Consumer Rights in E-Commerce Contracts under the Saudi Legal System: Reality and Challenges

E-commerce is rapidly evolving in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which necessitates the intervention of the Saudi legislator to provide greater protection for consumers who face various challenges in e-commerce contracts. The central research problem lies in identifying the challenges facing consumer rights in e-commerce contracts under the Saudi legal system and exploring ways to enhance consumer protection in this field - a question this study seeks to answer. This study aims to clarify the concept of e-commerce and the notion of consumer rights in e-commerce, while also highlighting the most significant challenges consumers face in such contracts. Moreover, it outlines the mechanisms through which these challenges can be overcome, and ultimately aims to strengthen consumer protection in e-commerce contracts within the Saudi legal framework. The study reached several findings and recommendations, the most important of which are: 1. We urge the Saudi legislator to issue a unified and comprehensive e-commerce law that combines both the E-Commerce Law and the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law, making it easier for ordinary consumers to understand their rights and obligations. 2. We recommend that the Saudi legislator amend Paragraph 1 of Article 13 of the E-Commerce Law of 1440H by adopting the term "right of withdrawal from purchase" instead of "contract termination," as the right of withdrawal is exercised unilaterally by the consumer without the consent of the other party and without court intervention, unlike contract termination. 3. We call upon the Saudi legislator to expedite the issuance of a Consumer Protection Law, given its importance and the significant value it would add to both e-commerce and consumer protection.