Adhesion contractIn Arabic: عقد الإذعان

Definition

An adhesion contract is one whose terms are set in advance by one party. The other party can only accept them as a whole, without negotiating the clauses. The court may modify an abusive term or relieve the adhering party of it.

How it varies across the GCC

Saudi Civil Transactions Law defines it in article 40, and article 96 allows the court to modify abusive terms or to relieve the adhering party. Bahrain’s Civil Code does so in article 57, and Oman’s Civil Transactions Law in articles 83 and 158. The pattern shows up in standard-form service contracts and in insurance.

The rules that apply to a specific matter depend on the state, any free zone involved and the current text of the law, so check the official source before relying on them.

Sources

Official texts for the points on this page. General information, not legal advice. An article number is cited only where it was verified.

1. Saudi Civil Transactions Law, art. 40, 96https://laws.boe.gov.sa/BoeLaws/Laws/LawDetails/655fdb42-8c96-422b-b8c4-b04f0095c94c/1
2. Bahrain Civil Code, Decree-Law No. 19 of 2001, art. 57https://www.lloc.gov.bh/Legislation/HTM/L1901
3. Oman Civil Transactions Law, Royal Decree 29/2013 (text on qanoon.om), art. 83, 158https://qanoon.om/p/2013/rd2013029/