Article 18 of the Saudi Precious Metals and Gemstones Law
المادة 18 من نظام المعادن الثمينة والأحجار الكريمة
The article provides that the penalties in the Precious Metals Law do not prevent penalties under other laws and do not affect the injured party's right to obtain compensation.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يخل توقيع العقوبات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام بتوقيع أي عقوبة تقضي بها أنظمة أخرى كما لا يخل بحق المتضرر في الحصول على التعويض.
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 18 explained in plain English
This article clarifies the relationship between this Law's penalties and other penalties and rights, and contains two rulings:
- No prejudice to penalties under other laws: imposing the penalties provided for in this Law does not prevent imposing any penalty provided by other laws. If the same act is punishable under another law, its penalty may be applied as well.
- The injured party's right to compensation: the penalty does not remove the injured party's right to obtain compensation. The injured party, such as a buyer who was deceived, keeps the right to compensation for the harm suffered.
The importance of this article to the consumer is clear: someone who bought adulterated gold, for example, does not lose his right because the seller is punished; he may claim compensation. The article does not specify the method of claiming compensation or the body to which it is brought.
Before it is Article 17, which punishes with a fine of not more than SAR 200,000 anyone who commits another violation of the provisions of the Law and its regulations, and after it is Article 19, which permits the judgment or decision imposing the penalty to include publication of its operative part at the violator's expense. Anyone harmed by a violation of this Law who wants to claim compensation may consult a lawyer specializing in civil cases and compensation.
Practical example
Sarah bought a gold set from a shop in Riyadh, and it turned out its weight and karat were lower than she was told. Even if the seller is punished under the Law, Sarah keeps her right to obtain compensation for the harm she suffered.
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 18 of the Saudi Precious Metals and Gemstones Law
If the seller of adulterated gold is punished, do I lose my right to compensation?
No. Imposing the penalties does not affect the injured party's right to obtain compensation.
Can the violator also be punished under other laws?
Yes. Imposing this Law's penalties does not prevent imposing any penalty provided by other laws.
More articles on Penalties for Gold and Jewelry Fraud
- Article 14
The article punishes with up to two years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 400,000, or either, fraud in precious metals and gemstones, altering hallmarked items and selling unhallmarked ones, with suspension of the license and closure on repeat offenses.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على سنتين وبغرامة لا تتجاوز أربعمائة ألف ريال أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين: أ - كل من غش أو خدع في نوع أو وزن أو عيار المعادن الثمينة أو ال
- Article 15Amended (1443 AH)
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to SAR 90,000, or either, anyone who manufactures precious metals, their articles or gemstones without a license.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تزيد على ستة أشهر وبغرامة لا تتجاوز تسعين ألف ريال أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين، كل من زاول صناعة المعادن الثمينة ومشغولاتها أو الأحجار الكريمة
- Article 16
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to two months and a fine of up to SAR 30,000, or either, anyone who prevents, or causes the prevention of, the competent employees overseeing the Law from carrying out their duties.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز شهرين وبغرامة لا تتجاوز ثلاثين ألف ريال أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين كل من منع أو تسبب في منع الموظفين المختصين بمراقبة تنفيذ هذا النظام
- Article 17
The article punishes with a fine of up to SAR 200,000 anyone who commits another violation of the provisions of the Precious Metals and Gemstones Law and its regulations.
يعاقب بغرامة لا تتجاوز مائتي ألف ريال كل من ارتكب مخالفة أخرى لأحكام هذا النظام ولوائحه.
- Article 19Amended by M/87
The article permits the judgment or decision imposing a penalty to order publication of its operative part at the violator's expense in a local newspaper or other suitable means, once it becomes final or unchallengeable.
يجوز تضمين الحكم أو القرار الصادر بالعقوبة -بحسب الأحوال- النص على نشر منطوقه على نفقة المخالف في صحيفة محلية تصدر في مقر إقامته، فإن لم يكن في مقر إقامته صحيفة
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.