred or the timing of the notification, a lawyer specialized in commercial cases can be consulted.
Practical example
Ahmed wanted to buy one box of coffee from an online store in Riyadh, but entered the number 10 by mistake, and the site showed no screen to review or edit the order before confirming it. As soon as he noticed, he wrote to the store and specified the place of the mistake before receiving the order or benefiting from it. If the notification is made within the period set by the Regulations, it counts as correcting the mistake.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentA question about Article 4 of E-Commerce Law?
Describe what happened and specialist lawyers answer. You can write in English.
- Completely free
- Lawyers from the directory answer
- Your name stays hidden
Commercial & Corporate Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Commercial & Corporate Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
شركة امتداد النظام للمحاماة والاستشارات المهنية
- Labour & Employment Law
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Law
- Commercial & Corporate Law
Frequently asked questions about Article 4 of the Saudi E-Commerce Law
I ordered from an online store by mistake, what do I do?
If the communication technology did not allow you to correct the mistake, notify the service provider of the place of the mistake as soon as you learn of it, within the period set by the Regulations.
When does my notification of the mistake not count as correcting it?
It does not if you have benefited from the product or service or obtained a benefit from either of them.
How long is there to notify of the mistake?
The Article does not set the period but leaves it to the Implementing Regulations, with the requirement that notification be as soon as the mistake is learned of.
More articles on Electronic Contracts and Invoices
- Article 3
The Article sets the service provider's place of business: the merchant's commercial register address, and the place specified in the e-store for the practitioner, with rules for multiple places and for none.
1- يقصد بمقر عمل موفر الخدمة لأغراض تطبيق أحكام النظام ما يأتي: أ- بالنسبة إلى التاجر، يكون مقر عمله عنوانه المحدد في سجله التجاري. ب- بالنسبة إلى الممارس، يكون
- Article 7
The Article requires the service provider to give the consumer a statement of the contract's provisions and terms before concluding it, covering product features, the total price, payment and delivery arrangements, and the guarantee.
يلتزم موفر الخدمة بتقديم بيان للمستهلك يوضح فيه أحكام العقد المزمع إبرامه وشروطه, على أن يشتمل البيان على ما يأتي: أ- الإجراءات الواجب اتخاذها لإبرام العقد. ب-
- Article 8
The Article requires the service provider to give the consumer an invoice after concluding the contract showing the cost of each product or service, the total price and the date and place of delivery, as the Regulations set.
على موفر الخدمة تقديم فاتورة إلى المستهلك بعد إبرام العقد مبين فيها تكاليف شراء كل منتج أو تقديم خدمة، وإجمالي السعر شاملاً جميع الرسوم أو الضرائب أو المبالغ ال
- Article 10
The Article makes the electronic advertisement a supplementary contractual document binding on the parties, and requires it to include the product or service name, the service provider's name and his contact means.
1- يُعد الإعلان الإلكتروني من الوثائق التعاقدية المكملة للعقود وملزمة لأطراف العقد. 2- يجب أن يتضمن الإعلان الإلكتروني ما يأتي: أ- اسم المنتج أو الخدمة المعلن ع
- Article 14
The article lets a consumer cancel and recover what was paid if the service provider delays delivery beyond 15 days or the agreed date, unless the delay is due to force majeure.
1- ما لم يتفق موفر الخدمة والمستهلك على مدة أخرى لتسليم محل العقد أو تنفيذه، يحق للمستهلك فسخ العقد إذا تأخر موفر الخدمة عن التسليم أو التنفيذ مدة تزيد على (خمس
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.