LAW OF COMMERCE
1334
Book One General Regulations
Chapter One – Introduction
Article 1: The provisions of the Commerce Laws are applicable to all commercial
transactions.
Article 2: Commercial disputes are to be settled in accordance with legally binding
agreements and in their absence disputes are to be determined and settled by reference to
the meaning and implication of existing commercial laws. In the absence of a law, local
and special customs (those that are commonly recognized, consented to, and used) are
applied. Local customs and practice are preferred to general custom. In the absence of
any other of the above – mentioned methods any other laws which might apply to the
dispute are used.
Remark: The preference of local and special custom and practice to general custom and
practice is given because the custom of and practice of locality are the out come of
business transactions of the area. If a clearcut custom relating to a dispute in one
particular locality does not exist, the custom of the nearest locality to this dispute is
applied.
Article 3: In the absence of any other explicit laws, the contents of Article 2 are applied.
Chapter 2 Commerce and Commercial Capacity
Article 4. Every individual having reached the age of eighteen is permitted to engage in
commercial activities provided he is not legally debarred of his legal rights.
Article 5. When a business has passed to a minor, the legal authorities shall consider if
the continuation of such a trade by his legal agent is beneficial to the interest of the
minor. In case the executer or the legal agent should not have the legal commercial
capacity, he is not permitted to carry on until a new agent or guardian has appointed.
Article 6. The rulings of Article 5 are applicable to other individuals lacking commercial
capacity.
Article 7: All persons who under law of promotion and retirement of civil servants are
counted as employees of services of the state are barred from engaging in direct
commercial activities.
Article 8: Everyone, whether as an individual or a member of a corporation, who
possesses legal commercial capacity and who in his own name has engaged in one or
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more commercial activities and who has made commercial activities his habitual business
is considered a merchant.
Article 9: A person who has opened a center for his commercial activities and who
advertises to the public through circular letters and the press is considered a merchant
even if his habitual business is not commercial activity.
Article10: An individual performing a commercial transaction by chance or by
coincidence shall not be considered a merchant. The transaction and activities performed
must be governed by the regulations of commercial laws.
Article 11: Provinces and municipalities may engage in commercial activities. They are
not considered merchants but their commercial transactions are governed by commercial
law.
Article 12: People whose commercial activities are based more on physical strength than
on cash capital, or whose income is so little it barely suffices for their living, regardless
of whether they are stationed in a shop or move around, are considered small merchants
(small businessmen).
Article 13: Small merchants do not have to have a business title or keep the commercial
registry books and neither are they affected by the bankruptcy regulations.
Remarks: Those who are in one of the trade classes and who are required to get a
business class permit are classified as small businessmen.
Subchapter C – Commercial Transactions
Article 14: For merchants / nonmerchants who purchase movable and personal property
for sale or lease to other persons in original or altered form, the sale or leasing of such
properties is considered a commercial transaction.
Article 15: Leasing of movable and personal property by merchants and nonmerchants
for the purpose of leasing it to others is considered a commercial transaction.
Article 16: Employment of persons for the purpose of contracting them to others by
individuals, whether merchants by vocation or otherwise, is considered a commercial
transaction.
Article 17: If a landowner, farmer, or a cattleraiser sells his products or changes them to
other forms before selling them, such action should be considered as normal or ordinary
activities. Similarly, if a farmer with agricultural and industrial machines or plants
exchange his product – or if a professional person or his employee (or his machines)
produces his professional product and sells them; or if an author publishes his books and
sells them, these activities constitute ordinary activities. But if a person for the purpose of
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changing his agricultural product opens a permanent establishment possessing the
qualities of an industrial business, this is considered a commercial transaction.
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Article 18: The following transactions are commercial and business transactions:
a. Agreement to provide any kind of movable property and accept any kind of
activities and products.
b. Establishment of a power plant or press; photography; printing; and selling of
books.
c. Establishment of theaters, movies, parks and public places, e.g., hotels, business
compounds, restaurants and the like, employment offices, and auction places.
d. Transportation of passengers, animals, and goods via land, air, and water
e. Distribution of water, gas, electricity and the establishment of telephone
communication.
Article 19: The following transactions are commercial transactions regardless of the
parties concerned:
a. Working for commission.
b. Brokerage.
c. Bill and draft transactions (whether recorded in the name of a person or a bearer).
d. Money exchange transactions.
e. Transactions made by private and public (special and general) banks.
f. Transaction relating to current accounts and agreements thereof.
g. Transactions relating to mortgage documents and receipts existing against goods
placed in commercial general storehouses.
h. Establishment of commercial companies and buying and selling of shares.
i. Contraction of any kind of insurance for all risks whether for fees or for reciprocal
terms.
Article 20: All transactions of a merchant are assumed to be commercial unless proved
ordinary.
Article 21: If an agreement between parties is commercial to only one of the parties,
provided there are no statements to the contrary in the law, the obligation arising form
this agreement on the part of the contractors are subject to the Commercial Law.
Article 22: Obligations arising for a merchant or nonmerchant from other transactions
or from transactions or from transactions similar to those mentioned in this chapter, are
inherently subject to the regulations of the Commercial Law.
Article 23: All transactions relating to the transactions of this chapter are taken as
commercial transactions.
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Subchapter D Business Registration
Article 24: The business Registration Office, supervised by the courts, deals with the
solution of problems and the hearing of cases arising from commercial disputes.
Article 25: Responsibilities for the operation of the Business Registration Office, under
the direct supervision of the president of the related court, shall be delegated to a
responsible and authorized officer.
Article 26: If there are many commercial courts in one locality, the Business Registration
Office, by the decision of the higher authorities, should be placed under the supervision
of one of these courts.
Article 27: All matters and transactions subject to registration by commercial or other
laws are registered directly or by request made through related agencies or other
concerned parties. Any chances brought about related matters must be filed and
registered according to rules.
Article 28: The following are to be registered by merchants and commercial firms:
a. Name of the person or firm.
b. Father's name.
c. Place and date of birth.
d. Citizenship of person or firm.
e. Business title.
f. Field of business .
g. Kind of firm as well as its date of establishment and home office.
h. Capital of firm (small business are exceptions).
i. Individual authorized to sign in affairs of the firm.
j. Any other specifications which are compulsory must be registered.
Article 29: Interested parties, as well as their heirs and agents may be authorized to make
request for registration. In case more than one person is authorized to make the
registration request, if the registration is made through request of one of them, it is
considered to have been made through the request of all of them.
Article 30: Since registration may be initiated either by personal request of interested
parties or by their legal agents, they are executed by submission of papers formally
prepared and considered and containing registration information.
Article 31: Request for registration must be made during the period prescribed by law for
this matter. If no such period is fixed by law, the registration must be completed within
one month from date of completion of documents. For persons who must register but who
live far from the place of registration, due to the distance. One day is added for each 12
miles.
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Article 32: The registration that must be advertised should be in local, official, or private
papers until such time as a special paper for the purpose of official advertising is created.
In case there is no local paper, the matter should be advertised in the local paper of the
closest vicinity. Except in special cases where advertisements are legally permitted to be
omitted, the subject of the registration should be published word by word. If the
advertisement takes more than one issue of the paper, the last day of advertisement is
considered the completion date of advertisement. The number and date of registration
must appear or request paper, securities, and advertising newspaper, and must be
recorded.
Article 33: Subjects awaiting court decisions or those concerning which the registration
officers have some question could, by the request of the interested parties, be temporarily
registered. If within six months of the temporary registration the matter is settled, it is
permanently registered according to the, law, otherwise it is omitted from the registry.
Article 34: If the registered item, in all or in part, should no longer exist, the registered
item could, on written request of the concerned parties, ( which should be accompanied
by necessary supporting papers), be omitted in whole or in part as necessary. For items
whose registration it was necessary to advertise, their omission is advertised as well.
Article 35: In regard in execution of the registration by the officer of registration, the
omission and changes related to thereof, submitted by an interested party, could be
objected to by relevant officers of registration. Such objection is given the consideration
of the court and a decision will be made. In the case the method followed by registration
of officers should also affect a third party, the matter should be taken by the court, heard,
and a decision made as a legal case in presence of the third person and the objector.
Article 36: Anyone may study the contents of a registry and the recorded papers related
thereto to investigate their corrections, and they may request an authenticated copy of the
registration.
Remark: In such cases, a certification fee is charged as follows:
a. For each study (one Afghani)
b. For receiving a copy with no confirmation and certification (5 Afghanis)
c. For receiving a certified copy (20 Afghanis)
Article 37: The individuals required to register who have not done so are subjects to
compensate those individuals who have been affected by this negligence. Moreover, by
recommendation of registration officer to the related court, such a person could also be
fined in cash. Such people made to compensate for loss received by others can appeal to
court of appeals or to Supreme Court, provided the compensating money is placed in the
court safe or provided they submit a guarantee before the case is accepted for further
hearing.
Article 38: Subjects registered in the Registration Office can affect and have legal
competence in relation to a third party but the subjects not registered that legally should
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have been do not affect the third party, even though they have been advertised by special
channels. This much should be mentioned – that the obliged persons against other could
claim and prove their awareness of the matters that should have been registered.
Article 39: Individuals who, in bad faith, commit fraudulent acts in registering are subject
to a cash fine or imprisonment or both. These people for a period of time, are deprived of
the right of membership in Chambers of Commerce and industry, and are not allowed to
carry out transactions in stock exchanges.
Demand for reimbursement of losses on the part of others because of this
fraudulent act is permitted and the Court should give consideration to it whenever the
demanding person requests it.
Chapter Five
Business Title
Article 40: Every merchant is obliged to sign and execute his business transactions under
a definite title known to be his business title.
Article 41: Every merchants whether alone or in partnership with another, and also every
commercial company must register and advertise his or its business title in the
Registration Office of the district where his or its business office is located or where
business transaction are taking place.
Article 42: The business title should be composed of names of the merchants and his
family and must be clearly distinguishable from titles already registered. Every merchants
can add and bring changes to his business title provided this change does not create any
wrong impression about the identification of the merchants himself, or about the
existence of his close partner in the mind of a third party.
Article 43: The title of a general partnership (Kollektif Sirkat in Turkish, Sherkat
Tazamoni in Dari) must be composed of the names of all partners, or it should, at least,
contain the name of one partner and include the word "Tazamoni",or general partnership.
A special partnership (Sherkat TazamoniMekhtalet in Dari, Komad in Turkish)
company is organized on the ordinary basis of its capital being divided into shares. As
mentioned in Article 42, the titles contains the name of one of the partners who will have
an unlimited responsibility plus the term "Tazamoni Mekhtalet", or special partnership.
The field of activity and purpose plus the term "joint stock company" is indicated
the title of joint stock company (Sherkat Sahami). The name may appear in the title of
such company.
Article 44: In case a merchant should have registered his business title in a locality,
another merchant, even if he should happen to have a name to make this the same title,
cannot, unless bringing a change in it to distinguish it from the title previously registered,
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use this title in that locality as a business title or as a title for carrying out a business
transaction. Also, if a merchant or company wishes to open a branch in a locality
different from the one in which he or it has registered, and if there is another business
going on by that name, there has to be a change in the title of the newcomer business in
such a way as to make it clearly distinguishable from the one previously registered there.
Article 45: As the transaction of a business title or the separation of the title from the
business firm is not permissible, similarly in the case of transfer of one business firm, if
the business title is not specifically provided the title of the business cannot be
transferred.
Article 46: Upon the sale of a business, the sellers shall be responsible for their acts and
obligations pertaining to operations prior to the data of sale. Likewise, profits and gains
accruing from operations prior to sale shall be credited to the sellers of the business. Any
provision to the contrary shall be specified in the contract of sale, shall be registered at
the Business Registration Office, and shall be advertised in an appropriate trade paper to
inform persons concerned with those transactions. Obligations of the buyer, deriving
from the above provisions, expire at the end of five years if not appropriately assorted by
the seller.
Article 47: If, upon transfer or grant of a business, the grantee (the one to whom the
business is transferred) has not agreed in the grant contract to accept responsibility for all
obligations prior to the grant, and has not registered it, the grantee is not responsible for
the obligation of the grantor.
Article 48: The buyer of a business who has acquired a business according to Article 46
shall include in the title of the business subsequently and appropriate phrase to show his
operation as the successor of the seller. Failure to do so makes the seller (or the
transferor) who has agreed with the buyer (or transferee) to use the business title
responsible for all obligations which the buyer has rendered under the same title.
However, this is conditioned to the fact that if the debts are received due to an appeal of
the creditors, by the court, the seller would not be responsible any more.
Article 49: In the case of the death of a partner whose name was a part of the title of a
company, if the heirs of the deceased continue in the business, the title of the company
should not be changed. If the heirs do not participate in the company and give a written
approval to the effect that the name of the deceased partner could be used, the title of the
company need not be changed.
Article 50: In case the title of a business is changed, the contents Articles 41 are applied.
Article 51: In case a person intentionally uses the business title of another, on his
merchandise files, letters, and articles related to his business, or sells or offers the goods
marked under the title of another business, he is liable to find or imprisonment or both;
provided that there should not be any interference with the contents of Article 54
application of the punishment of this Article is restricted to suits brought by an
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individual. The accuser can take back his complained but this will also invalidate the suit
regarding the common rights.
Article 52: Those deviating from Articles 40, 41, and 42 and the last paragraph of Article
43 and from Article 45 are fined in cash.
Article 53: All courts and officials of Chambers of Commerce, industries, and the
registration office, when informed about business title not having been registered, and
which is contrary to Article 40, 41, 42 and 43, are supposed to inform the related
authorities.
Article 54: Regardless of the manner in which a business title is used contrary to the
contents of this subchapter, the concerned parties can ask for the prohibition of its use or,
if registered, can ask for its invalidation. Moreover, if others should happen to have
suffered loses through the use of such titles, regardless of whether the title was used
intentionally or through mistake, those who have suffered are entitled to claim the loses
suffered by them. The court can investigate the matter and the loses suffered, through
informed sources, and decide as it thinks proper. In addition to the above, if the accusers
wishes and agrees to pay the expenses, he can public the findings of the decision of the
court.
Subchapter F – Illegal Competition
Article 55: If the marks or names used by a merchant should interfere with those used by
another merchant, and causes doubts, the use of such marks and names is not allowed for
the firstmentioned merchant. In case a person uses such interfering signs, though not
through any fault, the court can order the removal of names and designation if the
interested party so requests.
Article 56: Any kind of fraudulent act and cheating is prohibited in commercial activities.
Article 57: A merchant, for the purpose of competition, cannot publicize untrue
statements such as will prove injurious to the interest and business of a fellow merchant.
Article 58: A merchant is not allowed to publicize statements contrary to fact about the
origin, quality, and importance of his merchandise to attract the customers of another
merchant who sells the same goods; or to publicize certificates and awards which have
not really been received by him, or to commit fraud for the same purpose.
Article 59: No merchant is allowed to bribe the employees of other merchants or
factories for the purpose of receiving information about customers and attracting their
customers.
Article 60: A merchant cannot give a letter of certificate of good services and conduct to
a person for the purpose of fooling another merchant.
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Article 61: A merchant acting contrary to the above Articles is subject to payment of the
losses suffered by others.
Article 62: In case a commercial information agent, whether intentionally or through
negligence, issues false statements concerning the financial strength and moral conduct of
a merchant, the agent is subject to pay the losses suffered by the merchant. To correct his
statement will not acquit the agent. The court, in addition to ordering him to pay the
losses, can also order the agent to pay for the publicity of the problem to be made known
to the public through one or several papers.
Article 63: A merchant who has intentionally committed acts in violation of this Chapter,
in addition to paying the losses suffered by others, is subject to fine and imprisonment as
well.
Article 64: If a person receives punishment or pays for losses, and repeats the same act
again, his punishment may be doubled. A complaint leading to the punishment of a
person can be made only by an interested person or by a local Chamber of Commerce.
Withdrawal of the personal complaint invalidates the common rights.
Subchapter G – Commercial Books
Article 65: Every merchant must keep three books – a book showing his capital, a ledger,
and a journal. Moreover, he must regularly keep a copy of all outgoing letters and
telegrams and the original of all incoming letters and telegrams with all papers relating to
the payment.
Article 66: A merchant may, if he keep other books for his business but these books are
not subject to the regulations mentioned in the following Articles.
Article 67: The merchant does not have to enter everything personally on the books; he
may hire a person to do so, but the merchant himself is personally responsible for
anything in his books.
Article 68: The books kept according to Article 65 are to be taken personally by the
merchant or his agent to the local registration office for marking and sealing. The
registration should mark all the pages with ink and seal them. Then the office will note
the total sheets of each book on its first and last pages. After nothing the date besides the
seals of the first and last pages, the registration office should also include there a certified
signature.
Article 69: The book containing the asset items of the merchant should contain the
following:
a. The cash on the first day, as well as the approximate value of all movable and
immovable goods and properties specified for his business, as well as the value of
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all shares and bonds issued based on current prices, and all the receivable claims
whether based on documents or otherwise.
b. All receivables and credits due by virtue of contracts or any other means.
c. After determination of net assets, that is, assets minus liabilities, the merchant at
the end of each financial year must prepare a balance sheet indicating assets and
liabilities of his business. The balance sheet must be made out at least once a year.
Article 70: At the start of the business, when the real capital of the merchant is
determined according to Article 69, and is recorded in the daily journal, all transactions
relating to buying and selling, whether commercial or ordinary, as well as his personal
expenses, shall be noted by daily in the journal.
Article 71: All correspondence by the merchant should be briefly registered in an
indicator filing system in original and copy, as well as all outgoing and incoming letters
and telegrams.
Article 72: All decisions reached by the general assembly and the board of directors,
with the names of all those present and the date of the meeting, and such other
information which might complete the record of the meeting, should be entered into the
Decision Book and undersigned, in the name of the company, by all those authorized to
do so.
Article 73: Merchants or their successors who might continue in business must keep the
required books (from the date of the last entry mentioned in the books), and letters and
telegrams from their date for a period of fifteen years.
Article 74: All books and related commercial correspondence pertaining to inheritance,
partnership, or bankruptcy, at the time of their surrender can be investigated both by the
court and by interested parties.
Article 75: During the hearing of a disputable case, the court can, by its own wish or by
the request of one of the parties, order the commercial books and papers to be shown.
Article 76: In case the books and papers to be shown are in the possession of a court
different from the one in which the case is heard, and if it is difficult to show them in the
court, the court can formally request the other court having possession of the required
papers to send a correct and reliable copy of the required parts.
Article 77: The responsibility which arises from not having necessary commercial books
or the fact that books have not been legally and properly kept rests personally on the
owner of a business and the merchant cannot put the blame on others and acquit himself.
Article 78: In case the necessary commercial books are destroyed by such accident as
fire or other hazards during the time in which they were supposed to be kept safely, the
merchant or his legal agent in a month's time should bring the matter to the attention of
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the related court. The court after investigation and after satisfying itself with the accuracy
of the matter , will provide the person with certificate to this affect.
Article 79: During a dispute between two merchants over business transactions, the legal
commercial books could be used, under the terms mentioned in Articles 80 and 84, as
evidence.
Article 80: The contents of the legal business books may be used against the owner or
his followers and descendents, regardless of whether legally kept or not, but these
contents cannot be used to the advantage and benefit of the possessor unless kept
according to the regulations affecting such books.
Article 81: If the contents of the books of a merchant are according to regulations but
should be contradictory to the contents of books of another merchant, the contents of the
books of any one of the parties, if proved false with strong evidence and reliable reason,
could lose their effect as evidence.
Article 82: If the books of a merchant are legally kept and the books of the opposite
party are illegally kept, or if he should not happen to have any books, or if he refuses to
submit his books for examination, the contents of the books of the firstmentioned
merchant could be used against the second one , but if the second merchant proves the
falsehood of all the statements brought against him with strong reasons and evidence, the
contents of the books of the first merchant lose their proving effect.
Article 83: If a merchant agrees in court to accept the contents of the books of an
opposition party, and if the opposition party refuses to submit his books for examination,
the court may make a decision favorable to the first merchant, according to the judgment
of the court.
Article 84: In case the court finds the contents of the books of a merchant kept according
to the law, and wishes to use these contents in favor of the owner, the court can, for the
sake of satisfying itself as to the accuracy of these contents, and fulfilling its moral
obligation, undertake an additional investigation, and after satisfying itself can make the
necessary decision. This supplementary investigation should in no way more than fifteen
days.
Subchapter H – Business Agents
Article 85: A person delegated by a merchant to engage in the business activities of the
merchant in any locality, whether it be that of the business center or not, is called a
business agent for the merchant.
Article 86. A merchant is responsible for those activities and transactions of his agent
which he has delegated to him. If a person is agent for more than one merchant, each
merchant is responsible in turn for the transactions of the agent. If a person should
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happen to be delegated as an agent by a business firm, the responsibility of each of the
partners, or stockholders, of the firm will determined by the kind of business.
Article 87: The agency right to person is delegated explicitly or incidentally. The
document showing the explicit agency must be registered in the registration office of the
locality in which the agent is working and it should also be advertised in that locality.
Otherwise, the contents of Article 88 are applied.
Article 88: If a person is an undisclosed agent of a merchant, the agent's right as far as
third parties is concerned is unlimited and his Agency includes all transactions that can be
made during that specific business. If the agent should enter into business transaction
with a third party, and if the principal should be precluded from proving that the third
party knew of the limitation of the agent's rights during the course of the transaction, the
claim of the principal regarding the limitation of his agent's rights against the party is not
valid.
Article 89: If an agent executes his transactions always in the name of the principal,
namely, the owner of the establishment, he must, at the time of signing, put beside his
name the name of the merchant and his identify or his business title and add the word
"for" or an equivalent word; otherwise, he will be personally responsible for transactions
that he has executed. If other people face problem with the agent in transactions that are
delegated to him, they can also bring suit against the principal.
Article 90: In case a person goes into an agency without being authorized by a merchant,
and his transactions do not receive the approval and certification of the merchant, the
selfappointed agent is subject to pay the losses suffered by an innocent third person.
Article 91: An agent cannot, without the explicit approval of his principal, execute any
transactions in his own name or in the name of or in partnership with other persons. An
agent deviating from this is subject to pay any loss suffered through his transactions. But
if the agent in doing so makes a profit, the merchant is entitled to it.
Article 92: Invalidating or limiting an agent's right is subject to registration and
advertisement.
Article 93: An agent can bring suit against others in the Court in the name of his Principal
regarding the transactions such Debts and etc, delegated to him and others can also bring
suit against the agent.
Article 94: The contents of this chapter are applicable for the agents of foreign firms, in
whose names they are executing transactions in Afghanistan.
Subchapter I – Commercial Traveler Agents
Article 95. Those employees allowed and permitted by a merchant, through letters,
advertisements, or circulars and other documents of this sort, sent to other places, to carry
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out business transactions, are called traveler agents. The principal of such agents are
responsible for the results of those businesses which have been delegated to these agents.
Article 96: The contents of Article 89 are also applicable to traveler agents but these
agents, when signing, cannot use the word "for" or its equivalent. They must write just
the names of their principal.
Article 97: Just as the traveler agents are not supposed to take substitute for the goods
they themselves have not given, they cannot prolong payment of the price or reduce the
amount thereof, but they can in the name of their principal accept propositions made in
the name of their principals and take such actions as might be necessary to safeguard the
interests of their principals.
Subchapter J – Salesmen
Article 98: Persons authorized to sell goods in commercial establishments, whether retail
or wholesale, are called salesmen. Salesmen are entitled to claim and receive the price of
goods sold by them on the premises. In the absence of a formal authorization from the
principal, the agent is not authorized to solicit and receive from buyers payment for
merchandise sold other than on the sales premises.
Subchapter K – Brokerage
Article 99: A person not specifically committed to the service of either of two business
parties, who acts, for a fee, as mediator to facilitate the execution of a business
transaction and chooses this as his profession, is called a broker. Brokers are entitled to
the rights and bound by the obligations in this chapter.
Article 100: If contracting parties do not want documents, or if because of local custom
the documentation because of the kind of goods should not be deemed necessary, the
broker must give both parties documents containing the names and complete identities of
the contracting parties as well as the terms of contract, the kind and quantity, and the time
of delivery of the goods. These documents should be arranged just after the conclusion of
the contract and should be signed by the broker.
Article 101: Concerning transactions not necessarily taking place at once, documents
should be signed by contracting parities, and the document signed by one should be given
to other. In case one of the parties should refuse to sign or accept the document, the
broker must at once inform the other party.
Article 102: The broker is responsible for the accuracy of the signature of both parties on
the document which is executed by him, and also for the accuracy of the last of the
endorsers.
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Article 103: If the broker by whom the transaction has taken place arranges the
document in such a way as to leave identify of the second party to be known in the future;
and if the first party accepts the document and after identify of the second party becomes
known makes no objection, the party accepting the document is obliged to use the terms
of the real contract. The time during which the identify of the other party should be
known depends on local custom, and in the absence of such custom is determined as
seems appropriate. If the identify of the unknown party should not be known during the
prescribed time, or if it should be known but the other party should have objections to it,
the accepting party is entitled to claim the execution of the transaction by the broker
personally or bring suit against him. In spite of this if the accepting party does take
advantage of the situation when the broker refers to him, his claim will not be heard. In
case the broker executed the transaction personally the rights which according to the
contract belong to the other party are owned by the broker.
Article 104: The broker must keep samples of all goods sold by him until such time as
transactions are completed. If both parties disregard explicitly the keeping of samples, or
if according to local custom because of the kind of the goods it should not be deemed
necessary to keep samples, the broker can dispose of the deposited samples. Brokers
should mark the samples for the completion and verification of the transaction.
Article 105: The broker does not have authority to accept the price or the goods
prescribed in the contract.
Article 106: The broker should behave as an efficient and honest merchant. The broker is
responsible for losses caused, to each of the parties, by his negligence.
Article 107. To side with one of the parties to such an extent as to interfere with fair
mediation, or to profit from one side with bad faith in mind for the other, invalidates the
broker's claim for his fee and brokerage expenses.
Article 108: After the completion of a business deal, or if subject to a condition after a
realization of condition and completion of the contract, the broker is entitled to claim his
fee. This claim is valid for one year from the date on which the contact has been made. If
the contract should not take place, or if the condition should not be realized, the broker is
not entitled to the fee for actions he may have taken.
Article109: (in the eng book ? ) The amount of a broker's fee is determined by agreement
and regulations. In case no such agreement or regulation should exist, it is determined
according to local custom.
Article 110: If the payment of reasonable expenses is not subject to the completion of the
transaction, the broker is entitled to claim it.
Article 111: In case both parties have not decided who should pay the broker's fee, and if
there are no regulations governing, the matter should be settled through local custom. In
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the absence of local custom to this effect, half of the fee should be paid by each of the
parties.
Article 112: The broker must record all transactions taking place by his mediation and
according to Article 100, he should daily sign in the journal for each transaction entered
by him. The contents of the Articles concerning the daily journal of the merchants are
applicable to the journal of the broker; the broker must give a sign, whenever one of the
parties requests for the copy of his daily journal related to the transaction.
Articles 113: The court, in order to prove the details of a case, can ask for the original of
copy of the document and other papers as well as the daily journal of the broker as it
deems necessary.
Article 114: A broker acting contrary to the Articles relating to his daily journal is fined a
cash amount.
Article 115: Persons doing brokerage among small businessman are not subject to the
content of the Articles relating to the document and journal.
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Chapter II Commercial Companies
Subchapter A – General Regulations
?
Articles 116: Commercial companies are those companies (shirkat) which are created
for the purpose of carrying out commercial activities in one or several localities.
Article 117: Commercial companies are of the following kinds:
a. General partnership ( SherkatTazamoni in Dari, Kollektif Sirkat in Turkish)
b. Special Partnership (SherkatTazamoniMokhtalat in Dari, KomonditSirkat in
Turkish)
c. Limited liability company (SherkateMahdudulMassoliat in Dari, Limited Sirkat in
Turkish)
d. Corporation (Sherkat Sahami in Dari, Anonim Sirkat in Turkish)
e. Cooperative ( Sherkat Toohwine) companies
Article 118: Commercial companies can have legal existence and therefore are entitled
to contract and promise under their own title, and execute transactions. These companies
can appear in the courts as debtors or creditors, and own movable and immovable
properties.
Article 119: Items taken as capital in commercial firms are as follows:
a. Movable material goods, as cash, articles, and animals
b. Nonmaterial movable goods, as royalties, patents, trade marks (commercial,
industrial)
c. Any kind of immovable property
d. Profits and privilege from the use of movable and immovable properties
e. Products and processes
f. Commercial credit and good will
g. Business center (place of business)
Article 120: The right of establishment, of rent, of name, of title, of patent, of trade mark,
of models and drawings which are used in commercial and industrial services, are
considered as elements of the business firm.
Article 121: Any partner having promised to pay his share of the capital of the company
is indebted to and responsible to the company. Therefore, if partner should be late in
paying the company, and if he is responsible for a loss suffered by the company, he must
pay this to the suffering firm.
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Article 122: If the share of the capital should be of cash kind by delay in payment of
which the company has suffered, in addition to the loss that should be paid in accordance
with Article 121, the merchant at fault should also pay the legal interest on it from the
date it was due.
Article 123: If a partner, in place of his share in the capital of the firm, should direct the
firm to collect the claims he has on other people, until such time as these claims have
been collected by the company the partner is responsible to the firm. There being no
understanding to the contrary if payment on the part of others indebted to the partner of
the firm should fall due within one month from the date of the establishment of the firm,
they must be collected. If the money cannot be collected in a month, the interest on them
must be paid proportional to the time elapsed. If part of the claims should be collected,
the uncollected part is also subject to this regulation.
Article 124: The price of articles brought in as capital must be determined in the contract.
If this has not been done, the price used in the market on the day the articles are brought
to the firm should be taken as the base. In case there should not be such articles on the
market, or there should not be their prices in the stock exchange on that day, the opinions
of informed individuals should be respected by both parties.
Article125: The ownership of goods brought to the firm as capital is delegated to the
company unless understanding should exist to the contrary.
Article 126: Regarding payment of interest for loss or damage, as mentioned in Articles
121, 122, and 123, prior information to the party concerned is not necessary. This
provision does not negate the termination rights of the partner as contained in Article
175.
Article 127: Every partner is supposed to supervise the affairs of the firm as that of his
private business with honesty and good will.
Article 128: None of the partners are entitled to ask for a wage for the work they do
regarding company affairs, unless this is mentioned in the contract.
Article 129: Each of the partners is responsible for whatever loss may be suffered by the
company through his negligence, fault, or deviation from his line of authority and duty.
He cannot escape this loss because he has been useful to the company somewhere else.
Article 130: If employees of a company are paid bonuses and rewards for the services
they render out of profits which the company makes, the employees are not considered
partners of the company. Although this payment, partially or wholly, may constitute a
gain in behalf of these employees, this payment will not have the quality of a partnership.
Article 131: If the division of profit and loss are to be distributed is not mentioned in the
contract, each person receives his profit and loss proportional to his capital.
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Article 132: If the division of either loss or profit is mentioned in the contract, the other
is also distributed in that manner.
Article 133: If the written agreement should restrict the profit to one or some of the
partners, or if it excludes one or some of the partners from the loss, such agreement is not
valid. In such case the distribution is taken as unknown and the profit and loss should be
distributed in accordance with Article 131 among the partners. In the case of a partner
whose endeavors and work is taken as capital in the firm, and who is not affected by the
loss of the firm according to written agreement, this arrangement is valid.
Article 134: If a company with definite stated term of existence continues to do business
after the expiration of that period, it will be construed as having an indeterminate or
indefinite existence thereafter.
General Partnership
Part One
Article 135: A general partnership is one which is established under a definite title for
the purpose of carrying out business transactions of two or more persons with collective
responsibility. If the ownership of the company should not suffice to pay the debts of the
company, each of the partners is responsible to pay all the debts of the company.
Article 136: General partnership companies should have written contracts.
Article 137: The contracts of the general partnership companies must contain the
following items:
a. Date of contract
b. Name, identify, address, and such information as might distinguish the partners. If
another company be a partner, the title of that company.
c. business location
d. The fact the company is a general partnership company
e. The title of the company
f. The names of all the partners authorized to sign in the name of the company with
the explanation as to whether these people are singly or collectively authorized to
sign
g. Subject of business
h. The capital share of each partner and the approximate value of noncash capital
with the manner in which this approximation has been reached
i. Each partner's share in loss and profit
j. The date of establishment and termination of the company, and such other items
as the partners might think useful.
Article 138: Within a month from the date the a branch outside the region where it is
registered, it must register its contract details in the locality company is established,
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persons establishing a general partnership company must register and advertise a copy of
the contract in the locality where the office of the company is situated.
Article 139: If a general partnership company should establish as well.
Article 140: After a company has been registered and advertised, if any changes are
brought in a general partnership company regarding its title, its business location
authorized signing partners, withdrawal or conclusion of partners, increase or decrease of
capital, going out of business before or continuing beyond the specified period, or joining
another company – all these details must be put in a statement signed by all partners. This
statement, together with the proper supporting documents, should be submitted to the
related court for certification, after which it should be registered and advertised.
Article 141: Details that must be registered and advertised according to Articles 138,139,
and 140, cannot be used against a third person before registration and advertisement. If
before registration and advertisement a transaction should have taken place in the name
of the company, the company is responsible to the third party. In case the company has
not been registered and advertised, and if the partners should not admit the existence of
the company, third parties could, by whatever means and evidence, prove the existence of
the company.
Article 142: If the registration and advertisement of a general partnership company has
not taken place during the period of time prescribed in Article138, and does not take
place later, each of the partners is entitled to ask from the related court the dissolution,
but must first inform the partners, through the registration office, about the matter. In
case the court agrees to the dissolution, the dissolution is in effect in the case of the
partner asking dissolution from the data of advertisement. If the company should be
dissolved in this manner, until the end of registration and advertisement, whatever
transactions are made in the name of company do not damage the interest of third parties.
Part I – Relation among Partners
Article 143: Partner relationships are affected by the written agreement among the
partners of a general partnership company. Where there is nothing implicit in the
agreement to this effect, the contents of this Chapter apply.
Article 144: According to the written agreement, if not explicit, the administration of the
company, with the majority vote, could be delegated to one, a few, or all of the partners,
or delegated to a person or persons outside the company. If the administration of the
company has not been delegated to anyone in the manner mentioned above, each of the
partners may be considered authorized to the affairs of the company.
Article 145: In case the administration authority of the director is determined according
to the written agreement of the company, the partners cannot limit his authority or
dismiss him. If strong reason should exist, that is , if the director neglects his duties or is
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unable to administer the authority of the director could be limited or he could be
dismissed upon request of one of the partners to the Court.
Article 146: A director appointed after the written agreement and by the decision of the
partners can be dismissed by majority vote. If a majority vote is not received for his
dismissal, any one of the partners can refer the matter to court and, with strong and valid
reasons, ask his dismissal.
Article 147: If the administration of the company should be delegated to all or some of
the partners, each of them singly is authorized to administer. If some of the partners
responsible for the administration of the company should not agree with the execution of
a certain matter, the other authorized partners can settle this with a majority vote. If it is
mentioned in the agreement of the company that decisions should be reached by the
alliance of the administering partners, this should be observed unless an emergency exists
where delay might prove injurious. If the directors should not be able to reach an
agreement in voting, the matter should be brought to the attention of the general meeting
of the partners for decision.
Article 148: Ordinary matters and transactions effecting the purpose and subject of the
company relate to the administration of the company. Where the director finds it
profitable for the company, he is authorized to take action and judge. Important matters
such as contributions, price, transfer of immovable properties, securities, and other
matters which are other than ordinary activities must be decided by vote of the partners.
Article 149: If a partner should take a loan from the company or collect a sum of money
in the name of the company (provided there is not anything against this is in the written
agreement), and does not pay this sum in due time to the company, in addition to paying
the original sum he has to pay interest for the late period as well.
Article 150: No partner is allowed to transfer his share to a person outside the company in
part or in full without the approval of the other partners. In case such a transfer does take
place, it is of no effect to the partners or the third parties, and loss caused by the act is
solely directed towards the transferring person.
Article 151: A partner authorized to administer the company cannot, without the approval
of other partner, accept an outside as a partner in the company, or substitute him for
himself in the administration.
Article 152: If in the bylaws or contract of the organization of the company there is a
condition for payment of interest for the paid capital, this stipulation is acceptable.
Article 153: The business duration of the company is until the end of the lives of the
partners, unless otherwise specified in the contract. In spite of this, if a company's
duration is not definite and the nature of business activities is such as to limit the
existence of the company, its life span is considered that of the date of compilation of the
activities.
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Article 154: A partner who is not the director is entitled to get information on the
activities of the company as well as its financial status. A contract negating this fact is not
valid.
Article 155: Decision regarding a alterations and adjustment of the contract should be
made with the agreement of the partner and other decisions should be reached through the
majority vote of the partners, unless otherwise stated in the contract.
Article 156: The director, at the end of each fiscal year, according to a balance, should
prepare the profit and loss statement of the company and determine the share of each
partner according to it.
Article 157: A partner, without the agreement of the partner, cannot be made to complete
his share of the loss of capital, but the mount of loss of capital of the partner could be
paid from the profit made in subsequent years, unless there should exist in the contract a
provision different from this.
Article 158: A partner cannot execute a business transaction of the company in which he
is a partner as a separate transaction in his own or someone else's account without the
approval of the other partners. Similarly, he cannot be a responsible member of another
company which might be engaged in the same kind of business. If the partners of a newly
established company should happen to know that one of the company, at the time of
joining the company, has been a responsible member of another company, and if the
company do not decide explicitly on his separation from the other company, his
membership in the other company is considered to have been accepted.
Article 159: If a partner should act contrary to Article 158, the company is entitled to
claim for losses or the company can accept transactions made in the name of the partner
or in the name of al third person in the name of the company. The preferences of one of
the above two steps rests on the decision of the partners. If the partners should not protest
within six months of the date they are informed that their partner is a member of another
company, or within six months of the date they are informed of the execution of his
transactions, their right to protest is invalid, but they are entitled to ask the dissolution of
the company.
Part III – The Relation of the Partners with Third Parties
Article 160: A general partnership company, as far as third parties are concerned, is in
existence as of the date of registration and advertisement.
Article 161: The partners' relationship with the third party is bound up with the persons
who have the control and ownership of the company except where provisions have been
made to the contrary in the bylaws and have been registered and announced.
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Article 162: The manager appointed on behalf of a company may, in that capacity, sign
all legal transactions in the name off the company and bind the company on his
individual performance. Provision may also be made to negotiate through agents if they
act in good faith and good intention on behalf of the company. Provision may also be
made, if formally authorized, for a group of the shareholders to bind the company on
their actions.
Article 163: The transactions made by the directors of the company in the name of the
company relating to the company itself must be debited and credited regardless of
whether explicitly stated or not.
Article 164: The partners are responsible collectively and individually for the debts of
the company. Any term contradicting this statement shall not be valid as far as third
parties are concerned.
Article 165: As far as debts and promises are concerned, suits could be brought first
against the company and, if in vain or if the company should be dissolved, against the
partners. In the meantime, the opposition party can ask, through the court, that the
properties of the partners be under control.
Article 166: Any decision proclaimed by the special court with respect to the operations
of the company shall not be individually applicable to the shareholders of the company.
Article 167: In the case of bankruptcy or liquidation of a general partnership company,
the debtors of the company have priority over the personal debtors of the partners.
Article 168: The bankruptcy of the company is not taken as the bankruptcy of the
partners. But if the bankrupt company should not be able to fulfill the demands of the
debtors, the debtors can claim a suit against the partners, and if their property should not
suffice the claim then the partners are taken as bankrupt by the court. Among the personal
creditors, those who have legal claim upon the assets of the company have priority claims
before the partners of the company.
Article 169: Partners of bankrupt companies, because of their capital contribution, may
not withdraw or make other uses of company assets. However, they may claim their loans
and other claims from the company just like the creditors of the company.
Article 170: A person indebted to the company cannot escape the debt if a partner of the
company is indebted to him. Neither can a partner escape the debt he owes to the
company if a person indebted to him happens to owe the company. But if a debtor of the
company according to the Article 165 and 168, should not be able to receive his money,
and if he refers to the partners, and if the partner happens to have personal claim on the
debtor of the company, in that case he can use his claim to pay the debt of the company.
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Part IV – Dissolution, Examination, Expulsion of Partners
and Amalgamation with other Companies
Article 171: A general partnership could be dissolved in the following ways:
1.With the expiration of the duration of the company.
2.With the unified opinion of the partners (provided that the bylaws of the company
make no indication that such a resolution shall be made by the majority vote of
the partners).
3.With the decision of bankruptcy of the company by the court, or by the agreement
of the partners and debtors on the bankruptcy of the company.
4.With the decision of the court, based on the strong and true reasons submitted by
one or more partners to the effect of its dissolution.
5.With the completion of the activities of the company.
6.With an announcement by a partner to the effect that the company is dissolved,
provided he has sufficient authority based on the contents of the contract
7.With the announcement of dissolution by one of the partners when the company's
duration should be indefinite.
8.With the loss of twothird of the capital, provided the partners do not complete the
capital or are not satisfied with the remaining capital.
9.With annexation to another company.
Article 172: After the dissolution of the company, the directors are not supposed to
execute transactions in the name and account of the dissolved company. If they act
otherwise, the responsibility that so arises is directed toward the directions without
limitation until such time as the dissolution is legally registered and advertised, and all
the partners have responsibility to the third parties.
Article 173: If the contract of company should exclude certain reasons as the causes of
dissolution, it is valid, but if it absolutely excludes all the reasons as the cause of
dissolution, it is invalid.
Article 174: If a company should be established for an unlimited period, any of the
partners can, at least six months before the end of the transactional year, inform the
partners through announcement issued by the registration office intention to dissolve the
company.
Article 175: Companies established for limited or unlimited duration may be dissolved
by decision of the court, through the request of a company presenting strong reasons.
The strong reasons which cause the dissolution of a company are as follows:
1. Impossibility of realization of the purpose of the company for any reason.
2. Dishonesty of a partner whether in administrative or accounting affairs
3. The principal duties delegated to a partner not being performed.
4. Misusing the title or the properties of the company by a partner for personal
benefits.
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5. Disqualification and incompetence of a partner because of a continued sickness,
or other reasons which will disable him to take part in the business affairs of the
company.
Article 176: In order for a request to be heard to dissolve a company because of failure of
a partner to supply his share of the capital, a warning must first be sent to the partner.
Article 177: If the duration of a company should be limited, or if it should depend on the
life of one of the partners, after the duration or the death of the partner the company is
considered existing for an unlimited period of time in order to complete outstanding
business transactions.
Article 178: If it should be stipulated in the contract of the company that the company is
considered dissolved in case of the death, bankruptcy or incompetence of one of the
partners, the heir of the deceased, the legal financial executor of the bankruptcy, or the
legal counsel or custodian of the incompetent should without delay inform the partners of
the matter. If the delay should prove injurious to the business of the company, until such
time as the partners will reach a unified decision about the matter, the legal executors of
the company should execute the business of the company. Also, every partner delegated
to a specific job should continue temporarily in that capacity. In such a case the
temporary administration is in effect, the company is considered to exit.
Article 179: If there should not be an understanding about the continuation of the
business of the company with the heir of a deceased partner, the partners, after the death
of one of them, with the approval of his heirs, can continue the company. If the heir does
not happen to agree, the partners can pay out his shares and go on with the business of the
company.
Article 180: In case of the death of a partner, if the continuation of the company by the
heirs of the deceased and the rest of the partners is clearly stated in the contract, it is up to
the heirs to decide their contribution or separation form the company as a general
partnership partner. In case the heir agrees to go on with the company, the rest of the
partners must agree with him. But if the heir should not agree to go on an a general
partnership company member, he can request to be accepted in the company as a partner
but with a limited responsibility proportional to the capital and shares of the deceased
partner, and the decision to accept his request is up to the rest of the partners.
Article 181: The heirs of the deceased partner must make their decision know within one
month of the death of the partner whether they will remain in the company as a general
partnership company member. During this month they will be considered as partners with
limited liability. If they do not make their decision know during one month as limited
liability partners, after the expiration of that date they will be taken as a general
partnership company partner. If the heir be minors, regardless of the contents of the
contract they cannot be considered as members of the general partnership company, but
with the request of their guardians or executors they can be accepted with limited
responsibilities, if the rest of the partners so agree.
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Article 182: If any partner becomes incompetent, the provisions of Articles 179 to 181
will be applicable.
Article 183: In case of the bankruptcy of one of the partners (unless otherwise stated in
the contract), the bankrupt partner is expelled from the company. In this case settlement,
regarding the rights of the bankrupt, will be carried out either through him or his legal
executor.
Article 184: If the request to dissolve a company should be made because of the reasons
related personally to one of the partners, the court can, on request of other partners and
after investigation, make a decision to continue the company and expel that partner.
Article 185: If a partner requests the dissolution of a company whose business duration
is unlimited, the rest of the partners can reject the dissolution, expel the partner, and
continue with the company.
Article 186: If a partner makes a request based on the rights prescribed in Article 175,
through the registration office, and announces the dissolution of a company whose term
of business is limited, the contents of Article 179 are applied to this situation.
Article 187: If a company is composed of two partners and one withdraws from the
company, the remaining partner may obtain a court order transferring title to all the assets
of the business without dissolution or liquidation. Settlement with the withdrawn partner
will be made in accordance with the provision of Article 190.
Article 188: If there should be only two partners in a company, and if a person to whom
a partner personally owes a debt should use his right to dissolve the company, as given
him in Article 195, or if one of the partners should go bankrupt, the other partner can,
within limitations established in Article 187, execute the business transactions of the
company in his own account.
Article 189: If the dissolution of a company should be based on a reason other than
bankruptcy, all the partners, according to Article 174, have to announce and register the
matter of dissolution of the company. This action in the case of the expulsion of one of
the partners from the company is also applicable. If the dissolution of the company or the
expulsion of the partner be caused by death, the above formalities should be observed by
all the partners including the heirs of the deceased.
Article 190: The shares of a partner who is expelled or who wishes to withdraw from a
company are determined out of the assets of the company as of the date the expulsion
demand has been made, unless otherwise stated in the contract.
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Article 191: In case the shares of a partner are determined in accordance with Article
190, the sum is paid in cash.
Article 192: The shares of a partner who is expelled, or who has requested to withdraw,
if the time of such settlement is indicated in the contract, shall be determined at that time.
However, if it is not determined, it shall be determined when the first balance sheet is
prepared, after the withdrawal of the partner is activated, the business is liquidated.
Article 193: A partner who is expelled, or has asked to withdraw, is to participate in the
privileges and responsibilities of the transactions taking place before the expulsion is put
into effect, but he cannot prevent the execution of transactions already acted upon and
decided by the rest of the partners. If the clearance of the accounts should not be possible
at once, he can ask, at the end of the accounting year, for the accounts of transactions
which have taken place during the year. He is also entitled to request information on
current transactions in progress at the end of the fiscal year.
Article 194: The expulsion or withdrawal of a partner, as it relates to third parties, is in
effect as of the date of registration and advertisement of this matter, and before that date
he is responsible to the third parties.
Article 195: If a person to whom a partner is personally indebted should not be able to
get his claim from the personal properties of the debtor, he can, at the time of clearance,
control through the court, the parts and shares of debtor in the company, or request the
dissolution of the company at the end of the fiscal year; provided this request is made six
months in advance. The company, or the rest of the partners can, before the order to
dissolve the company should become effective, pay the debt and invalidate the order.
Article 196: If the personal creditor of a partner should use his power, in accordance with
Article 195, to dissolve the company, the rest of the partners can decide upon the
expulsion of the indebted partner and the continuation of the company. Similarly, they
should inform the creditor. In this case, the partner is expelled at the end of the fiscal year
from the company.
Article 197: Two or more general partnership companies can merge with each other to
establish a new general partnership company, or both can join another existing general
partnership company.
Article 198: In order for a merger of a general partnership to be in effect, separate
decisions are to be made the related companies and should be registered and advertised.
Article 199: Each of the merged companies has to arrange its balance in unified forms
and should advertise them. They should also make decisions as to the manner in which
their debts will be paid and these decisions should accompany the balances.
Article 200: The decision to merge becomes effective three months after the date it has
been advertised. If the merged companies pay their debts, or deposit the equivalent
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amount in a recognized bank, or if the persons to whom they are indebted agree with the
merger, it is not necessary to wait three months. The receipt received from the bank for
the bank for the money deposited there should also be registered and established. Each of
the persons to whom the merged companies are indebted can, within three months,
submit a protest to court on the matter of the merger. Until such time as the protester
takes his protest back or the court has made the fiscal decision relating to the protestor,
the amalgamation cannot take place.
Article 201: If during the period mentioned in Article 200 there should not be any protest,
the matter of amalgamation become final. The remaining or the newly created companies
are the sole executor for all the rights and responsibilities of the previous companies. If
from the merged companies, a new company is created, its registration and advertisement
are necessary.
Part IV – Liquidation (Clearance) of General Partnership Companies
Article 202: If there should not be any arrangements about clearance or liquidation in the
contract of the company, clearance is executed in accordance with the contents of this
part.
Article 203: The clearance of general partnership companies is the responsibility of the
liquidating officers whose manner of election is set forth below:
Article 204: The liquidating officers (clearance officers) are either previously elected by
the partners as recorded in the contract of the company, ort elected afterwards by the
approval and decision of the partners. In this manner they could also be elected after the
dissolution on agreement of the partners. Otherwise, all the partners or their legal
executors are responsible for the clearance. In case of dissolution on request of any of the
partners, it is possible for the liquidating officers to be assigned by the related court.
Article 205: The liquidating officers, whether assigned by the court or by partners, are
assigned from among the partners or from outside.
Article 206: If the receivership or trusteeship in liquidation is composed of more than one
person, it is essential that they work as a unit in the affairs of the liquidation. If one is
delegated to perform independently on a given matter,, it is required that this be
advertised and registered in the Registration Office.
Article 207: A liquidating officer is not allowed to delegate his duties to another
liquidating officer or third party unless in the case of certain specific duties, in which case
he can, from among his fellow liquidators, choose one or more persons to carry out for
him, or give authority to a third person.
Article 208: In a company where transactions are under liquidation, one liquidating
officer is sufficient to negotiate with third parties. If there is no danger to the benefit of
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the company, the transaction which is performed by one of the liquidating officers is
valid.
Article 209: General partnership companies, after dissolution, until liquidation of a
affairs, could be considered to exist for the purpose of clearance.
Article 210: When a general partnership company is under clearance, on all papers
prepared in the name of the company the statement "Clearance of the general partnership
company" should be added and signed by authorized clearance officer or officers.
Otherwise no responsibility could be directed toward the company.
Article 211: The priority given to persons to whom the company is indebted over persons
to whom partners are personally indebted is protected even after the dissolution of the
company.
Article 212: If the assets of the company at the time of liquidation are insufficient to
satisfy the creditors, and there are reasons for bankruptcy, the court can issue the decision
to the effect of bankruptcy of the company.
Article 213: If the liquidating officers of the company are elected according to the
contract of the company from among the partners of the company before dissolution, they
could be dismissed by the unanimous vote of all partners. In case there is no unanimous
decision, the court can order such removal upon request of any one of the partners.
Article 214: If the liquidating officers of a company should have been elected from
among the partners after the dissolution, they can be dismissed by the unanimous vote of
the rest of the partners. If a unanimous vote is not received, the dismissal can take place
through the court, based upon the request of any of the partners with acceptable reasons.
Article 215: The liquidating officers not chosen from among the partners, elected either
according to the contract of the company or by the decision of the partners, can be
dismissed by the unanimous vote of the partners. If a unanimous vote is not received,
they can be dismissed through the request of any of the partners by the court.
Article 216: The liquidating officer appointed by the court can be dismissed only by the
court.
Article 217: At the time of dissolution of the company, if the receivers should previously
have been selected, or if they should have been appointed by the court or the partners
during the dissolution, the liquidating officers can invite the directors of the company to
participate – or if directors do not accept the invitation, they can invite the officers
themselves – in preparing an accounting report containing the assets of the company as
well as balance sheet. If the liquidating officers find it necessary, they can refer to other
informed persons to determine the value of the company's properties. The balance sheet
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and the assets accounts so arranged should be signed, in the presence of the liquidating
officers, by the directors of the company.
The liquidating officers, after the signing of the general accounts, place all the
properties of the dissolved company contained in the accounts, as well as its other papers,
under their control and charge.
Article 218: The clearance officers are responsible for the safety of the property and
rights of the dissolved company.
Article 219: The liquidating officers should execute the transactions started prior to
liquidation. They should pay the debts and other claims on the company in cash. If the
persons to whom debts are paid agree, the payment could be in kind. They should also
collect the company's claims on others, and convert properties of the company into cash.
These officers also execute all transactions and actions necessary for the collection of the
properties of the company as well as the distribution of properties among the partners.
Article 220: The right to represent the company while in the state of liquidation, in the
court and other places, rest with the liquidating officers.
Article 221: The liquidating officers cannot execute any new transactions not related to
liquidation. In case they do so, they must assume any responsibility that might arise from
such transactions.
Article 222: In case the liquidating officers are able to obtain any benefit for the
dissolving company by affecting a compromise, they are authorized to seek appointment
of a mediator toward this end, or enter negotiations to effect the compromise.
Article 223. The liquidating officers are permitted to sell the movable properties of the
dissolved company according to the interests of the company, whether at auction or
otherwise, but the immovable properties of the company, unless the opinion of the
partners be otherwise, could only be sold by auction. The presence of minors or
incompetents among the partners cannot prevent the sales of the movable and immovable
properties.
Article 224: The liquidating officers can – with the permission of the partners, if
appointed by them, or with permission of the court and unanimous opinion of the
partners, if appointed by the court – execute temporarily the transactions which constitute
the business of the company.
Article 225: The liquidating officers must pay the installment debts of a general
partnership company which is liquidating as soon as possible in a discount manner, and
the creditors of the company must accept this manner of payment.
Article 226: If the assets of a general partnership company should not balance claims on
the company, the liquidating officers can refer to the partners for full payment of the
debts of the company.
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Article 227: If partners do not agree unanimously, the liquidating officers cannot sell all
properties of the company in one lot.
Article 228: It is possible to extend or limit the legal authority of the liquidating officers
by the unanimous vote of the partners or by decision of the court, whichever agency
appointed them. In this case, the matter is to be registered and advertised. If the matter of
limitation of authority has not been registered and advertised, it is with no effect as far as
bona fide third parties are concerned.
Article 229: The liquidating officers, during the liquidation, are bound by the decision
made unanimously by the partners about the liquidation. In case of bankruptcy, death, or
incompetence of one of the partners, the contents of Article 230 are applicable.
Article 230: In case of bankruptcy, death, or incompetence of a partner, the right to
participate in the decision to appoint, dismiss, or give directions to the liquidating officers
is reserved to the lawyer or executor of the partner. The heir should unanimously appoint
a lawyer. If this cannot be done, the appointment of the lawyer is up to the court.
Article 231: The liquidating officers can, after retaining the necessary amount to satisfy
installments and payable debts of the company, distribute the remaining cash assets
among the partners.
Article 232: In order for the liquidation process to be well organized and accurate , the
officers must properly prepare the necessary books.
Article 233: The liquidation officers must report to the partners orally or in writing about
the status of liquidation affairs when requested to do so.
Article 234: The liquidating officers must show all papers and books relating to the
company's liquidation whenever the partners so request. The officers are not to prevent
partners from copying the related books and papers.
Article 235: The liquidating officers, during liquidation, must deposit any money over
1,000 Afghanis in a recognized bank.
Article 236: At the end of liquidation proceedings, the liquidating officers must give an
account of the clearance to the partners.
Article 237: All statements in the company contract relating to liquidating officers,
together with directives decided upon by the partners and the court concerning their
appointment, changes, and dismissal, are to be registered and advertised.
Article 238: At the end of liquidation, the liquidation officers, according to the contract
or legal directives, must prepare a balance sheet containing the shares of the partner in the
capital, profit, loss, and other items. This balance sheet should be submitted to the
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partners. If the partners raise no objection within one month, the balance sheet is
considered final. After the passage of this period, if partners refuse to accept their
respective shares, the liquidating officers are to deposit the shares of each in his name in
a recognized bank.
Article 239: The net assets of the company, in accordance with the contract or decision
later made, should be distributed by the liquidating officers. Unless otherwise stated by
the contract or directed by the partners, this distribution should be made in cash.
Article 240: Just as liquidation officers are collectively responsible for deviations from
the contents of this law to the partners and third persons, so they are collectively
responsible for transactions of persons whom they employ or appoint, if contrary to the
contents of this law.
Article 241: Liquidation officers appointed from among the partners cannot be paid
salaries and wages unless so stated in the contract or by decision later made, but officers
appointed from outside, regardless of whether the salary and wages have been mentioned
or not, are entitled to be paid.
Article 242: At the end of liquidation, books and papers are to be deposited in a safe
place designated by the partners, and should be kept for a period of 15 years. If partners
do not agree about the place, sane is assigned by the court.
Subchapter C – Special Partnership Companies
Article 243: A company established under a definite title, for the purpose of trade, in
which one or more partners have unlimited liability and the rest of the partners have
limited liability with a definite capital, is called a special partnership company. The
capital of the partner with limited liability can be into shares.
Article 244: Unless otherwise stated in this subchapter, rules governing general
partnership companies apply to special partnership (Komandit) companies as well. Where
it cannot be decided if a company is a general partnership or a Komandit company, it is
considered to be a general partnership company.
Article 245: In the contract of a Komandit company, in addition to the requirement of
Article 137, the names of the partners with limited liability, as well as the capital of each
that has been paid or promised, should be entered, and should be registered and
advertised.
Article 246: A partner with limited liability cannot submit his work, action, reputation, or
profession (other than his scientific and technical invention), as capital.
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Part II – Relation of Partners with Each Other
Article 247: The relation among partners of a special partnership company are as set forth
in this Part unless otherwise specified in the contract.
Article 248: Partners with limited liability are not authorized to administer and cannot
prevent those authorized from executing their duties, but they can vote about matters not
included in the authority of the administrative personnel.
Article 249. Each partner with limited liability is allowed, at the end of the year, to
investigate the balance sheet, asset book, and papers of the company, either personally or
through an informed person. If there is an objection to informed persons, the informed
person may be appointed by the court on request of the partner.
Article 250. The contents of Article 158 (preventing partners of a general partnership
company from executing transactions which are the subject of the company) are not
applicable to partners with limited liability, but if the partners should establish an
institution whose activities constitute the subject of the business of the company, or join
another person having established such an institution, or join an existing company doing
the same business, partners with limited liability will not be entitled to investigate the
books and papers of the company.
Article 251: The responsibility of a partner with limited liability is proportional to his
promised or paidin capital.
Article 252: The partner with limited responsibility can, at the end of the fiscal year,
receive his dividend, or if stated in the contract, his interest. If the company has suffered
a loss, until the loss is recovered the interest is not paid but, in future years, after loss of
capital is made up from remaining profit, the interest of previous years is paid out.
Article 253: Partners with limited liability are not required to return interest and dividend
paid in previous years to make up for loss caused thereafter.
Article 254: Partners with limited liability are not required to return dividends and
interest received on the basis of a properly prepared balance sheet.
Article 255: In case of the death of a limited liability partner, his heir replace him.
Article 256: If a limited liability partner transfers, without the permission of other
partners, his shares wholly or in part, to another person, this new person is not entitled to
investigate or interfere in the affairs of the company.
Part III – The Relation of the Partners with Third Parties
Article 257: A partner with limited responsibility, whose name is in the title of the
company, has unlimited responsibility to third persons.
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Article 258: The responsibility to administer and represent a Komandit company rests
with the partners with unlimited liability. The extent of this authority is subject to laws
applying to general partnership companies. Unless prohibited by the company contract, a
partner with limited liability may be delegated, by the director or directors of the
company, to execute certain transactions; in such cases the responsibility arising through
the execution of his delegated transactions is that of the company. If a partner with
limited liability should act beyond his delegated duty, or act without having been
delegated, he is personally liable for his actions.
Article 259: The giving of advice and consultations, the right to investigate and control
the affairs of the company, and, when legally specified, participation in the appointment
and dismissal of employees, or employment for minor work in the company, cannot
cause unlimited liability for the partners with limited responsibilities.
Article 260: The responsibilities of partners with limited liability to persons to whom the
company is indebted are in ratio to their investment in the business, but person to whom
the company is indebted cannot, until the dissolution of the company, or until such time
as legal pursuance proves useless, refer to limited liability partners. In the event of
bankruptcy, the creditors have the right to claim against the entire assets.
Article 261: In case of bankruptcy of a Komandit company, claims on the company are
given priority over claims on the partners personally.
Article 262: In case the assets of a company are not sufficient for the claims against it,
creditors can demand their claims from the personal assets of the partners with unlimited
liability. In such cases, the creditors of the company and the creditors of the partners have
equal rights.
Article 263: Concerning the personal assets of limited liability, partners of a special
partnership company, the company as well as partners personal creditors have equal
status.
Article 264: Orders regarding the liquidation of general partnership companies apply as
well as special partnership companies.
Article 265: Where a creditor of the company is indebted to a limited liability partner,
and this partner has not fulfilled his promises to the company, it is possible to account
and cancel the debt of the limited liability partner with that of the creditor.
Subchapter D – Corporations
Part I – Nature and Establishment of Corporation
Article 266: A corporation is one establishment under a definite title for the purpose of
commercial activities, whose capital is definite and divided into shares, with the
responsibility of each stockholders limited to the proportion of his share.
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Article 267: A Corporation may be formed immediately or gradually. If the founders buy
all the shares of the company, it may be established at once, or the company may be
established gradually by informing the public that shares are available for sale.
Article 268: For a corporation to be established, at least five shareholding founders are
required.
Article 269: Those who, in the process of establishing a corporation, sign the articles of
incorporation, and pay as capital a sum in cash or otherwise, are considered the founders.
Article 270: The founders must prepare and sign the articles of incorporation, and the
articles of incorporation must include the following:
1. The title of the company and its home office.
2. The nature and kind of activities and purpose of the company.
3. Determination of capitalization, kind of shares, price of each share, as well as the
terms under which the shares are bought.
4. Special benefits made possible and paid out of the profit for the founders,
members of the board of directors, or other persons,
5. Procedure of election of the board of directors, board of supervision, their
functions, signatures and administrative authority. ? in the eng book
6. Procedures to call the general meeting for stockholders, time to assemble, terms
for discussion, decision, and voting.
7. Duration of the company, if it is for a limited period.
Article 271: A copy of the articles of incorporation, prepared according to Article 270, is
submitted to the Ministry of National Economy, and a permit for the establishment of the
company is obtained.
Article 272: After permission has been received, if the company is gradually established,
founders should make an advertisement containing the following:
1. Business and duration of the company.
2. The price of each share, the amount of capital, and the privileges provided in the
articles of incorporation for the founder or other persons;
3. The kind of inventory assets given for capital;
4. If the buying of an institution has been under consideration, its price;
5. The place and method of conducting the general meeting.
Article 273: The request to participate in the capital of the company is made in two
copies, as follows:
1. Summary of items o Article 272.
2. Name, identity, and addresses of persons promising to participate;
3. The number of shares promised to be bought, in letters, with the date of the promise;
4. Statement accepting the contents of the articles of incorporation. If the company is not
established within the specified period, the promises of the participant are without effect.
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The request to take part must be accepted by letter wherein the signatures of participant
has been certified.
Article 274: Total stock issued for the capitalization of the company must be actually
and fully promised and at least onefourth of the value of each stock share must be paid
in cash.
Article 275: The issuance of stock certificates must not be for less than the authorized
value.
Article 276: In case the payment of onefourth of the price of the shares (which payment
is legally necessary) should not be a condition at the time of the promise, the founders
can, when all necessary promises are received, notify those have promised, through
registered letters or papers, to pay onefourth of their promised shares within a specified
period. Those not complying within the specified period are either dropped or made to
honor their promise, depending on the decision of the founders. In case some are
dropped, other persons promising to buy shares in place of the ones dropped must pay
onefourth of the price of the shares. The company cannot be established until onefourth
of the price of the shares has been paid.
Article 277: Onefourth of the price of the shares, paid by those who have promised to
buy shares, is deposited in a recognized bank. When the company is established, the
deposited money is paid to the company after presentation of a document form the board
of directors to the effect of registration, advertisement, and the permission of the related
authorities. Otherwise, the money is returned, on presentation of receipts, to the persons
having deposited it. The onefourth of the price of the shares deposited in the bank is in
no way given to the founders.
Article 278: After all capital of the company is pledged and the proper price of the shares
paid, the founders should within ten days, through registered letters to the address of
stockholders, and advertisement in the papers, call the founding general assembly. The
mailing of letters and advertisement in the papers must take place at least 15 days prior to
the assembly, and must contain the following:
1. Certification of the promise to buy all shares and the payment of onefourth of
the price of the shares.
2. The appointment of informed persons to determine the price of goods given in
place of capital and the purchase of an institution which is allowed by the
articles of incorporation;
3. Any terms providing for special benefit to the founders;
4. The appointment of the members of the board of directors, if not already
provided in the articles of incorporation;
5. The appointment of the board of supervisors.
Article 279: The assembly should meet on the specified day and discuss and decide upon
items of Article 278. The decisions of the assembly will be valid only if person
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representing at least onehalf of the capital of the company are present. Each share
entitles the shareholders to one vote, and decisions are made by majority vote of those
present.
Article 280: The founders, with other stockholders, who present goods for capital, or the
founders, when the assembly is considering special benefits for the founder, are not
entitled to vote on decisions as to price determination of the goods or the special benefits
for the founders
Article 281: If the first members of the board of directors are not appointed by the
articles of incorporation, they are appointed by the founder's general meeting form the
shareholders
The appointment of the first board of supervisors is the duty of the founders'
general meeting. This board cannot be appointed by the articles of incorporation, and
must be delegated to two or more of the shareholders or to persons not shareholders.
Article 282: In the founders' general meeting, which takes place in accord with Article
279, where qualified persons are appointed to determine the price of properties offered
for capital, or the price of an institution to be bought, the presence of at least twothird of
the shareholders having paid in cash is necessary. Decisions are by majority vote.
If the required number of person is not present, qualified persons are to be appointed by
the related court.
Article 283: After completion of the report of qualified person, the founders are to call
another meeting of the assembly, in accordance with Article 278, and each of these
meeting notices should be accompanied by a copy of the report of the qualified persons.
The authority of the founders' general meeting, concerning discussion and decision, is
subject to conditions set forth in Article 279.
Article 284: The founders’ general meeting will study the report of qualified persons and
listen to comments offered by those presenting the goods for capital, and to owner selling
their institutions. The assembly will then accept or reject the prices mentioned in the
report, or change them with the approval of the owners.
Article 285: In case there are an insufficient number of members at the founders' general
meeting to receive the qualified report, the founders will send a summary of the meeting,
accompanied by registered letters, to the shareholders, and publicize the matter in the
papers. In such case, the shareholders are invited to meet after one month.
Article 286: If a majority vote should not be received in the founders' general meeting,
the opposing parties may write out the reasons for their opposition.
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Article 287: The founders cannot include anything in the articles of incorporation by
which they would be entitled to receive free shares or appropriate cash money for
themselves which reduces the capital of the company.
Article 288: After the execution of Articles 279 and 284, the founders, within fifteen
days, shall prepare a report on the nature and condition of the organization; articles of
incorporation; statement of the bank regarding the onefourth payment of the issued
stocks; report of the minutes of the founders' general meeting; report of experts
regarding the value of capitalization and inventory, or of other institutions; a certificate
and a copy of the concession or monopoly, if related; and these shall be submitted to the
related commercial court.
The court will investigate the papers and, if necessary, ask for explanations from the
founders, if papers are not complete. One month after the date of presentation, the
organization papers are to be certified.
Article 289: The establishment of a company, certified in accordance with Article 288, is
to be registered in the related commercial office.
Article 290: A company not registered and advertised in accordance with article 279 is
not considered legally to exist, and before registration and advertisement cannot execute
any commercial transactions.
Article 291: Those having undertaken to take part in the capital of the company and wish
to transfer their shares to others before the company is legally established, such process is
not considered valid.
Article 292: For companies which are established immediately, the shareholders shall
prepare the articles of incorporation containing requirements of Articles 274 about the
promise for all shares, items 4 and 5 of Article 278, and Article 270. If, as part of the
capital, a building or goods has been bought, qualified persons for determination of its
value shall be appointed by the court.
Article 293: Shareholders of an immediately established Joint Stock Company, who wish
to present their shares for sale to the public, shall comply with the provisions of Articles
272 and 273.
Article 294: For loss or damage resulting from the incorrectness of the declaration paper,
or from the papers of Article 288, and other papers, responsibility rests collectively with
the founders and those taking part in the preparation of such papers.
Article 295: If all shares have not been bought and paid for, but the report states they
were, and if this is discovered, the founders and all those responsible for the report must
take these shares into their own accounts and pay for them.
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Article 296: The founders, or others, who are dishonest about the price of the goods,
capital or buildings that are purchased must, collectively, account any loss or harm that
might be directed towards the company by their dishonesty.
Article 297: The members of the board of directors and the board of supervisors during
the first term must investigate to see if any dishonest act was committed during the
establishment of the company, paid for by the founders. If they neglect this obligation,
and if any loss results, the responsibility rests, collectively, with the members of the
boards of directors and supervisors.
Article 298: Responsibility of the founders' boards of directors and supervisors, after five
years from the date of registration, according to the general meeting of shareholders, is
considered reconcilable and compromisable. Conditional to representation of capital, it
should be approved by onetenth of the shareholders' vote.
Article 299: Claims for loss that the company might have against the founder members
of the board of directors, or board of supervisors, is invalidated after five years.
Article 300: The founders are responsible to third parties for promises and transactions
made by them to establish the company. If the company has been established, founders
can refer to the company for compensation for expenses, payment of which is subject to
the approval of the founding assembly. If for any reason the company is not established,
expenses are to be paid by the founders, and they cannot refer to the shareholders for
compensation.
Part II – Board of Directors
Article 301: The joint stock company shall have a board of directors composed of at least
three persons to be selected from among the stockholders by the assembly. The first
members of the board directors are also possible to be appointed by the articles of
incorporation.
Article 302: Each member of the board of directors must deposit with the company part
of his shares equivalent to one percent of the original capital of the company. If one
percent of the capital of the company should exceed 200,000 Afghanis, the deposit of a
sum exceeding this figure is not compulsory. Until such time as members have been
released from their responsibilities on the board by the assembly, these deposited
securities cannot be taken nor transferred to another person. For this purpose these
securities are sealed and kept as a guarantee in the treasury of the company.
Article 303: The terms of the members of the board of directors, at the maximum, shall
be three years. They may be reelected, unless the articles of incorporation should state
otherwise.
Article 304: The members of the board of directors elect, each year, from among
themselves, a chairman of the board, and, if necessary, a vicechairman.
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Article 305: If a member of a board of directors is dismissed for legal reasons the board
can appoint, temporarily, another member meeting the legal requirements, but they must,
at the next general meeting, propose his appointment for approval.
Article 306: If the members of the board of directors are appointed by the articles of
incorporation, they can, if circumstances require, be dismissed by the general meeting. In
such case, they will also be deprived of the privileges and profits they had as members of
the board of directors.
Article 307: The administration of the corporation, as well as its agencies, is under the
board of directors.
Article 308: The board of directors is entitled to execute and sign any legal transaction
included in the authority granted under the articles of incorporation. If the board of
directors finds it profitable for the company, it is entitled to request arbitration and
mediation.
Article 309: To give credit to papers and documents prepared in the name of the
corporation, in case the signing authority should not be specified in the articles of
incorporation, they are to be signed by all members of the board of directors.
Article 310: Those who have the authority to sign in the name of the company must sign
under the name ( in eng book ?) after the title of the company has been recorded.
Article 311: Members of the board of directors cannot participate in discussions
concerning matters involving their personal interest. In such cases they must announce to
the meeting the interest they have in the matter and enter it in the minutes of the meeting.
Members deviating from these regulations must compensate for any loss that might
be suffered by the company. If the majority of the members should have personal
interests in the subject under discussion, the matter is referred to the next meeting of the
stockholders.
Article 312: Members of the board of directors cannot without permission of the general
meeting, execute transaction in their own names and accounts, or in the names and
accounts of third person, either directly or indirectly, with the company.
Article 313: No member of the board of directors can, without permission of the general
meeting, engage in commercial transactions such as his related company is engaged with.
Members of the board are not allowed to join another company engaged in the same
activities as his related company as a responsible member. The company can ask for
compensation from the board member not complying with this Article, or can consider
the transaction made in his namefor the loss suffered – as made in name of the company,
and ask that the profit made through these transactions be turned over to the company.
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In resolving abovementioned matters, members of the board involved cannot
participate. The right of the company to take advantage of this privilege exists for a
period of one year from the date such transaction takes place.
Article 314: If the capital of the company should become reduced to onehalf, the board
of directors shall at once invite the general meeting to decide either to raise a capital of
the original amount, to go on with the remaining capital, or to dissolve the company. If
only onethird with the remains, and the general meeting should not decide to raise
capital or go on with the capital left, the company is considered to be dissolved. If the
assets of the company should not meet debts of the company, the board of directors must
refer to the court in request consideration of the matter and announcement of the
bankruptcy.
Article 315: The board of directors must prepare the necessary books and, at the
appointment time, have the balance sheet of the previous year ready for investigation and
study by the stockholders at least 15 days before the general assembly is to meet.
Article 316: Expenses for the purpose of establishing the administration of the company
are to be entered in the expenditure account of the company, but the expenses for the
preliminary establishment, or for establishment of a new branch, or for extension of the
transactions made by the articles of the incorporation, or decisions of the general
meeting, should be continue to be entered, at most for five years, in the balance sheet of
each year. However, expenditures of each year should be recorded in the balance sheet of
that year.
Prices of movable properties, buildings, and machines, which are to be shown in the
balance sheet, are those figures remaining after deduction from their costs of depreciation
and insurance fees, if issued.
Article 317: The board of directors must prepare, at the end of the year, in addition to the
balance sheet, a statement of the financial, economic, and commercial status of the
company, and must also make a statement regarding the percentage of profit distribution
and the reserve.
Article 318: Unless otherwise stated in the articles of incorporation of the company, the
meeting of the board of directors should take place in the presence of more than half of
the formal members, and decisions should be reached by majority vote of the members
present.
Members cannot vote in the name of each other. In case of a tie vote, the matter is
discussed at the next meeting, after which, if a tie still exists, it is considered rejected.
Discussions of directors should be registered in a book regularly by a secretary
elected from among the members or from outside. It is necessary the decisions should be
signed by members present, and those voting against an issue must register the reason for
their stands.
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Article 319: Unless otherwise stated in the articles of incorporation, members of the
board of directors are entitled to an attendance fee for each meeting day. If the fee is not
determined by the articles of incorporation, it is determined by the general assembly.
Article 320: Members of the board of directors are not personally responsible for
transaction executed by them in the name of the company except in the following cases
where they are responsible to the stockholders and third persons:
1. For accuracy of the certification of stockholders' payment for the share document.
2. For true a statement of the profits that are paid and distributed.
3. For maintaining and properly keeping books legally required to be kept.
4. For executing decisions made by the general meeting.
5. For executing all the duties delegated to them, either through the articles of
incorporation or by law.
In case the company should delegate one of above five responsibilities to one
member of the board of directors, the responsibility is directed only toward that member
and it does not affect other members.
Article 321: The newly appointed members of the board of directors must bring the
attention of the board of supervisors any illegal actions taken by previous members of the
board of directors; otherwise these new members are held liable as well.
Article 322: Member of the board of directors who, according to Article 321, are not
satisfied with the legality of the transactions executed by the previous board, and who
have recorded the reasons for their dissatisfactions the meeting record and have informed
the board of supervisors and writing as well, or who have not participated in
consideration of a matter of such nature, are not responsible.
Article 323: If the members of the board of directors, by any means, or through untrue
statements about the present condition of the company, cheats other person, he is
personally responsible for losses resulting from such acts.
Article 324: Cases brought against members of the board of directors, according to the
Articles 320 and 321, for the responsibilities mentioned therein, are voided five years
after the date the responsibility was incurred.
Article 325: Should the general assembly decide to bring charges against members of the
board of directors, the decision may be put into effect. If the general assembly should
decide against bringing a case against members of the board of directors, and stockholder
who owns 10 percent of the capital should disagree with this decision, the company must,
within one month of the date of the decision, bring charges against members of the board
of directors. To bring charges as mentioned above, in the name of the company, against
members of the board of directors, is the duty of the board of supervisor. If the bringing
of charges is affected by the votes of the stockholders owning 10 percent of the capital,
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stockholders may appoint a consul from outside. Such stockholders must deposit their
shares, for compensation of possible loss, in a recognized bank until the case is settled. If
the case is rejected, the voting stockholders must compensate for losses suffered by the
company.
Article 326: If the administration of the company, according to the articles of
incorporation or the decision of the general assembly, should be delegated to a managing
director not a member of the board of directors, in such case the director is also
responsible for the duties mentioned in Article 320 to the stockholders of the company as
well as to third person. Any condition in the articles of incorporation contrary to this, or
statement that the managing director is subject to the board of directors, does not free him
from these responsibilities.
Article 327: Members of the board directors are not responsible for the misconduct of the
managing of director, but if members of the board of directors should appoint an
unqualified person, or ignore this misconduct, or permit him to do things not under the
authority of the director, in such cases they are collectively responsible to the
stockholders of the company. However, members of the board of directors who,
according to Article 322, prove they have not participated in such misconduct, are not
held responsible.
Article 328: Unless otherwise stated in the articles of incorporation, the board of
directors is authorized to dismiss or appoint the managing director. These actions must be
advertised.
Article 329: The managing directors, when permitted, can delegate execution of certain
transactions to others, but they can not delegate their director ship duties to others.
Article 330: The managing directors can not be appointed for longer terms of duty than
those of the members of the board of directors. They can at any time, like members of
board of directors, be dismissed. The managing director appointed from among
stockholders and dismissed cannot claim damage and loss.
Article 331: The board of directors of a corporation, in addition to keeping record
commercial books, must also keep the following records:
1. A special book for stockholders in which the name, father's name, identity, title
and address of all shareholders are recorded.
2. Record of initial payments made for capital and the increase therein;
3. Record of the discussions of the general meetings; and
4. The discussion book of the board of directors.
Article 332: Unless otherwise stated in the articles of incorporations, the appointment of
officials is the duty of the board of directors.
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Article 333: If any members of the board of directors or board of supervisors should
become bankrupt, or be deprived of his legal qualifications, or be punished for a criminal
act, his authority in the affairs of the company is terminated and he is to be replaced by
another person.
Article 334: The board of directors can, by majority vote, delegate its power and
authority to one or more of its members.
Part III – Board of Supervisors
Article 335: Unless otherwise stated in the article of incorporation, the board of the
supervisors of the corporation should be composed of two members. These members can
be elected from among stockholders or out side thereof, for the first time by the founders,
general meeting for period of one year, and subsequently by the general assembly for a
maximum period of three years. The board of supervisors whose term has expired can be
reelected. Members of the board of supervisors can not be elected as member of the
board of directors no can they administer the business transactions of the company.
Members of the board of directors whose term have expired can not be elected as
member of the board of supervisors until the general assembly releases them from
responsibility.
Article 336: The general assembly can in order to investigate certain specific matters,
appoint a separate aboard of supervisors.
Article 337: Relatives of members of the board of directions, such as father, son, uncle,
(brother of father and mother),
Articles 337364 missing
Assembly, they can appeal to the Court , but they must pay the expense incurred and
deposit their shares in a recognized bank in advance. In case this request should be
rejected, or the result of investigation by the court should prove the claim false, the
stockholders initiating the action are responsible for paying, collectively, the losses
caused to the company.
Article 365: Certification of the balance sheet by the General Assembly frees the Boards
of Directors and Supervisors from responsibility, except that these Boards are responsible
for any irregularity found in the balance sheet. They can not be released even by the
General Meeting.
Article 366: Decisions reached by the General Assembly affect those absent as well as
those in opposition to decisions taken.
Article 367: Decisions made by the General Assembly which are contrary to explicit
orders of the Law or the articles of incorporation of the company can be protested within
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three months of the date the decisions were made , in a local court concerned with
commercial cases. The following are entitled to make such an objection:
1. The shareholders who were present but were not in favor of the decision , and
who have entered their opposition in the minutes, or who have been deprived
from voting rights on no legal grounds, or who think the invitation of the meeting
was not in accordance with the law.
2. The board of Directors.
3. Each member of the Boards of Directors or Supervisors , when the decision of
General Assembly of stockholders may cause responsibility to impinge upon
them. If the objections are numerous, and the trial is a singular one, the hearing on
the claim is to be delayed until the end of the objection. The court can , when so
requested by the interested parties, have the complainants presents guarantees in
case probable damages should devolve upon the company. The amount of the
guarantee is to be determined by the court, if the protest should be by the Board of
Directors, the company is represented by the board of Supervisors.
Article 368: In cases of protest against the decision of the General Assembly, according
to Article 367 the Court can, after asking for explanations from the Boards of Director
and Supervisors, order postponement of execution of the decision concerning which the
protest has been made.
Article 369: The order of the Court to invalidate the decision of the Assembly over which
the protest has been made, being final, is applicable to all stockholders. The board of
Directors must register and advertise a copy of the abovementioned order at once.
Article 370: If it is proven that the persons protesting a decision of the Assembly acted in
bad faith, these persons, collectively, must bear the responsibility for any loss resulting to
the company by their actions.
Article 371: Unless otherwise stated in the articles of incorporation, the General
Assembly can modify the contents of the articles of in corporation to increase the capital
of the company or change the nationality of the company. The unanimous approval of the
stockholders is required. In discussions dealing with modifications of the articles of
incorporation, a person controlling even one share is entitled to participate and vote. If
anything in contradiction to this should appear in the articles of incorporation, it is
invalid. Votes of persons controlling more than one share are to be counted proportional
to the shares, even if otherwise stated in the articles of incorporation.
Article 372: In meetings of the Assembly dealing with changes in the type of business or
nature of the company, the presence of shareholders representing at least threefourths of
the capital of the company is required. For the decisions made at these meetings to be
effective, twothirds of the votes of those present, in person or by their proxies, is
necessary. If at the first meeting shareholders representing threefourths of the capital of
the company are not present, the board of Directors can call an assembly meeting again
for this purpose. This invitation should be advertised in the papers 15 days prior to the
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meeting. At this second meeting, the presence of shareholders representing half of the
capital of the company is sufficient. In the notices and invitations sent to nominated
stockholders, the later discussion, and the result of the previous meeting should also be
included. If a sufficient number of shareholders is not present, a third meeting may be
called within the period authorized for the second meeting. For this purpose, the
attendance of one – third of the shareholders will suffice as quorum, but in order for
decisions to be effective, they must be reached by twothirds of the votes of those
presents, whether in person or by proxy.
Article 373: If the decisions concerning modification of items in the articles of
incorporation are not effective before being advertised and registered in the local
commercial court.
Article 374: In case the General Assembly should be called to meet to consider
modification of terms of the articles of incorporation, the text of the modification should
also, according to Article 356, be advertised to the interested persons.
Article 375: Until such time as the initial capital of the company has been completed, the
General Assembly can not consider the issuance of new shares, or the increase of capital.
Article 376: In case the General Assembly should decide to increase the capital of the
company by issuing new shares, the related documents, after going through legal
channels, together with a joint statement of the Boards of Directions and Supervisors,
should be submitted to the Ministry of Commerce for the certification of the Minister,
after which the matter is advertised and registered in a commercial court.
Article 377: When payment for new shares is made in other than cash, such payment is
governed by the rules existent when the company was established.
Article 378: If the increase in capital of the company should have taken place not in
accordance with law, it will be without effect, and the Boards of Directors and
Supervisors are, collectively, responsible to the company and third persons.
Article 779: Unless prevented by the decision of the General Assembly concerning the
increase in the capital of the company, each of the shareholders may, in proportion to the
shares he has in the capital of the company, buy new shares issued. The Board of
Directors should advertise the issuance of new shares. This advertisement should also
specify a period of not less than four weeks for acceptance or rejection by the
stockholders.
Article 380: Any decision by the General Assembly regarding decrease of the capital of
the company should also include arrangements and steps for the execution of this
decision.
Article 381: After advertisement and registration of the decision to decrease the capital of
the company, advertisements should be made three times, in the papers, to notify any
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creditors. To these creditors whose addresses are known to the company, personal notices
are to the sent as well. Before the date of the last advertised notice, creditors who prove
their claims on the company are paid on request. For the purpose of clearing the
transactions of the creditors, stockholders are not paid until two years from the date of
advertisement announcing the decrease.
Article 382: For the capital decrease such as reduction of outstanding shares of stock , or
any other method , the procedure must be advertised. Shares which, in spite of notice, are
not brought in, should be cancelled. However, when advertisement is made in regard to
the return of stocks, warning about the cancellation of unpresented stocks should be
explicitly indicated.
Article 383: After arrangements for reduction of capital are completed, the matter is
advertised and registered by the board of Directors.
Part V – Stock Certificates
Article 384: Stock certificates are either with or without names of owners.
Article 385: Before the registration of a company, stock certificates or anything else used
temporarily for stock certificates are not to be issued.
Article 386: Unless otherwise stated in the articles of incorporation, stock certificates
must bear the names of the owners.
Article 387: A provision in the articles of incorporation preventing the transfer of stock
certificates with names to those without names, or vice versa, is valid.
Article 388: To change stock with a name to that which has no name, it is necessary that
the full costs of the shares be paid. If the market value of the nominated stock is greater
than par value (qimat morihza), the additional amount should be received.
Article 389: Stock certificates not fully paid for, and those temporary certificates that
have been given to shareholders before the certificates were issued to the stockholders to
show their subscription, must bear the names of the owners.
Article 390: As far as the company is concerned, each share of stock is indivisible. If a
stock certificate is owned by more than one person, they can establish and prove their
rights with the company only through counsel.
Article 391: Stock certificates should bear the signature of the person authorized to sign
in the name of the company. Stock certificates must contain the name of the company,
the date of the announcement concerning the establishment of the company, the number
of shares, the capital of the company, and the price of the stock certificate. The signature
as stamp or seal is also allowed.
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Article 392: Each stock certificate must be worth at least 100 Afghanis. to issue a stock
certificate worth less than 100 Afghanis is not allowed, unless otherwise stated in the
articles of incorporation.
Article 393: Stock certificates with names must bear the name, profession, and address of
the owner, and must be registered in a special book in the company.
Article 394: Unless otherwise stated in the articles of incorporation, stock certificates
bearing names are transferable to others without the consent of the company.
Article 395: Stock certificates with names are transferred to others by endorsement or by
another written document. In order for this transfer to be honored by the company and
other persons, it should be registered in a special book by the company. The registration
takes place upon showing the stock certificates or the document to the effect of its
transfer, by the receiver.
Article 396: Possession of or transfer of unregistered stock certificates (anonymous
stock) as far as the company is concerned is validated only by possession or ownership.
Article 397: The stockholder who has not paid the price of the stock certificates must pay,
from the day it was due, legal interest on the loss caused by this negligence to the
company. The amount determined in the articles of incorporation to be paid as
compensation for the loss caused by the delay in payment of the stock certificate is valid.
Article 398: In case a stockholder has not paid, in full or in part, the price of his shares at
the time due, the Board of Directors can, unless otherwise stated in the articles of
incorporation of the company, take the following actions. The shareholders who delay
payment for their stock certificate are warned through paper twice a month, at intervals of
15 days, with the notification running each time for three successive days. If within one
month from the date of the last announcement the price is not paid, the persons involved
are given two other warnings, at an interval of 10 days, that if they do not make payment
in full they will lose all their privileges of stock ownership. Persons not having paid their
due are deprived of their rights to participate unless otherwise stated in the articles of
incorporation. This matter is also separately announced. After these steps, the company
should sell the involved shares at the stock exchange price or by auction, invalidate the
previous documents, and issue new ones in their place. In these documents the paid
amounts and the remaining installments should be entered. If the money received from
the sale of stock certificates sold according to this article should be less by the initial
owners.
Article 399: In the case of sale of a stock registered in the name of an owner whose
subscription price has not been paid in full, the initial owner and the subsequent owners
are responsible, collectively, for the amount due the company.
The responsibility of those transferring is invalidated after three years from the date the
transfer is registered in the books of the company. Before paying the balance, the original
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stockholder who has transferred his stock certificate can refer to the succeeding
stockholder or the last person who holds the stock for the amount he has paid so far.
Article 400: Before the establishment of a corporation is final, transfer of stock
certificates is not allowed.
Article 401: Transfer of stock certificates paid for in “Kind” is possible two years after
the company has been established.
Article 402: In a stock certificate or a temporary certificate should become so old and in
such bad condition that its further use is impossible, but its contents and distinguishing
marks are perfectly legible , its owner is entitled to pay the expenses involved and receive
new or replacement stock certificate from the company.
Part VI – Bonds (Loan Documents)
Article 403: A corporation may borrow by means of bonds having the same face value
and the same terms of repayment.
Article 404: Until all the bond certificates issued have been sold, no other bonds can be
issue.
Article 405: Bonds issued by the corporation should not exceed the paid amount of
capital and the assets of the company certified according to the last balance sheet.
Article 406: Through the articles of incorporation of the company may allow the issuance
of bonds, the approval of the General Assembly is also necessary. In order for this
approval to be valid, condition dealing with the quorum and majority vote of those
present, as mentioned in the first part of Article 372, must be complied with. This
approval should also be advertised and registered in the Commercial Registration Office.
Article 407: The board of Directors when issuing bonds must release a statement
containing the following:
1. Name, kind of business, head office, and length of existence of the company.
2. The amount of capital of the company.
3. The date of the articles of incorporation and any modifications therein, with their
dates and the dates the announcements were made.
4. The financial condition of the company according to the certified balance sheet.
5. The total value of the outstanding bonds; the procedure for payment to the
company, with the value of each note; the amount of interest; the kind of bond
(namebearing or otherwise); and the procedure and time for repayment.
6. The date of registration, and announcement of the decision of the General
Assembly concerning the issuance of the bonds.
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7. If the movable or immovable properties of the company have been mortgaged or
presented as guarantee either for a previous bond issuance or otherwise, this fact
should be announced at least 15 days before the bonds are issued.
Article 408: The conditions of Article 407 are entered on the subscription slip of the
bond.
Article 409: On bonds, in addition to the items of the above statement, the amount and
conditions of interest are also entered. Bonds should be signed by at least two members
of the Board of Directors.
Article 410: Members of the board of Directors violating orders concerning loans are
collectively held responsible to the interested persons.
Article 411: The board of Directors must prepare, before the general meeting of the
bondholders, a list of the regular bonds for analysis by the owners of the bonds.
Article 412: The corporation should keep a registration book for the registration of bonds
bearing names of bonds owners.
Article 413: The board of Directors and the Board of Supervisors can , when necessary,
call a meeting of the owners of bonds, just as they call a meeting of the General
Assembly. Owners of bonds representing onefifth of the value of the regular bonds can
request a general meeting of the owners bonds. The board of Directors and Supervisors
must give due consideration to their request. The meeting notice of the bond owners is
subject to the special provisions dealing with the notice to stockholders for the Assembly.
Article 414: The general assembly of the bond owners is entitled to express its opinion
concerning the following:
1. Reduction, removal, or cancellation of special guarantees regarding the bonds.
2. Prolongation of the interest period, reduction of the amount, modification of the
terms for the payment of interest.
3. Prolongation of time and adjustment of conditions of the loan.
4. Receiving and accepting stock certificates in place of bonds.
5. Appointment of one or more representatives to look into the above matters.
Article 415: In order for time 1.2.3 and 4 of Article 414 to be applicable to the owners of
bonds, it is necessary that twothirds of them should decide. As far as item 5 of Article
414 is concerned, approval of owners representing half of the bonds is sufficient.
Part VII – Loss of Stock Certificates and Bonds
Article 416: A corporation which has issued unregistered stocks and bonds may pay the
value and profits only to the bearers.
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Article 417: If , by any means, a stock certificate or a bond should be lost by the bearer,
and the issuing company should be directed in writing through the registration Article of
the Commercial Court not to pay on it, and any responsibility regarding the withholding
of payment is accepted, the company will withhold payment. If , within twenty days from
the date of the court order no decision is communicated from the court to the company
concerning the prevention of payment , the demand is invalidated.
Article 418: The written request must contain the following details:
1. The value and the serial numbers of the certificates.
2. The number of certificates.
3. The circumstances of the loss and , if possible, the time and place of the receipt of
interest or profits.
Article 419: A person having lost possession of stock certificates or bonds who refers to
the Local Commercial Court, as detailed in Article 418, will be questioned by the Court
concerning the accuracy of his claim. If the circumstances prove reasonable and
sufficient , the Court will forbid the company to pay, and announce its decision in the
papers. If, within two years, a person should find his stock certificates or bond and so
advise the court, the Court will look into the matter and make decision. If, during the
period mentioned, no one makes a claim, the Court should, on the request of the person
having lost possession of the stock certificates or bonds, order the payment of the interest
or profit, and the person shown to have lost same will be considered as owner. This
decision is effective after announcement.
Article 420: In the process of asserting one’s right to anonymous stocks and bonds, based
upon the loss of possession, one can bring suit against the person who has found the
documents or who has stolen them, or who has knowingly taken them from the rightful
owners.
Article 421: A person who loses his stock certificates or bonds bearing his name can ask
for duplicates, from the company, provided the registration proves him to be the real
owner of the stock certificates or bonds. Upon favorable decision of the Board of
Directors he may be given the required duplicates.
Article 422: All expenses incurred in proving ownership of documents and in having
duplicate documents issued by a company when necessary will be borne by the person
bringing the action to establish ownership.
PART VIII
Dissolution and Liquidation of Corporations.
Article 423: Corporations can be dissolved for any one of the following reasons:
1. The termination of the specified period.
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2. The accomplishment of the purpose of the corporation or the impossibility
thereof.
3. The loss of two thirds of the capital in accordance with Article 314.
4. In case the total number of stockholders should be reduced to less than five.
5. Realization of the causes affecting the dissolution of the corporation
according to the articles of incorporation.
6. Merger of the company with another company.
7. The bankruptcy of the company.
8. The decision of the General Assembly to dissolve the company in accordance
with the first part of Article 372.
Article 424: If after the establishment of a corporation its stockholders should number
less than five any interested party can refer to the court to ask its dissolution.
Article 425: Creditors of a corporation which has lost two thirds of its capital can ask the
court for its dissolution. If the corporation can present to the court adequate guarantees
for the claims of its creditors the court may order the dissolution of the corporation.
Article 246. If the dissolution of the corporation should be caused by any reason other
than bankruptcy the Board of directors should advertise the matter for three consecutive
weeks so the creditors of the corporation can receive payment
Article 427: A corporation dissolved for a reason other than bankruptcy is to be
subsequently liquidated (Cleared).
Article 428: If the liquidation officers are not specified in the articles of incorporation ,
the General Assembly when dissolving the corporation will appoint the liquidation board.
Article 429: If the liquidation officers have not been appointed by either the articles of
incorporation or the General Assembly , the board of Directors must execute this matter.
Article 430: The liquidation officers, whether appointed by the articles of incorporation,
or the General Assembly, or the board of Directors executing the liquidation duties
according to Article 249, can be changed or dismissed by the General Assembly. On
request of interested persons, the Court may also change or dismiss the liquidation
officers after consideration.
Article 431: The properties of the corporation, after settlement of the debts of the
corporation, are distributed among the stockholders proportional to their shares.
People who, on the basis of the records and other recognized securities, are considered
creditors of the corporation, must be invited by registered letters to come to receive their
payments. Payments for the claims of those not appearing or claims not yet settled are
deposited in a recognized bank. The liquidation officers violating the above orders and
making unauthorized payments are personally and collectively held responsible.
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Article 432: Papers and records of the dissolved corporation at the end of the liquidation,
on request of the liquidating officers or other interested parties, may put away in a safe
place by the related Commercial Court for a period of 15 years.
Article 433: The provisions of Articles 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210,211, 212 ,213, 214,
215 , 216 , 217 , 218 , 219 , 220 , 221 , 222 , 223 , 224 ,225 ,226 ,227, 228, 229, 230, 232,
233, 239, 240 and 241 apply to corporations as well.
Article 434: Duties delegated to the directors according to Article 217 are executed by the
Board of Directors during a liquidation.
Article 435: Corporation are considered to exist after dissolution and until the end of
liquidation, and if the liquidation board should deem it necessary it can invite the General
Assembly to meet to decide relevant matters.
Article 436: The liquidation officers are to investigate the existing condition of the
company, prepare the property book and the balance sheet of the company, and present
them for approval to the General Assembly.
Article 437: Finally, the liquidating officers must prepare a terminal account and present
it to the General Assembly.
Article 438: The liquidation officers should complete their duties within one year. If this
should not prove possible, the officers must , at the end of the year, make a report on the
status of the liquidation and the reasons preventing the completion of liquidation within
the period of one year, and present it to the General Assembly for its approval to
continue in liquidation.
Article 439: The liquidating officers must receive the approval of the General Assembly
to sell properties on a wholesale basis.
Article 440: net assets of the company are distributed among the stockholders in
proportion to the money they invested. As far as the redemption of preferred shares is
concerned , actions should be taken according to the decision of the General Assembly,
unless otherwise stated in the articles of incorporation.
Article 441: If the dissolution of a corporation should take place because of its merger
with another company, the following applies:
1. the administration is vested in the newly established company but properties of
the dissolved company must be separated administered and liquidated until claims
on the company are paid.
2. A court which had authority over the dissolved corporation before it was
dissolved will continue such authority until its assets are separately administered.
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3. Members of the Board of Directors of the new company , until execution of the
first item of this Article, have a collective and personal responsibility for the
administration of the assets.
4. The matter of dissolution of the company should be registered in the Commercial
Registration Office and advertised.
5. The properties of the two uniting companies can not be merged before
completion of the period specified in Article 438.
Part IX – Profit and Loss Statement
Article 442: When distributing profit , at least five per cent of it should be kept in the
name of reserved capital to compensate for possible loss and damages. If there should not
exist anything explicit in the articles of incorporation about the increase of contingency
capital so accumulated, when it is equal onefourth of the capital of the company, it is no
longer increased by retaining the reserved profit. If the sale of the shares should exceed
their book value, the additional amount derived may also be added to the reserve capital.
If the reserve capital should become less than the amount prescribed by the articles of
incorporation or law, it is again raised according to paragraph one until the deficiency is
eliminated.
Article 443: Until losses of the company have been recompensed and reserve capital
deducted according to Article 442, the dividend is not distributed. Profits distributed
contrary to this order will not be considered legal and the provisions of Article 444 here
apply.
Article 444: If profits are distributed in bad faith in the absence of the balance sheet, or
based on unreal profits on the balance sheet, they should be returned. Claim for the return
of unreal profits, five years after the date specified in the articles of incorporation for the
distribution of profits, is valid.
Article 445: If profits do not permit or warrant payment of normal dividends or interest,
it is permissible to pay up to five per cent on the capital contribution or on bonds for a
period not to exceed five years. These amounts so paid out of the interest account may be
treated in the balance sheet as if they were preliminary.
Article 446: If the reserve capital should not be sufficient to meet the losses of the
company, no profit is distributed to stockholders until the loss has been completely
wiped out.
Subchapter E – Special Partnership Companies
Sherkat – Tazamoni – Mokhtalet (KomanditShirkat)
Article 447: Special partnership companies are those in which one or more of the
stockholders have collective and unlimited responsibility , but other stockholders have
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limited responsibility proportional to the shares they have in the company, in case of
debts to the company.
Article 448: The legal relations of collective stockholders to each other, to stockholders
with limited responsibility, and to third parties ; representation of the company; exodus
from the company; and especially administrative authority of the company are subject to
laws governing special partnership companies. In other specifications, provided
elsewhere in this chapter, the orders of corporation are applicable.
Article 449: All the items of Article 270 except item 6 must be included in the
“Komandit” companies are not subject to the provisions of Article 271.
Article 450: All the items of partnership Association of “Komandit” companies should be
signed by all of the stockholders. All persons participating in the preparation of the
Articles of Partnership are considered as founders. The founders can not be less than five
members and at least one of the founder should include in the Articles of Partnership the
amount of stocks which they have.
Article 451: Orders relating to the duties and responsibilities of the Board of Directors in
corporation are applicable to special partnership companies.
Article 452: Director of “Komandit” companies can be dismissed in accordance with the
conditions and circumstances determined for the dismissal of directors in General
Partnership companies.
Article 453: As in a general partnership, a general partner of the company can not engage
in commercial activities of a kind in which the company is without the permission of the
rest of the general partners of the company. He can not subscribe as a general partner in a
general partnership which is dealing. The general partner violating this is subject to the
provisions of Article 159. However, if the general partner or the Board of Supervisors
during one year do not object to the participation of the general partners in another
company, the right of objection is invalid.
Article 454: Execution of decisions of the general assembly unless provided otherwise in
the Articles of Partnership is the responsibility of the Board of Supervisors.
Article 455: The Board of Supervisors can represent the stockholders with limited
responsibility in case of a claim between the general partners and the general assembly of
partners with limited responsibility.
Special delegates can be selected by decision of the assembly of partners with limited
responsibility to this authority. The general partners can not be included in the Board of
Supervisor.
Subchapter F – Limited Companies
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Article 456: Commercial companies whose capital is not divided into shares, and in
which the responsibility of each partner is limited to his promised capital , are called
companies.
Article 457: With the exception of insurance , limited companies can be established for
any kind of business.
Article 458: Limited companies are established with the permission of the Ministry of
Trade. In the request all partners or their certified attorneys must sign a petition. All the
capital of the company should be pledged and at least half of it paid.
Article 459: In limited companies the minimum member of partners is two and the
maximum number is 50. The capital of such a company must not be less than Afghanis
100,000.
Article 460:The title of the company should be followed by the word “Limited” and on
all the papers and documents the amount of the capital should be written under the title of
the company.
Article 461: Stock certificates received for capital contributed in kind shall be specifically
identified as such. Transfers of these are restricted to the approval of the majority of the
partners controlling threefourth of the capital . If the capital is paid in kind, it can not be
transferred to another during the first three years of the company.
Article 462: In case a person who has not paid all of his promised capital transfers his
part to another person, the company can , during the first two years of the date of the
transfer, claim the remaining capital either from the initial partner or the new partner, but
after this period the claim is to be paid by the new partner.
Article 463: A limited company is administrated by one or more directors appointed from
among the partners or from outside the company. The directors are appointed either by
agreement of the company or by the subsequent decision of the partners.
Article 464: In any actions contrary to the law or the Articles of Partnership , the
directors are collectively and personally responsible.
Article 465: In companies having more than 20 partners, meetings of the partners are
subject to the conditions and formalities governing corporations. In companies having
less than 20 partners, decisions are made by the votes of the partners. In both cases,
partners representing half of the capital must vote in favor of the subject under discussion
for its approval.
Article 466: The contents of Article 151 apply to limited companies as well.
Article 467: In reaching decision, each partner’s vote counts proportionally to his share in
the business.
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Article 468: In the case of limited companies with not more than five partners , the
agreement can be amended with the approval of all the partners. In companies with more
than five partners, votes of partners representing twothirds of the capital are sufficient.
Article 469: With the death of bankruptcy of one of the partners, the company is not
dissolved . If a company has two partners, in the case of death or bankruptcy of one of
the partners the remaining partner presents another partners for the departed partner or
else the company is dissolved.
Article 470: In companies having over 20 partners, one or more supervising members are
named to act as the Board of Supervisors, as in the case of corporations.
Remark: There shall be in a limited company, as well as in a corporation , a
representative of the Government with the title of Commissioner to supervise in the
application of the law. The duties of the Commissioner are to be determined in
accordance with separate regulations.
Chapter III – Commercial Documents
Subchapter A – Drafts or Bills of Exchange
Part I – Form and Preparation of Bills of Exchange
Article 471: Bills of exchange must contain the following:
1. The words “Bill of exchange” should be written in the text of the document in
whatever language the bill of exchange has been written.
2. The order of the payment of a specific amount, unconditionally.
3. The name of the payee.
4. The item of payment.
5. The place of payment.
6. The name of the person authorized to receive the money.
7. The place and date the bill of exchange is written.
8. The signature of the person issuing the bill of exchange.
Article 472: Documents lacking any of the items of Article 471 will not be considered a
bill of exchange except in the following situations:
1. The bill of exchange whose payment time is not specified is payable upon
presentation.
2. For bills of exchange not showing the place of payment, the place mentioned after
the name of the addressee is the place of issuance is not mentioned, the place
following the name of the person issuing the bill of exchange is considered the
place where the bill of exchange has been issued.
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Article 473: Bills can be written to be payable by order of writer, or to the writer, or to
the account of a third person.
Article 474: Payment of a bill of exchange can be restricted to the residence of the third
person, whether at the home of the addressee or elsewhere.
Article 475: For bill of exchange which are payable either “on sight” or after a specified
time, the one issuing the bill of exchange can make it conditional that a portion of the
payment shall constitute interest. This provision is not allowed with respect to other bills.
Article 476: In cases where the amount of a bill of exchange is written both in letters and
figures , and there is difference between these two, the amount written in letters is
honored. In case the amount of a bill of exchange is written more than once all in letters
or all in figures, the there is a difference between these amounts, the lesser amount
honored.
Article 477: The signatures of those not qualified or authorized to sign a bill of exchange
can not affect the signatures of those who are qualified and authorized.
Article 478: A person, not counsel for another person, who signs a bill of exchange in the
letter’s name and account is liable for that bill of exchange. This order is also valid where
counsel violates his authorized limitations.
Article 479: Acceptance and repayment of bills must be assured by the issuers. Any
denial of ability to assume and repay the bills when due is not valid or allowable.
Part II – Endorsement
Article 480: A negotiable note is transferable by endorsement. If the writer adds “not
transferable or qualifying provisions, the note is not transferable by endorsement and is
considered an untransferable claim. A note can be endorsed in the name of addressee , the
writer, or another responsible person. With endorsement, all the privileges due to the note
are transferred.
Article 481: Endorsement should not be subject to any condition. Any condition related
to endorsement is without effect. The endorsement as a part of the draft is not accepted.
Article 482: Endorsement can be made on the note of another paper accompanying the
note. Endorsement should be signed by the endorser. If the name of the bearer is not
mentioned in the endorsement, or the endorser had only signed the note or the
accompanying paper, this endorsement is correct and acceptable. (Blank endorsement).
Article 483: If the endorsement should be of the blank kind, the bearer can:
1. Endorse it in his own name or in the name of and another person.
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2. Transfer it as blank or reendorse it to another person.
3. Transfer the note to another person without endorsement, or fill in the blank space
on the note.
Article 484: Unless otherwise specified, the endorser must accept and the note.
The endorser can forbid reendorsement. In such cases, the endorser is not responsible to
the person by whom the note was subsequently endorsed.
Article 485: Endorsement may be specific, to a given person, or may be in blank.
Endorsements which are crossed out are not valid. If the owner of a note endorsed in
blank loses possession of it, the finder or bearer is entitled to payment as the owner there
under if he can prove valid titles.
Article 486: If a bearer should bring suit against the responsible persons, defendants can
not free themselves of responsibility because of transactions with a previous bearer or
issuer.
Article 487: If the endorsement contains one of the following statements “collectible”,
“receivable” or a statement denoting delegation of authority the bearer, in spite of the
fact that he is entitled to all rights, can only endorse the note as an agent. In such a case,
interested parties can not bring a case against the bearer. The agency existing in the
endorsement holds true until death of the employer of the agent, or the invalidity of the
legal rights.
Article 488: In case the endorsement contains the statements “for guarantee”, or “for
mortgage” or other statements denoting these ideas, the bearer can take advantage of all
the rights resulting from this note, but the subsequent endorsement by him is only
considered as being made by an agent or representative to these rights.
Article 489: Endorsement made after the due date is considered to have been made
before. Unless otherwise specified, endorsement lacking the date is considered to have
been made before the expiration of the period specified.
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Part III – Acceptance
Article 490: A negotiable note can be presented for acceptance before the specified time
at the residence of the addressee by the bearer or any person having it.
Article 491: the writer can specify in the note, for the acceptance of the addressee, the
due date, or the writer can write the obligation of the bearer for acceptance without
specifying the date. The writer can also make the condition that a note can not be
accepted for payment before a specific date. Unless the writer writes the statement
“unacceptable” , every endorser can , with or without specification of the passage of a
period of time, make the note due.
Article 492: Notes whose presentations are subject to a specific period of time should be
presented within six months after the time the note has been written. The writer can either
increase or decrease this period, but the endorser can only decrease it.
Article 493: The bearer who presents a note for acceptance does not have to turn it over
to the acceptor prior to payment. The bearer, in due course, can present the note the day
after it has been first presented. If the bearer protests against additional delay, interested
parties are not permitted to withstand the second claim.
Article 494: Acceptance is denoted by the statement “Has been accepted” , or by an
equivalent statement , and this should be signed by the addressee. The signature of the
addressee alone on the note also denotes acceptance. In case payment of a note is to be
made during or after a specific period, should be bearer not ask for the registration of the
presentation date, any date on which acceptance has taken place should be registered. If
the addressee, while accepting the note, should not register the date, then it is necessary
that the bearer, for the sake of his own rights against the endorser and the writers, should
prepare a note of protest to prove the negligence of the addressee.
Article 495: The acceptance must be unconditional. However, the second person may
refuse to pay a small part of the amount involved. During the period of the acceptance,
other conditions modifying the contents of the negotiable note are not acceptable. In spite
of this, the acceptant is responsible under the terms he has accepted.
Article 496: If the note is made in such a way as to be paid in a place other than the
residence of the addressee, and if the name of the person to whom it should be paid is not
explicitly mentioned, it is understood that the acceptant has promised to pay the amount
of the note personally in the prescribed place.
Article 497: A person accepting a note is responsible for its payment. In case of refusal,
if the bearer should be the writer as well, according to Article 518 and 519, he can bring a
suit to claim all the pertinent rights.
Article 498: If the acceptance should have written his acceptance on the note and before
delivery of the note to the bearer he crosses out his writing, it is understood that he has
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refused to pay, but if the addressee has informed the bearer or one of the signatories of
the note of his acceptance in writing , and after that happened he crosses out his writing,
he is responsible within the limitations of his acceptance.
Part IV – Guaranty
Article 499: The payment of a negotiable note, in part or in full, could be executed
through guaranty. The guaranty will probably be made by a third person or by one of the
signatories.
Article 500: The endorsement should be registered on the note or on paper attached to the
note. “Guaranty” or words saying it is guaranteed, or some similar expressions are added
and singed by the guarantor. The signature of persons other than the issuer and addressee
on the draft will convey guarantee. It must be specified on the guaranty whose account is
guaranteed . If it is not specified , it will be accounted in the account of the issuer.
Article 501: The guarantor is as much responsible as the person who has been
guaranteed. If the note is not prepared in accordance with the law, the guarantor is not
responsible for his promise. If the guarantor does pay the amount of the note, he is
entitled to refer to the person guaranteed for or to those who are responsible for the
person guaranteed for.
Article 502: A negotiable note is paid under the following conditions:
1. During the period specified after the presentation.
2. During the specified period after the date of the note.
3. At the specified date due.
Remark: Notes whose payments are subject to presentation should be paid when
presented, and notes whose payments are to be made during a specified period after
presentation must be presented during the period specified for acceptance.
Article 503: Notes whose payments are subject to presentation should be paid when
presented, and notes whose payments are to be made during a specified period after
presentation must be presented during the period specified for acceptance.
Article 504: Payment dates for notes payments dates are during a specified period after
presentation are determined by the date of their acceptance or date of protest. As far as
the accepting party is concerned , where no protest is involved concerning notes whose
acceptance date is not known, the last day of the period specified for the presentation is
considered the time of acceptance.
Article 505: For notes whose payment should be made after one or more months of the
date of issue, or after presentation, their payment date is the one on which the payment
has been made in that month. If there should not be a specified day of the month, the last
day of the month is considered the due date. If payment should be made in a few months
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and a half, all the completed months should be accounted first. If the payment date should
be the first or the end of the month, these expressions imply the first 15 days and the last
15 days of the month. When eight or fifteen days are mentioned , it does not mean one
week or two weeks, but it means eight or fifteen real days. Half of the month is
interpreted as 15 days.
Article 506: As far as payment is concerned, if the calendar of the place at which the note
has been issued should differ from the calendar of the place where it is payable, the
calendar of the place where it should be paid is honored. If the due date should
correspond with a holiday , the payment should be made the day after the holiday. This
rule will also apply in the case of other commercial papers.
Part VI – Payment
Article 507: The bearer must refer to the addressee on the date the note is payable or, at
the most, after two working days.
Article 508: When the addressee pays the amount of the note, he requests the bearer to
sign it as evidence of payment, and then he should keep the note. Partial payment of a
note is not rejected, but the addressee can request to have the signature for the part paid
as evidence of payment.
Article 509: The bearer of a negotiable note does not have to receive the amount before
the due date. The addressee paying the note before the date due is himself responsible for
any loss caused by this act. The person paying the note close to the date due has no
responsibility provided this should have taken place through no fault or bad intention of
his. The person paying the note is responsible for investigation of the arrangement and
continuation of the endorsement but he is not responsible for investigating the accuracy
of the signatures of endorsers.
Article 510: I f the note should specify currency not used in the payment place, and if the
writer should not require the payment in that currency, then the payee may pay it in
accordance with the exchange rate of the payment date, in the currency used in that place,
but if the currency should be such that the person indebted is unable to pay in kind, then
the bearer can request that the payment should be made in the local currency at the
prevailing rate on the due date.
Article 511: The rates used in the payment place determine the basis for the value of the
foreign currency. The writer or one of the endorsers can exchange the money to be paid
and record it on the note. In case currency used in the issuing country and the paying
country should have the same name but different values, the currency of the payment
country is assumed.
Article 512: In case the note is not presented for payment during the period mentioned in
Article 507, each of the debtors can , at the expense of the bearer, transfer the amount of
the note to an authorized agency.
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Part VII
The right to act in case of nonpayment and nonacceptance
Article 513: The bearer has the right to recourse from the endorser and the maker and
other responsible persons in the following cases:
1. If during the specified time the note has not been paid.
2. If the payment of all or a part thereof should have been refused.
3. In case of the bankruptcy of the addressee, regardless of whether the note had
been accepted or not; or in case of delay in the payment by the addressee
regardless of the order of the Court; or in case the bearer has appealed to the
Court and has asked for control of the property of the addressee equivalent to the
amount of the note without any actual result.
4. In case of the bankruptcy of the issuer of the note which was not acceptable by
him.
Article 514: Refusal to accept or to pay should be proved with a formal paper called
“Protest of Nonacceptance or Nonpayment”. The Protest of Nonpayment should be
made on the date of the payment or during the subsequent two working days, and the
protest of Nonacceptance should be made during the period specified for the
presentation of the note for acceptance. As far as the second paragraph of Article 493 is
concerned , if the first presentation of the note should have taken place on the last day of
the pay period , the Protest could also be made on the following day. The Nonacceptance
Protest invalidates the default and absence of presentation. In cases mentioned in Item 3
of Article 513, the bearer, without presenting the note to the addressee, or the protest, can
use his right to refer against the responsible parties; as far as Item 4 of the above
mentioned Article is concerned, the bearer having as reason the bankruptcy of the issuer
can apply.
Article 515: the bearer must , within four working days after the date of the protest , or ,
if the return is conditioned without expense on the note, during the period of four
working days after the day of presentation, announce the matter of nonacceptance or
default to the endorser and the issuer. Any endorser informed must relay the news
received by him, together with the name and address of those sending him the news,
during the period of two working days, to those having endorsed to him. This process
should continue until the matter has reached the issuer. The periods mentioned start from
the date of the arrival of information.
If an endorser has not written his address or has written it illegibly , the only the
information sent by him to the endorser before him is sufficient. The person who has to
make the information must execute this through the format office. The person not
relaying the during the prescribed period is not invalidation his rights, and if there should
be any loss caused by his negligence, this loss is directed towards himself. The amount of
this loss can no exceed that of the note.
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Article 516: If the issuer or the endorser or the guarantor has written the statements
“Return without expense” or “Without Protest” or other statements implying this idea, the
bearer of this kind of a note is not subject to these restrictions in his application, but the
bearer of the negotiable note has to relay the information during the prescribed period to
the endorsers and the issuer. The proof of the absence of application of the period
regulation is to be made by the person who will be against the bearer. The condition put
by the issuer is applicable to all those signing the note. If such a condition should be put
by an endorser or a guarantor, it is only applicable to the endorser or the guarantor. If , in
spite of the conditions of the issuer, the bearer should protest, the expenses are to be
assumed by him.
1. In case the legally specified periods of the note payable on presentation or those
payable after a period on presentation have passed.
2. In case the Protest regarding nonacceptance or a default has been made after the
legally specified period.
3. If a note having the condition “without expense” has been presented after the
specified period, or if in the note the writer specifies that it be presented for
acceptance during a specific period. These conditions can be discharged that the
issuer considers himself somewhat responsible.
If an endorser has specified a period in his endorsement for presentation, only he can take
advantage of this period.
Article 517: Persons writing, accepting, or guaranteeing a note, are individually and
collectively responsible to the bearer. The bearer of the note, without having followed the
steps, has the right to bring suit against each and all of them. Exactly the same right is
held by any signer who has paid the amount of the note. The bringing of suit in the first
place against one of these can not prevent the bringing of suit by the bearer against other.
Article 518: The bearer may claim the following from the person against whom he has
preferred charges:
1. The amount of the negotiable note which has not been accepted., or which has been
accepted but not paid, together with its interest, if subject to interest.
2. Six per cent interest on the amount of the balance due from the due date.
3. The expenses of the Project and also those of information relayed by the bearer to the
endorsers and the writer, together with other expenses that might have been suffered
in this matter. If the right to complain has been used before the due date, the
negotiable note is discounted. The discount to be applied is that of the official rate of
the day (bank rate) or the rate of the free market area of the bearer.
Remark: The six per cent interest mentioned in Item 2 is applicable to all matters over
which no agreements are reached.
Article 519: The person paying amount of the note can make the following claims against
those responsible to him:
1. The total amount he has paid.
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2. The interest on the amount paid from the date of payment.
3. Any expense that he might have suffered in this matter.
Article 520: Any responsible person against whom claims have been made can , after
payment of the amount of the note, request that he be given a receipt for the note on the
paper of Protest. Any endorser who pays the amount of the note can cross out his
endorsement or those of his subsequent endorsers.
Article 521: In case of charges preferred after the partial acceptance, the person who pays
the rejected part of the amount of the note can request that this payment be recorded on
the note and the receipt for it given to him. The bearer should give him one true copy of
the note together with the Protest, so that subsequent use of the Protest will not be
possible.
Article 522: A person having the right to complain unless otherwise provided in the note,
may with a new negotiable note called the Return Note receive the amount of the note
from one of the persons responsible to him. It is necessary that the Return Note should
be payable at the place of residence of the receiver on presentation. The Return Note, in
addition to amounts claimed in Articles 518 and 519, must also contain the amounts for
brokerage, stamps, and transfer expenses.
Article 523: The right to prefer charges of the bearer against the writer, endorsers, and
other persons responsible for the note except the referring right against the acceptant are
invalid in the following cases:
Article 524: If during the periods legally specified, the presentation of the Note and the
Protest is not possible, due to reasons beyond control, the mentioned periods shall be
prolonged. The bearer of the note must, without delay, inform his endorser of the reason.
This information should be entered on the note or on an accompanying paper, which must
be dated and signed. After the uncontrollable reason has been eliminated, the bearer
should, without delay , present the note for acceptance or payment, and, if necessary ,
issue the Protest. If the uncontrollable reason should last for more than 30 days after the
due date, without any need for presentation of the note and the writing of the Protest, the
right to prefer charges can b e used. Concerning notes payable on presentation, or during
a period after the presentation, the period of 30 days in counted from the date the bearer
has informed his endorser of the uncontrollable reason, even if this date occurred before
the end of the presentation period. In cases where a protest should depend only on the
bearer or on the person obliged to present the note, this shall not be considered an
uncontrollable reason.
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Part VIII – Intermediate
Article 525: The writer or the endorser may introduce another person so that the
addressee could, in case of default, refer to him for acceptance or payment. The third
person and the addressee, or anyone who might have responsibility due to signing the
note (excepting those who accept the note) may act as intermediary. A person mediating
for anyone o f the signatories must so inform the person for whom he is mediating within
the period of two working days.
Accepting Through Mediation
Article 526: In case the due date of the note has arrived and the bearer has authority to
prefer charges, acceptance through mediation may take place. The bearer is free to accept
or reject mediation, but if the bearer accepts the offer of mediation, he loses the right to
prefer charges against the responsible parties before the due date.
Article 527: The acceptance of mediation shall be written on the note and signed by the
intermediary. The person in whose name the acceptance through mediation has taken
place shall be explicitly stated. In the absence of such an explicit statement, it is
considered to have taken place for the account of the issuer.
Article 528: The acceptant through mediation has responsibility to the bearer and , if this
acceptance through mediation should happen to be in behalf of the addressee, he is
responsible to the subsequent endorsers just as the addressee, he is responsible to the
subsequent endorsers just as the addressee. In spite of the acceptance through mediation,
the person for whom the mediation has taken place, or this legal counsel can, according
to Article 518, pay the amount and claim the note or , if necessary, the Protest paper.
Payment through Mediation
Article 529: In all cases where the bearer is entitled to prefer charges, whether during the
due date or before that, payment through mediation is possible. Payment through
mediation must include all the sum payable. It must be executed at the very latest on the
day following the last day specified for the protest of default.
Article 530: If a negotiable note has been accepted through mediation but not paid , the
bearer shall write the Protest of default the next day after the last date specified for the
Protest. In case the Protest is not made within the mentioned period, the person in whose
account the note is accepted and also the subsequent endorsers are without responsibility.
Article 531: The bearer not accepting payment through mediation according to Article
518 loses his right to prefer changes against those who are responsible for the payment
of the note.
Article 532: Payment through mediation for whomever it may be is evidenced by
explicitly writing and signing on the note. If the name of the person to whom the payment
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is to be made is to be made is not clearly written on the not, it is understood that the note
is for the writer. The note and the Protest form, in case same has been executed, are
given to the person who has made the payment through mediation.
Article 533: On payment through mediation, to whomever it is made, the rights of the
bearer and all those responsible to him are transferred to the payee, but that person can
not reendorse the negotiable note. Payment through mediation (from whomever it might
be) is a sign of the release of subsequent endorsers. In case there should be many
intermediaries for the payment through mediation , the mediation of any one of them who
acquits the most persons is preferred.
Part IX – Number of Copies of the Negotiable Note
Article 534: A Note may be issued in many copies, not different from each other, The
text of the copies should have serial numbers. Any copy of the note not having a serial
number is considered a separate note. If the text of the note should not have the
expression “Only one copy”, the bearer can , by agreeing to pay the expense, request
many copies. If the note should be in one copy and the endorsement is made on it, and
later the bearer gets many copies, he must refer to his previous endorser and this
endorser must refer to the endorser before him in favor of the bearer, and the
endorsement should go in this way. The endorser must make their endorsements on the
new copies.
Article 535: If payment should be made against one copy of a note which has many
copes, the other copies are without effect. In spite of this, the addressee is responsible for
any copy not returned. The endorser submitting many copies to many persons and the
subsequent endorsers are responsible for all the copies not rejected and bearing their
signatures.
Part X – Forgery & Alteration
Article 536: The forgery of a signature in a Note, whether it be of the issuer or of the
acceptance, does not affect other signatures on the note.
Article 537: If an alteration is made in the text of a negotiable note, the persons signing it
after the alteration has taken place are responsible for the amount after alteration, and
those who have signed it before the alteration are responsible for the original text of the
note.
Part XI – Passage of Time Article 538: All cases brought against the acceptant because of the note are without effect
three years after the due date. The cases brought by the bearer against the endorsers and
the issuer are without effect after one from the date of the Protest made during the
specific period thereof ( or , if the note should contain the condition of “return without
expense”, from the due date). Cases brought by endorsers against each other or against
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the writer lose their effect after six months of the date of the payment by the endorser, or
of the date the cases against them were brought.
Article 539: Transaction requiring termination at a specified time are valid only in case of
those persons who will take advantage of them.
Part XII –General Regulation
Article 540: If the due date of a negotiable note falls on a holiday, payment is made on
the following working day, and also all transactions relating to the note, especially the
matter of its presentation for acceptance and the writing of Protest, should take place on
a working day. In case one of the abovementioned transactions should fall due in a
period the last day of which is a legal holiday, the period is prolonged until the first
working day after the holiday. Holidays occurring in the period are counted
Article 541: The first day of the time specified legally according to a contract is not
counted in the abovementioned period.
Article 542: The responsibility of persons in a negotiable undertaking is according to the
laws of the nationality of the persons involved.
Article 543: All promises concerning a negotiable note are subject to the laws of the
country in which the promises are made.
Article 544: The Protest or any action taking place to protest the rights initiating from a
negotiable note or the uses thereof are subject to the laws of the country in which the
actions take place.
Subchapter 8 – Promissory Notes Article 545: A commercial promissory note has the following points:
1. The expression “Promissory Note” on the document in whatever language is
written.
2. The unconditional payment of the specified amount.
3. The due date of the payment.
4. The place for the payment.
5. The name of the person is whose behalf or on whose order the payment is to be
made.
6. The place and date of the writing of the promissory note.
7. The signature of the person issuing the promissory note.
Article 546: A document not having any one of the abovementioned points is not
considered to be a promissory note except in the following cases:
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A promissory note not containing the due date is payable on presentation, and if a
promissory note should not contain the place of payment, the place at which it was
issued, or the place at which the writer resides, is considered the payment place.
If the place at which the promissory note was issued is not mentioned in the text of the
note, the address written beside the signature of the writer is considered its issuing place.
Article 547: The following regulations governing negotiable notes are also applicable to
the promissory note:
Endorsement, Articles 480510
Guaranty , Articles 499501
Due Dates, Articles 502506
Payment 507512
Right to Prefer Charges, in case of Default, Article 513,520,522 and 523.
Intermediary of the payment through mediation, Articles 525,529, and 523
Forgery and Alteration, Articles 536537
Passage of Time, Articles 538539
Method of Calculating Official Days, Articles 540541
Payment in the Place of the Resident of other person, Articles 474 and 496
Agreement on the Interest, Article 475
Difference in Statements Dealing with Payable Amount, Article 476
Result s of Signature of Qualified Persons, Article 477
Action on the Signature of a person who is not an Attorney or who violates Terms
Established for the Executor, Article 478
Article 548: The person signing a promissory note bears the same responsibility as a
person accepting any negotiable note. When the note is signed, after a period from the
date of presentation (provided the expression “approved” is written on it by the signer) it
is presentable within the specified period of Article 492. If the signer refuses to put the
expression “Approved” and record the date, then according to Article 494 the refusal
should be proved through a Protest paper. The date of this Protest paper is considered to
be the first of the payment period after the presentation of the document.
Subchapter C – Checks
Part I – Checks
Article 549: A check should have the following features:
1. The word “check” in the next of the document.
2. The order of effect the unconditional payment of the sum
3. The name of the payee.
4. The place of payment
5. The record of the place and date of issue of the check.
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6. The signature of the person issuing the check.
Article 550: A document not containing any one of the criteria of Article 549 is not
considered a check except in the following cases:
If the payment is not mentioned in the check, the address written beside the name of the
addressee is considered the payment as well as the living place of the addressee.
If the place at which the check has been issued is not mentioned, the place beside the
name of the person issuing the check is considered the place of issue.
Article 551: A check is considered when the person issuing it has funds with the
addressee and the addressee is obliged to pay it through an agreement explicit or
understood.
Article 552: A check is considered payable in the following manner:
1. To a specified person or by his order.
2. To the bearer.
If the payee of the check is not indicated, the check shall be regarded as a “bearer” check.
Article 543: The person who issues the check can do so in his own name.
Article 544: If the check should be issued with interest as a term, such a term is not
recognized.
Article 555: In case there should be a different between the numbered amount and the
written amount of check, the latter amount is valid.
Article 556: In case a check should have the signature of those not authorized to sing the
check, or forged signatures, or the signature of those not real , in addition to the signature
of the authorized person, the commitment of the qualified person who has singed the
check is recognized.
Article 557: Persons issuing checks in the name or account of a person for whom they are
not executor are responsible the consequences.
Article 558: The person who issues the check is a guarantor for this payment. Where
conditions are imposed by one who demands guarantees other than this, the person
issuing the check in such case is released from the guarantee after payment of the
amount.
Part II – Endorsement
Article 559: Any check except the one for the bearer is transferable with endorsement. If
the writer should use the expression “Not transferable or anything to imply this idea, the
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check can not be transferred by endorsement. A check may be endorsed to the addressee,
to the writer, or to any other person. These persons may in turn reendorse the check to
others. With endorsement, all rights resulting from the check are transferred.
Article 560: The endorsement should be unconditional. Otherwise the specification of the
condition and the endorsement is not recognized. Endorsement of part of the amount of
the check is not recognized. Endorsement by the addressee is not acceptable.
Endorsement in the name of the addressee assumes receipt.
Article 561: Endorsement may be on the check or on accompanying paper. The
endorsement should be signed by the endorser. If the endorser should be satisfied with
only signing it, without reference to the name of the bearer, the endorsement is
acceptable. The regulations for blank endorsement in Article 483 through 488 are
applicable to checks as well.
Part III – Guaranty Article 62: The regulations of Article 499 through 501 concerning the guaranty of
negotiable note are applicable to the guaranty of check as well.
Part IV – Presentation and Payment
Article 563: A check is payable when presented. Any condition contrary to this is not
accepted.
Article 564: If the is paid in the same place it was written, the owner must claim payment
of it within 15 days of the date of its issue. If it should be issued from one part of the
country to anther, its payment should be claimed with two months of the date of issuance.
Concerning checks issued abroad which should be paid in Afghanistan, the regulations
regarding checks can claim payment is four months from the date of issuance of the
check.
Article 565: If the place of issuance of the check and that of payment of the check should
have different calendars, that date which coincides with the date of the calendar of the
place of payment is taken.
Article 566: If the owner of the check does not claim the amount of the check during the
legal period, his case against the endorser is not heard. If the amount of the check, due to
a reason related to the addressee, should not exist, the bringing of the case of the owner
against the writer is not acceptable either, but the addressee can pay the amount even
after the expiration date of the check.
Article 567: If the writer of the check should die after he has issued the check, or should
be deprived of authority and qualification , this fact does not affect the check.
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Article 568: The person receiving the amount of the check must endorse it. The owner of
the check is entitled to accepted part of the amount mentioned and in such a case he must
endorse only for the amount received.
Article 569: If the check payable should be written in currency different from the
currency of the paying country, the payable amount could be (with the request of the
bearer) exchanged according to the rate of the day of payment. If payment is not made at
the time of presentation, the owner of the check may, of his own will , request that
payment be made in the currency of that country on the basis of the rate on the date of
presentation. The value of the foreign currency could be determined on the basis of
local custom. However, the writer can specify that payment be made on the basis of the
rate mentioned in the check.
Part V – Cancelled Checks and Checks Transferable to Accounts.
Article 570. the writer or owner of a check can cancel it. Cancellation is effected by
placing two parallel lines of the check. It is either public or private, depending on
whether either a blank or the word banker or equivalent appears between the lines or the
name of the banker is written between the two lines. Public cancellation is changeable to
private but vice versa through the erasure of the line and the word banker or the name of
the banker is not allowed.
Article 571. In case of check cancelled privately, the addressee can transfer it only to the
banker whose name has been written or if the banker himself be the addresses it could
only be transferred to his customer. The banker whose name has been mentioned can
refer the check for payment to other banker. The banker cannot treat the cancelled check
in an account other than that of his own customers or other banker. The addresses of the
banker not following the abovementioned regulations is responsible for any loss
resulting to the amount mentioned in the check.
Article 572. The writer or the owner can prevent the payment of a check in cash trough
writing of the check the expression nonnegotiable and adding is payable in the account
to the check is not permitted.
PART VI Action in Cases of Nonpayment
Article 573. In case of refusal of payment the owner of the check can refer to the
endorsers’ writer and all those responsible. The owner can present any one of the
following reasons for refusal to pay:
1. Protest by a formal paper
2. Endorsement of the check by the addressee together with the date .
3. The certification of the commercial code to the effect of presentation of the check
with the recorded date.
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Article 574. The protest should be made before the end of the period specified for the
presentation. If the check is to be presented of the last day of the specified period the
protest may be made the next working day.
Article 575. On refusal to pay after protest the owner of the check may inform his
endorser or the writer during the period of four working days after the submission of the
protest. Within four working days after he has received the information every endorser
must inform his previous endorser and with such information relay the names and
addresses of all those who have relayed previous information.
This should be followed until it has reached the writer if the check has been guaranteed
the guaranteed the guarantor must also be informed during the same period the
information may take place by return of the check or by a registered check through the
post office.
The date of arrival of the mail has no bearing on the determination of the period of
information. A person not informing during a specified period does not lose his rights
but, because of his negligence if any loss should result he is responsible for
compensation. However his responsibility does not exceed the amount written on the
check.
Article 576. the bearer of the check can bring cases against all those having responsibility
in the check individually or collectively and in doing so he is not responsible to honor the
arrangement for the endorsement and this right is also reserved for any paying person.
Bringing suit against one responsible party does not prevent suing others.
Article 577: The bearer or the payee of the check can claim the following from
responsible parties.
1. The unpaid amount of check
2. The interest
3. Any expense of the protest etc that might have been paid by him.
Article 578: Any responsible person confronted with suit can, on payment of the check,
request the Protest and the receipt. The endorser having received the check and paid for it
can cancel his own endorsement and those of his subsequent endorsers.
Part VII – The Number of Copies of the Check
Article 579: It is possible to issue a check in many copies. In such case every copy must
bear the same number and it should be mentioned thereon how many copies of the check
there are , and should be paid on account of the first.
Article 580: When payment has been made on the first copy, other copies lose their
effect.
Part VIII – Fraud and Alteration Article 581: The contents of Articles 536 and 537 concerning fraud and alteration are
applicable to checks as well.
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Part IX – Passage of Time
Article 582: Suits brought by the bearer against the endorsers and the writer are cancelled
six months after the end of the period of presentation, and also the suit of each of the
responsible parties in cancelled six months after date of payment. The contents of Article
539 are applicable to checks as well.
Article 583: The provisions of Articles 540 and 541 dealing with negotiable notes and
promissory notes are also applicable to checks.
Subchapter D – Loss of Commercial Documents Article 584: If the bearer of a commercial document should prove his ownership by
discontinued endorsements, he does not have to return the amount he has received unless
it is proved that he had received this through illegal means.
Article 585: The bearer who loses a commercial document may have the document
invalidated in a Court which hears commercial cases. The document and circumstances
relating to ownership in the loss should be explained as well as possible by the claimant .
If the Court considers the reasons of the claimant sufficient, the Court, in writing, can
order nonpayment to the acceptant if the document was an accepted negotiable note; or
if it was an unacceptable negotiable note or a check the Court can in writing order
nonpayment by the writer and the addressee; if the document is in the name of the bearer,
the Court can, in writing, order nonpayment by the addressee. The contents of the
document and the need for its presentation within two months should be advertised in
official and unofficial papers three times, At the end of this period, necessary action
towards invalidation of the document is taken.
This period is in effect from the date of advertisement in the official paper about the
document whose due period is completed; and from the date of completion of its due
period about the documents whose due periods are completed after the third
advertisement; and from the last day of the presentation period about the document
whose payment is subject to presentation, and whose presentation period has not been
completed by the date of the third advertisement.
Article 586: A person requesting invalidation of a document may prepare a statement as
to the real content of the document, and send it to the addressee within the period and at
the place legally specified. This same statement is considered as a protest to the payment,
and the absence of the payment and presentation.
Article 587: If the document is not presented by the end of the period specified, the Court
can – on request of plaintiff – rule as to the validity of the document, and inform the
person as provided in Article 585. In case of a ruling of invalidity, the plaintiff can claim
his rights from the acceptor of the negotiable note, or if the document should be an
unacceptable negotiable note or promissory note or a check, from the writer, as if he
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owned the original of the lost document. The defendant has the Court and contest the
ruling.
Article 588: If the statement is presented to the related Court before the end of the period
of advertisement, the Court execute the directives of Article 585 concerning the relaying
of information and should hear the case in accordance with law, and render a decisions.
Chapter IV – Commercial Agreements Subchapter A – General Regulations
Article 590: If two or more persons should have, collectively, a commitment to third
person during a business transaction, whether of commercial nature to one or all of them,
unless otherwise stated in the contract they are collectively responsible. This same order
is applicable to persons guaranteeing a debt.
Article 590: If, because of some commercial contract, an amount is due in foreign
currency not legally used in Afghanistan, the amount may, at the end of the due period ,
be changed into Afghanis. But if, during the contract, the payment should explicitly be
provided to be paid in the foreign currency, or there should be a statement to this effect,
the payment in the same currency must be recognized.
Article 591: A person not fulfilling his commercial commitment through importer
delivery or delay, after being warned officially or by registered letter, must compensate
for the loss in profit suffered by the person to whom he is committed. Uncontrollable
reasons are exceptions to this order.
Article 592: If the person has committed himself should break his commitment, or should
not fulfill the commitment that is to be executed at a particular time or during a particular
period, or if the subject of the commitment should not execute an act and he executes
same, suit to recover the loss may be filed without notice.
Article 593: If the amount mentioned in the contract as “Compensation for Loss” exceeds
the amount of the profit that would have been received by the person to whom the
commitment was made, the Court can not reduce that amount. Unless otherwise stated
explicitly in the contract, the person specified in the name of compensation for loss for
the execution of the commitment. If the loss to be paid by the person to whom the
commitment had been made should exceed the amount specified as compensation for
loss, unless otherwise specified explicitly in the contract.
Article 594: If the commitment is not executed because of reasons which could not be
anticipated, or because of shortcomings of the creditor, or there is a waiver condition
accepted by the person to whom the commitment has been made, the person who has
made the commitment is in no way responsible for any kind of payment as compensation
for the loss.
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Article 595: The down payment is considered valid evidence that the contract has been
made. In case of both parties executing their commitments , the down payment is taken
into accounts. If a contract should be broken with consent of both parties, or for a reason
that doesn’t involve compensation for the loss. The down payment is returned to its
owner.
Article 596: Unless otherwise stated in the contract, or used in the commercial custom,
the party who through his own shortcomings doesn’t fulfill the commitment is not
entitled to claim down payment paid by him.
Article 597: If one of the contracting parities in absence of payment or promise of
payment should , through agreement, reserve the right to initiate a conditional sum for
himself, the party can not execute the initiated right until the agreement of acceptance has
been fulfilled.
Article 598: Interest on commercial debts is calculated after the specified period, or , of
the date should be specified , from the date indicated.
Article 599: A person having the authorization of a merchant who has made a transaction
for a merchant or nonmerchant that was necessary for his business or beneficial to him
has the right to ask for a return due to the transaction he has made.
He moreover entitled to request the amount he has given in advance for fulfilling an
action or receiving profit, and the expenses he has incurred, with interest, starting from
the date of the expense.
Article 600: Interest in commercial transactions may be determined on the basis of the
consent of both parties.
Article 601: A commercial contract is to be executed in the place mentioned in the
contract. If it should not be mentioned in the contract, it should be executed in a place
that may be determined on the basis the nature and purpose of the business. If the
execution place is not mentioned in the contract, and also can not be inferred, the person
who has made the commitment must execute his commitment where his place of business
is located, or , if he does not have a place of business, it may be executed at the place
where he lives.
Article 602: Settlement of the amount involved in the contract, unless otherwise
explicitly or by inference stated in the laws, should take place where the place of business
of the creditor is located, or if he does not have a place of business it should take place in
his private residence. Debtors are not entitled to claim expenses and losses incurred
through settlement.
Article 603: The request for execution of a promise whose time of execution is not
specified in the contract is possible at any time , but if the execution of the promise
should subject to the passage of a period according to tlo9cal custom, the person who has
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made commitments can not be made to execute the promise before the end of the
mentioned period.
Article 604: If it should be a condition that the promise be realized during a period
explicitly or implicitly specified , in the end of that period should correspond to a public
holiday, it should be executed at lest one day before. If the debtor has permission to
make payment before. If the debtor has permission to make payment before the date
due, provided custom should not be against it , he can not reduce or discount the debt
without the permission of the creditor.
Article 605: If there is nothing explicit concerning the kind and quality of goods whose
receipt has been promised, the person who has made the promise can give goods of
average kind and quality but as he does not have to give the best quality , in the same way
he is not allowed to give the worst.
Article 606: In case a promise binds both parties it is not necessary for one particular
party to execute his part before the other has , but if one party is given priority in
executing his duty explicitly by the contract, or by the nature of the business, or by
current custom, he must execute his part even though the other has not.
Article 607: In case one of the parties executes his part and the other do not, the person
who has executed can send a note to the one who has not to the effect that if he does not
fulfill has responsibilities during a specified period the contact will be invalidated. After
that , he can refer to the Court and request invalidation of the contact. The party who has
referred to the Court to validate the contract can not request the fulfillment of the
contract. Just as after the request of validation the Court can not give time to the
defendant to execute his responsibilities, in the same way the Court can not accept the
proposition set forth by the defendant regarding the execution of the promise. If the
invalidation of the contact depends on a condition, or if for its taking place a period is
determined explicitly or inferentially, after the realization of the condition or the passage
of the period, no party is required to agree to execute the promise requested by the other
party.
Subchapter B – Commercial Contracts
Part I – Contract Procedure
Article 608: In order for a commercial contract to take place, the consent of both parties
is sufficient. Preparation of a contract or other ceremonies is not necessary.
Article 609: If it is required by the law that the contract be written on a special form , or
if both parties delay the contract for certain ceremonies, the contract can not take place
without that form or before those ceremonies. If both parties have agreed on the
preparation of the contract, it is understood that the execution of the contract has been
delayed for preparation of the contract. If the contract is not prepared but it is proved that
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both parties have agreed to make the contract, absence of the prepared contact is not an
excuse for not executing the contract.
Article 610: If it has been necessary to specify a period for acceptance, acceptance can
not take place before the end of that period, even if both parties agree. If an agreement
should be necessary , without specifying a period of acceptance the validity of acceptance
is conditional to the immediate acceptance and presence of the parties concerned. A
contract made by communication means, such as telephone, is as if it had take place in
the presence of the parties concerned. A contract made by communication means, such as
telephone, is as if it had taken place in the presence of the parties concerned.
Article 611: When the act of acceptance takes place in writing, if the period is not
determined, the contract initiator can not disregard the act of acceptance before the
termination of the time necessary for thinking and positively answering by the acceptor.
Article 612: The acceptance answer should be sent during a specified period that should
reach the contract initiator. If the answer comes after this period, the contract does not
take place unless it is found that the acceptance answer has been give during the
specified required period. The contract initiator must at once inform the other party about
the delay in receiving the answer being responsible for the contract not taking place.
Otherwise, the contract is valid.
Article 613: Lack of response by the other party does not imply acceptance. In case two
members have permanent commercial relations, or if one of them requests the other to
execute certain transaction is his name, the decision made by the person referred to
should at once be made known to the opposite party, or else the lack of response is
considered as acceptance. They party rejecting the initiated proposition has to take
special steps about the goods sent to him when the proposition was made, as mentioned
in Articles 762 and 763.
Article 614: If the acceptance’s answer is not in agreement with the proposition, the
contract does not take place. In such case, the acceptance necessitates another
proposition.
Article 615: In order for a telegram concerning the proposition or the acceptance to the be
acceptable, it is necessary that it be proved that it contains the signature of the sender or
has been sent with his consent.
Article 616: In case the proposition is made in writing, the contract takes place from the
date of arrival of the acceptant’s answer to the proposal; but if the proposer should be
informed before the arrival of the answer or during this time of the rejection by the
acceptant, the proposition is without effect.
Article 617: A contract taking place by communication is valid from the date the
acceptance answer has been sent. Just as mentioned in Article 613, in case it is not
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necessary that acceptance be explicit, the contract is in effect from the date the
proposition has reached the addressee.
Article 618: The death or disqualification of merchant does not necessitate the invalidity
of his proposition in acceptance concerning his commercial transactions unless
otherwise explicitly mentioned or understood from the nature of that transaction.
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Part II – Interpretation of Commercial Contracts
Article 619: If the meaning of the statement of a commercial contract should be explicit
and logical, the apparent meaning is assumed. Otherwise the real purpose is honored. If
the content of the statement is inconsistent with that of the contract, the interpretation of
purpose is held applicable.
Article 620: In case a statement has many interpretation , the common purpose is
determined from the contents of other contracts, to custom, or the transactions and
circumstances prevailing at the time of the preparation of the contract, or according to
previous applications.
Article 621: In case the statement should have unusual and common meanings, it is
interpreted as according to which meaning it is closer to.
Article 622: In case the statement of the contract should be interpreted with many
meanings , and according to Article 620 the real purpose of both parties should not be
determined , the contract is interpreter against the person promising and for person to
whom the promise has been made.
Article 623: Recognition is given to commercial custom as well as to legal orders in
commercial transaction unless otherwise explicitly agreed to by both parties.
Part III – Means of Proving Commercial Contracts
Article 624: The Court rules as to the proof of the contract on the basis of commercial
documents and commercial contracts. Unless otherwise stated in this law, witnesses and
evidence are used to the benefit of the Court and the statement of plaintiff has no
bearing.
Article 625: The return of the document to the debtor, unless proved otherwise, is
considered as the reason for payment.
Article 626: When documents or commercial transactions, the validity of witnesses, may
issue an order.
Article 627: Confession or admission is not qualified. Therefore, it is necessary that the
statement made by the defendant be either all rejected or all accepted.
Article 628: if a written statement does not exist, and a person has either explicitly or
inferentially accepted a bill or a note, it is understood that he has accepted the contents
therein also. If a person takes a bill , and if he did not then protest its contents, it is
understood that he has accepted the contents therein.
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Subchapter C – Commercial Price
Part I – General Regulations
Article 629: The consent of both parties regarding the property and the price is
considered to be acceptance of the price. To send the current price and the catalog or the
offer to sell without specifying the nature, quantity, and price of the goods is not
considered to be a proposition.
Article 630: If a seller sells the property of others, the buyer can not be their owner, but
the seller has to either buy the goods and turn them over to the buyer or , if additional loss
had been suffered, he has to compensate for the loss incurred.
Article 631: If a merchant should sell or receive the movable properties of another
person, in case the buyer does not have the facts the buyer is the owner of the property
sold, but if it is proved that the property sold was from a theft or was lost, the ownership
of the buyer is cancelled.
Article 632: The price of commercial goods which was unknown at the time of contract
and which was established at the time of delivery is considered applicable.
Article 633: If, during a contract, the destruction and loss of goods concerned should be
anticipated by both parties, its price can be determined but in case of realization of the
anticipated event the buyer is not entitled to return of his payment.
Article 634: All expenses concerning the receiving of contracted property, such as
weighing and measuring, related to the seller, and all the expenses concerning the
delivery such as expense of transportation relate to buyer, unless otherwise expected by
the contract or commercial custom.
Article 635: If it should be necessary that articles sold be sent from another place to the
buyer, and there is no condition made by the buyer concerning the delivery, in such case
the seller takes steps towards the selection of transportation means for the properties and
their protection as the buyer would.
Article 636: To send an article of goods sold to the residence of the buyer by the seller ,
or to send it to another place mentioned in the contract, is understood as a delivery, but I f
the seller should send the sold property with a person and advise him that the seller
must pay the price and other necessary provisions, or else he is not to be given the
goods, in this case the sending of the goods is not considered as delivery.
Article 637: To send a sold article or , with the consent of the seller, to place the mark of
the buyer on the articles sold, provided the property is transported across land, ocean, or
river, is considered as delivery
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Article 638: The buyer who has purchased the property the quantity of which is
determined from the wholesale point of view, can not be made to receive part of it. But if
the buyer should have accepted partial shipment, he can make the seller deliver the
balance due, or for not having received the balance suffered by him through this deed.
Article 639: The buyer may request the invoice for the property sold, or if it has been
paid for, its recording on the invoice.
Article 640: After the completion of the contract, the loss suffered through the property
sold, even if it should be accidental , is the responsibility of the buyer, but the loss
resulting from the shortcoming or fault of the seller or the defect of property sold relates
to the seller.
Article 641: After the completion of the contract, the loss suffered through the property
sold relates to the seller in the following cases:
1. If the property sold is not specified and there are not distinguishing marks to
differentiate if from other properties of the same kind.
2. If the property sold, whose weighing and measuring is necessary for the transfer ,
is changed or destroyed ( but if the buyer in spite of warning to be present either
himself or through a representative for weighing and measuring does not do so,
the loss suffered relates to him).
3. If the transfer of a property sold should be conditioned for future delivery.
4. In case the buyer is ready to receive the goods sold but the seller, in spite of the
notice doe not take action to deliver the item.
Article 642: The loss suffered through mishandling of articles by the transportation agent
or commission agent after the property has been given to them relates to the buyer.
If the transportation of goods should be subject to special conditions, the seller must
follow these conditions. Otherwise he will be responsible for the loss suffered by the
buyer. If the place where the property is sent should be considered by both parties as the
delivery place, in such case the loss suffered to the property while in transit relates to the
seller. If the seller only undertakes to pay the expenses for transportation , the place
where the goods are sent is not considered the giving place.
Article 643: The price should be specified , or there should be a way to this end. In case
the price is not specified , and the goods have not been given either, the current price at
the place and time of the contract is taken as base. If the current rate at the place and
time of contract be varied , the buyer has to pay the average rate.
Article 644: The right to determine the price by third person is allowed by contract. If the
third person for any reason did not settle the price, the buyer must pay the currnet rate, or
if there should be a varied he must pay the average current rate. If there is not a current
rate, the price is set by the Court.
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Article 645: If the buyer has not made payment, or he goes bankrupt during the period
between the date of contract and delivery, even if the seller should have deferred the time
of payment but has not received reliable guarantees, the seller has the right not to make
delivery, the seller has the right not to make delivery.
Article 646: If settling the price is conditioned to weighing the property sold, the weight
of the container is subtracted unless otherwise stated in the contract or used by the
customer. If the weight of the container should be determined on the basis of real weight
of the property sold, or on the basis of some other standard, or part of the weight of the
property sold is reduced as the weight of the container, or if the price of the destroyed and
useless part of the property sold which is given is reduced, this is possible through the
contract, or, if a contract does not exist, through the current local custom.
Article 647: Prior to the full payment of the goods, the condition of nontransference of
ownership to the purchaser by the seller is valid. When the goods are delivered, the cost
is payable by the purchaser from the date of delivery.
Article 648:_____________________________________________________________
rate of the market or stock exchange, unless otherwise specified in the contract the
average rate of the place and times of the contract existing in the market or the stock
exchange is taken as standard. If this arrangement is not possible, the average rate of the
sales of these same kinds of property at the time and place of contract is accepted.
Article 649: The interest on the price of the property sold in the name of compensation
for loss is calculated from the date the property has been given, but if the buyer has
refused to receive the goods the interest is calculated after the date the information has
been sent to effect the receiving by the buyers.
Article 650: If the execution of the commitment is divisible in many ways depending on
the nature of the contract, or the purpose of both parties, or the property sold, and if one
the parties should not have fulfilled his commitment, the other can invalidate the contract.
Article 651: If a false takes place on the basis of a sample , it is the duty of the seller to
prove that has provided identical goods, but if the sample should be destroyed while in
the hands of the buyers, then to the sample.
Article 652: It is permissible for a buyer for examination and experimentation, and
approval of the goods.
Article 653: If property is given to the buyer for examination and experimentation, they
buyer must, on the basis of the contract, or in the absence of same, during a period
specified by custom, express his acceptance or rejection of the property sold.
If there is no period specified in the contract or by custom, the seller specifies a
reasonable period and invites the buyer to either reject or accept the property sold during
that period. If the buyer does not announce his decision during the prescribed period, it is
understood that he has accepted the property sold. If the buyer des not state his rights in
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the matter explicitly, and if he has paid the price of the goods in full or in part, or if he
has received the property sold in a manner different from the receiving necessary for
experimentation, the sales is complete.
Article 654: In a sale taking place according to Article 652 , if the buyer has not
expressed his decision of acceptance or rejection or during a prescribed period by
contract or custom, the sale is not considered to have taken place. If no period is specified
in the contract or through custom, the seller specifies a reasonable period and invites the
buyer to use this authorized period. If a buyer is silent during this period, the sale is
considered not to have taken place.
Article 655: If the sale is in accordance with conditions laid by contract and the law, the
buyer must receive the property sold during the period set forth in the contract or by
custom. If the buyer does not fulfill this obligation and has paid the price, the seller can,
after warning the buyer about the matter, request the Court to appoint a responsible
person to guard the property sold. On such request, the Court at once appoints a
responsible person without sending for the buyers.
If the appointment of a caretaker or if the delay in receiving goods should cause a loss, it
should be compensated by the buyer. If the nature of the property is such that it can not
be trusted to other persons, or if in order to guard the property the expense is more than
the price of the property , or if it is necessary to rent a storage place , the seller can, after
relaying this information to the buyer, on the basis of Court permission , sell the goods
openly (Auction). The money received from such sale by the seller, after deduction of the
sales expenses, should be put in a bank in the name of the buyer. If there is no bank , he
can deposit this money with Court permission in another safe place. After the property or
price thereof is deposited in a safe place, the information in at once relayed to the buyer
by the seller.
Article 656: In case the buyer does not pay the price during a specified period set forth in
the contract or by custom, just as the seller is entitled to claim the price so also he is
entitled to inform the buyer through registered letter to fulfill his commitments within the
specified period set forth by the seller. If the buyer does not pay the price during this
period , the seller can , according to Article 655 , sell the goods, and if the property sold
has a current rate in the stock exchange or in the market , the seller can, without having
to sell the goods committed for selling, ask the difference between the sales price and the
price existing at the end of the period in the stock exchange or the market from the buyer.
Article 657: In case the seller does not give the goods to the buyer during the period set
forth in the contract or by custom, the buyer shall invite the seller, through registered
letter or otherwise, to have the goods ready for delivery. If at the end of this period the
seller does not deliver the goods , the buyer can appeal to the Court and request
invalidation of the contract together with the loss suffered and the profit which he has
been deprived of. If a buyer wishes, he can buy the necessary goods either directly or
through a Court from a third person, and if the price paid by him should exceed that
which would have been paid for the goods committed for sale before, this additional
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price can be claimed from the first seller. In case the property committed for sale should
have a current rate in the market or in the stock exchange, the buyer can , without buying
the goods, ask for the difference of the rates between the price of the goods committed
for sale and that used currently. In this case, as well as in the case where he buys from a
third person, the buyer is entitled to protect his rights concerning the loss he has suffered
according to Article 591.
Article 658: If in the sale according to the specifications, or because of the kind and
nature of the properties committed for sale and the purpose of the purchase, the buyer and
the seller must necessarily execute their commitments during a specified period, and if ,
at the end of this period , they have not executed their commitments , the other party can,
because of the commitment not having been executed without informing, according to
Articles 656 and 657, claim the invalidity of the contract and compensation for the
property loss, but the party authorized t invalidate the contract, who may want the
commitment to be executed exactly , must , before the end of the period , request the
execution of the promise.
Article 659: In commercial sales, if there should appear a deficiently or defect in the
property sold, or disagreement to the terms of the contract, or the sample or the law, the
buyer must, within four days, relay this information to the seller, or else after having
received the goods he or his agent must examine the goods during a period of two weeks
after receipt. If a deficiency in the goods or a disagreement to the terms of the contract
rights, must during the period of two weeks, or immediately if the deficiency is
discovered at once, inform the seller of the matter or else it is assumed that he has
accepted the goods as is.
Article 660: The buyer has the right to sue the seller because of defects in the goods sold
or disagreement with the contents of the contract, or law, or disagreement with the
simple. This right holds for six months from the date delivery has been made. To increase
or decrease this period in the contract is not permissible.
Article 661: If the nonconformance of the property sold with conditions set forth in the
law or the contract or with sample should be understood to be a result of
misrepresentation on the part of the seller, the contents of Articles 559 and 560 are not
applied to it.
Article 662: In case the buyer according to Article 659 should find defects in the property
sold, or if he should not find the property sold to be in accordance with the terms
mentioned by the contract or law, or the sample, he can first refer to the seller and invite
him for examination. If the seller does not appear during a reasonable period, the buyer
can appeal to the Local Commercial Court shall on this basis make the necessary ruling.
Article 663: In case property sold has been sent to the buyer from another place, even if
the buyer has referred to the seller according to Article 659, the seller must store the
property sold at the expense of the seller or delegate it for safekeeping according to
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Article 655 to a trusty person. If property committed for sale is not of the kind to be
stored, or if it is easily perishable, or if the fee for safekeeping is higher than the price of
the goods , or it is related to the payment of the storage fee, the buyer can sell the goods
according to Article 655.
Article 664: In case goods sold are not in accordance with terms mentioned in the
contract or the law, the buyer is free to choose between the invalidity of the contract or
request from the Court that the difference of price and loss be adjusted.
Part II – Certain Special Commercial Sales C.I.F Sales
Article 665: If a sale has taken place on the basis of arrival of a ship on which goods are
to be transported , the finality of the sales contract depends on the condition that the
abovementioned ship reaches the prescribed arrival place. If a seller has not specified
the period of shipment through the contract or commercial custom, the buyer can request
the specification of the shipment period for loss. If no provision or tradition in the
contract or in custom exists, the buyer can refer to the Court to request determination of
this period , and the Court must act as soon as possible.
If the shipment is not made after the specified period or if the shipment does not reach the
arrival point at the specified time, the buyer can claim invalidation of the contract and
bring suit. The buyer can prolong the duration of arrival twice or many times more than
that specified.
Article 666: If goods while in transit should, due to uncontrollable reasons, be
transshipped, the contract is not invalidated, the second ship is accepted for the first one.
Article 667: In case fulfillment of the contract depends on the arrival of the goods, and
if the goods while in transit should suffer such damages as to make the anticipated profits
impossible, the contract is invalid.
Otherwise, the buyer must accept the property sold at the time of arrival as is. The
loss suffered through this, with a certified statement from a qualified person, could be
compensated far from the price.
Article 668: Merchandized purchased on the bases of delivery of goods to the ship, in
addition to cost, insurance, and freight, is called as CIF purchase. Expenses of
transporting the goods until delivered to the harbor cranes included in the cost of
merchandized transported.
From the time goods are loaded on the ship, damage to merchandize, based on CIF, on
sustained by the purchaser.
Article 669: The article sold as CIF must be transported to the ship by the seller either
on the bases of the terms of the contract or, in the absence of same, on the bases of
current custom. In case the seller is allowed to fulfill his promises part by part, each part
which has been fulfilled is considered to have been sold separately.
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Article 670: If seller, during the prescribe period, without unavoidable reason, fails to
transport the property he has sold, according to custom, the buyer can invalidate the
contract. In such case, the buyer must at once inform the seller of his intentions.
Article 671: The seller may prove through a consignment paper which he prepares for
each part of the goods sold, bearing the expression “has been transported,” that each part
of the goods has been transported according to the prescribed terms. If the consignment
paper contains the expression “has been transported to be received by ship” the buyer can
claim that transportation of the property has not taken place on the date mentioned in the
consignment paper unless the captain of the ship transporting the goods certified on the
consignment paper to the effect that the goods were delivered to his ship on the date
specified.
Article 672: If goods sold CIF must be transported from an internal city or from a port
with one consignment paper, the date at which the first transportation of goods has taken
place is considered as the date of transport.
Article 673: The entry of the usual consignment transportation agreements about
whether a ship can stop at certain parts or can change course, or the property aboard can
be transshipped, should be recognized by the buyer also. In case above mentioned
changes are necessary for the transportation of goods, the loss suffered through such
change relates to the buyer, but if the loss should result from the short comings on the
part of the seller, the buyer can invalidate the same and claim the loss suffer.
If goods are sent by consignment according to Article 672, the consignment must be
prepared in such a way as to contain the method of transportation.
Article 674: The seller of CIF merchandize must insure the transported goods, according
to ordinary terms whose entry in the contract is usual, against rest that might result from
an ocean voyage.
The cost of insurance must be equal to the cost of goods sold at the place where goods are
shipped. If goods are sent part by part, each part must be separately insured. The seller
can not personally act as insurer against the buyer.
Article 675: If an ordinary insurance certificate does not have special conditions of
insurance, and if its conditions do not agree with one of the sample insurance policies, it
can not be used as an insurance policy.
Article 676: Unless otherwise stated explicitly in the contract, the risks covered by
insurance are ordinary risks. The risks of war are exceptions. Terms concerning
dispensation and the procedure to pay for insurance are subject to current local custom,
transportation, kind, and the nature of the goods.
If the person who sells the merchandize as CIF as insured goods with a recognized well
known company, and this company later should be unable to pay the claims, the seller
has no responsibility to the buyer.
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Article 677: If in a CIF sale both parties examine the quality and weight of the goods
transported to the ship, and a defect is discovered, the buyer may appeal to the court and
request appointment and certification of qualified persons to appraise the defect.
Article 678: After goods are transported, the seller must endorse the consignment and
sell it to the buyer together with the insurance policy and sales bill and, if necessary, the
certification concerning the quality and weight, and the check.
If a ship transporting goods reaches port and related papers have not yet arrived or are
incomplete, and if the buyer informs the seller of this, the seller must prepare and send
reliable documents for the propose of receiving the goods. Expenses resulting from the
delay of papers relate to the seller.
Article 679: The seller must relay immediately the confirmation concerning date of
shipment of goods, marks, and name of ship transporting the goods to the buyer.
Article 680: Documents sent to the buyer should be complete and in order. In case the
contents of documents should not be in agreement with the conditions of the contract, the
buyer can invalidate the contract and claim the loss.
Article 681: The buyer must, within four working days after the date he receives the
papers according to Article 618, either accept or reject them.
In case of rejection, if it is proved that rejection is unreasonable, the buyer must
compensate the seller for loss and, vice versa, the buyer has the right to invalidate the
contract and claim loss. The buyer who has accepted the papers can not invalidate the
contract until such time as the misrepresentation of the seller has been proved, or the
disagreement of contents of the documents with the goods sold has been established. If
the buyer for some reason has rejected or conditionally accepted the papers, he can not
have other objection excepting the reasons specified.
Article 682: The person who buys of a CIF basis must , after receipt and acceptance of
papers as mentioned in Article 672, at once return the papers sent to him about the price
of goods sold, unless otherwise stated in the contract.
Article 683: When a ship arrives it should be unloaded according to the terms
consignment and contract, and if there is nothing explicit in the contract, according to
local custom. The buyer must examine the agreement of the goods with that of the
number and counter marks and conditions of packing as mentioned in the papers. If
because of a mistake on the part of the seller it should not be possible to determine and
specify the goods, the buyer can invalidate the contract.
Article 684: If there is more than the usual amount of this difference between goods sent
and those specified in the contract, the buyer must accept the goods but he can ask for
the reduction of an amount from the price, on the basis of the opinion of a qualified
person. The amount that has to be reduced, unless otherwise stated by custom, is to be
determined at the unloading port.
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Article 685: To set conditions to the effect that the price of goods should be paid
according to weight at the time of debarkation is permissible. In such cases according to
the contents of the contract, a temporary bill is also prepared which is sent to the buyer
after the transportation of the goods. The price of the goods shown on the papers sent to
the buyer is anticipated from 75 to 90 percent of the real price of the goods. After goods
have been weighed in the presence of both parties or their representatives, a second final
bill is prepared. The difference between these two bills should be paid within 8 days of
the acceptance of goods by the buyer, or it should be returned by the seller (in case of
over payment).
Article 686: If the term “approximate” is in the contract, when all goods are consigned to
the ship ten percent is payable, and when partially consigned, 5 percent more or less is
payable. In case of specification of definite qquantity , the buyer has the right to request
all of the amount mentioned in the contract, but the seller is not responsible for natural or
ocean losses that might result to goods while in transit. The price of the lesser or greater
quantity custom at point of debarkation. In case it is not possible to determine the real
weight of goods due to the sinking of a part of the goods in the ocean or due to goods
having become wet, a temporary bill is given consideration.
Article 687: If conditions are anticipated in the contract relating to losses suffered by the
seller after transportation, or ( if conditions specified) delay in completion of the contract
until goods have reached their destination in perfect condition, or if ( conditions of
contract) free the buyer to reject or accept a sample at the time of contract , in such cases
the nature of the contract of CIF has changed and the matter takes the form of a sale
subject to delivery of the goods at place of debarkation.
Subchapter D – Commercial Loans Article 688: In order for a loan to be considered commercial, it must be made for the
purpose of being spent in commercial matters.
Article 689: To borrow “in kind” is as acceptable as borrowing cash as far as commercial
loans are concerned.
Article 690: The borrower must return the thing he borrows at the specified time with the
same kind and quality.
Article 691: In case a person must make payment to another person for other than a loan,
he can settle this debt with a creditor in the form a commercial loan.
Article 692: A commercial loan is always subject to interest unless otherwise decided by
both parties.
Article 693: If the amount of interest has not been determined in the contract, it is
understood that both parties have agreed to payment of the legal rate of interest.
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Article 694: If the duration of the loan is less than one year, the interest is paid on the
date the loan is returned but if the duration is more than one year, the interest should be
paid at the end of the year, unless otherwise decided by both parties.
Article 695: If the date of return has been determined, the creditor can not force the
debtor to pay before the due date.
Article 696: The quantity and price an item borrowed for commercial purposes are
determined by the provision of Article 609 of this law.
Subchapter E – Commercial Mortgage
Article 697: In order for a mortgage to be considered commercial it must be made for
commercial purposes.
Article 698: Contracting parties can unanimously decide the mortgaged property be
deposited with the third person.
Article 699: A commercial mortgage is carried out according to Article 624 of this law. If
the mortgage loan exceeds Afs.500, it should be registered and certified by the
commercial Registration Office.
Article 700: To mortgage negotiable notes, promissory notes, and other commercial
documents is permissible. The mortgaging of documents bearing names should be
registered and kept in the books of the related company.
Article 701: The creditor has priority in receiving his rights from the mortgaged property
over other creditors. The priority right of the creditor is the mortgage property is only
recognized when the mortgaged property is in the hands of the creditor or, with
unanimous agreement of both parties , in the hands of a third person.
In case the mortgaged property is in the place of business of the creditor or in the place of
business of a commission’s agent, or in the storage rooms of the customhouse, it is
understood that it is under control of the creditor. Also, if before arrival of the mortgage
property it should be mentioned on a consignment paper which is given to the creditor or
in a contract of the transportation, that it has been given against a guaranty, the
mortgaged property is considered to be under the control of the creditor.
Article 702: The creditor must make preparation for the safe keeping of the mortgaged
property. The creditor must, when due date approaches, take legal steps towards settling
his rights. The debtor must pay, in addition to his debt, all expense incurred by the
creditor for safe keeping of the mortgaged property, and also the creditor must give to the
debtor statement of all expenses he has incurred.
Article 703: Unless otherwise specified, the creditor must protect all rights that the debtor
has, or the mortgaged property, bonds, and loan documents.
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Article 704: If the price of the mortgaged property, bonds, and loan document is reduced
more than 10% , the creditor can request the remainder from the debtor, unless otherwise
agreed upon by both parties. In case the debtor doesn’t accept this request, if he delays its
acceptance, the creditor can sell the mortgaged property according to Article 655.
Article 705: When mortgaging and presenting such items as stocks or documents or the
like, the regulation of mortgages are applicable to these items.
Article 706: The debtor fails to pay all these indebtedness received through mortgage, the
creditor can take steps towards selling the mortgaged property.
For this purpose the creditor shall refer to the related commercial port and request
permission to sell the mortgaged property. On receipt of such request the Court at once
notify the debtor or , if the mortgage has taken place in the name of the debtor by a third
person, to the third person as well as that if they have any objection they should report in
three days.
After three days, if there is not objection from the debtor or third person, the Commercial
Court makes a decision concerning the sale of the mortgaged property. If contract
includes provision for such sale, it is also sold to these terms, or is the steps Article 655
are taking. The decision of the Court is not executed until such time as it has been
delayed to the debtor or to the third person who in the name of debtor has mortgaged the
property.
In the announcement of the decision, the hour date of sale should be mentioned and also
the fact that, if there is no protest on the Court decision from the creditor in three days, it
will be final. In case of receipt of approaches the Court has within 8 days of the date of
arrival of protest to hear the problems make its ruling.
Article 707: In case the debtor or the person who in the name of the debtor has executed
the mortgage doesn’t live in the vicinity or has no address, the announcement will be
made through the local paper in the Court area. If there is no such paper, the
announcement is posted in a suitable place designated by the Court. The duration
specified in Article 706 relative to protest can not be prolonged because of distance.
Article 708: The rights delegated to the creditor according to the above articles neither do
nor cease to exit due to the death or bankruptcy of the debtor or the person who has made
the mortgaged property in the absence of payment of the debt by the debtor is rejected.
Article 709: Establishing any condition that might deprive a creditor according to the
above articles do not cease to exist due to the death or bankruptcy of the debtor or the
person who has made the mortgage in the name of the distance.
Article 710: Matters relating to the mortgage of properties to be deposited at public
storehouse are subjected to the special Articles of this law dealing with public storehouse.
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Part 6
Howalla Talabat (Demand Drafts)
Article 711: A creditor can, without approval of his debtor, assign his [right to collect a]
debt to another person unless prohibited by the nature of the transaction or the conditions
of the contract. A person assigned the debt holds, from the date he has been delegated,
shall legally be [the same] as the original Claimant .If there is no provision in the text of
the document concerning nondelegation of the demand draft, and a third person should
accept the order, then a debtor cannot take the attitude that he need not pay the third
party on presentation of the demand draft.
Article 712: Assignment of a demand draft which presently exists but which will be
realized in the future is permissible .
Article 713: A demand draft is not honored until it has been put in writing.
Article 714: Before information is given by a creditor to a debtor of the claim right, if the
debtor should pay his debt to the creditor he has no responsibility to the person
authorized to collect the claim.
Article 715: If there is a dispute as to whom is entitled to the claim, the debtor can pay
the debt to the real creditor, which will be proved, or to another reliable person, through
the court.
If the debtor, although aware of the dispute, should pay his debt to a person other than the
real owner, he may not deny payment to the person authorized for collection. If there is a
suit concerning to whom the debt relates and the due date has passed, each of the
contending parties may have the debtor deposit formally the amount of the debt.
Article 716: If the person who is indebted knows of the Assignment of a claim right, he
may use his protest right that he had against the original creditor against the delegated
person. If the debtor has a claim against a creditor which is not yet payable, he can use
this claim against the person to whom the claim authority has been delegated.
Article 717: The demand draft and the right thereof, and all other legal priority rights
which come with the demand draft, are included on the demand draft. However, if this
right belongs personally to the creditor, the demand draft can’t circumvent this right .A
creditor is authorized to ask for receipt of the demand drafts and documents. The one who
issues a demand draft should provide creditors with information and make delivery to
them. The person holding a demand draft should be able to receive payment of the debt
form the debtor.
Article 718: If a demand draft is exchanged for something, the person authorizing the
demand draft must guarantee the existence of the demand. However, if the one who
orders the demand as not explicitly promised the demand, he is not responsible for the
financial difficulties of the debtor. If a person should transfer a demand draft to another
person, he is not responsible for the payment.
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Article 719: If a person refers (hawalla) the debt owed to him by another person to his
creditor for the payment of his debt [to the creditor], and has not specified the amount
that should be deducted from [that] debt, the person to whom the debt has been referred
[the creditor] must count the amount he actually received from the debtor against [the
person’s] debt.
Article 720: A person who orders a claim, provided he guarantees the one to whom the
demand draft is issue, must pay for the interest which he has received in exchange for the
order plus the expenses of the draft.
Current Account
Article 721: Current account is a contract on the bases of which both parties agree to
make their claims from each other in person regardless of whether resulting from cash or
from properties whose ownership is transferable. The account is item by item treated as
debit and credit and the balance from each of the parties.
Article 722: The following are the regulations concerning the contract of a current
account:
1.The ownership of the properties registered in the debit account is transferred to
the receive.
2.In case, before the contraction of the current account, a transaction has taken
place between the parties as the current account, unless otherwise specified the
transaction is considered to have been renewed.
3.A commercial document can only be treated in a current account when its
payment is positive.
4.The balance of the debit and credit account is payable.
5. The amount recorded in the credit columns of a person from that date when in
his favor is credited to his account, and when in his disfavor is debited to his
account.
Article 723: If the return from the commercial document mentioned in item 3 of Article
722 should not be collected, it should be returned to the owner and erased from the
account.
Article 724: The extension of a current account between two parties does not prevent the
request for commission and other minor expenses.
Article 725: A current account is closed on the date specified in the contract or by custom
and the difference between debit and credit is contract or by custom, and the difference
between debit and credit is established. If there is no such date in the contract or by
custom, each year the end of Hoot is considered as the date for the closing of current
accounts.
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Article 726: the balance established from debit and credit is subject to interest from the
same date.
Article 727: Both parties can arrange to add the interest to the capital and specify the time
of balancing the amount in interest and specify the commission amount.
Article 728: Cash and goods given solely to be spent for a specific or a separate purpose
do not enter into the current account.
Article 729: The items of debit and credit in the current account are not analyzable.
Before the close of the current account, neither of the parties is considered as creditor or
debtor,. The status of the claims of both parties is only decided upon termination of the
contact.
Article 730: Cash repayments and merchandise will be reliable in current accounts only if
the remainder of the accounts at the time of settlement are recorded in favor of the
interested party.
Article 731: Current account contacts are legally invalidated due to the following reasons:
1. Termination of the specified period of the contract.
2. With consent of both parties.
3. Invalidation of the contact by one of the parties provided it is not prohibited in the
contact.
4. Bankruptcy of one of the parties.
Article 732: In case of the death or incompetence of one of the parties, the other party is
entitled to apply to the Court to ask for the invalidation of the contact for current account.
Article 733: The contact of the current account ca be proved only through commercial
documents.
Article 734: Registration of debit and credit in the current account does not invalidate the
right of contract which results in debit and credit, or the right which both parties have
related to the case in defending this matter. If a contact or transaction is discarded , the
item relating to it from the current account is eliminated . If there is a different condition
in the contract, that condition is followed:
Article 735: Cases concerning liquidation of the current account or the remaining interest
determined by the consent of both parties or the law or the repetition, mistake, or the
entry of an incorrect item, are invalidated after five years.
chapter 8 – Deposit to Public Warehouses
Article 736: Places which accept goods of persons as deposit for mortgages and issue
legal receipts for them to the persons concerned are called public warehouses.
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Article 737: Regulations concerning public warehouses do not apply to places where
goods are deposited without a receipt being issued for them.
Article 738: The receipt document given for properties and surpluses deposited in public
warehouses must have the following detail:
1. Name, business, and address of the depositor
2. Name of the warehouse where properties are deposited
3. Necessary details for identifying the kind, quantity, and value of the items
deposited.
4. Evidence of payment or default of the tax and tariff charges of deposited items
and a statement indicating whether or not property has been insured. If insured,
details of insurance are to be shown.
Article 739: The mortgage document (warrant) is also subject to details of Article 738,
and is to be accomplished by the receipt document.
Article 749: Copies of the documents relating to transactions should be made according
to regulations and should be kept regularly in files of public warehouses.
Article 741: The receipt document and warrant are prepared in the name of the depositor
or a in the name of the third appointed by the depositor.
Article 742: The bearer of the receipt document and warrant may claim the deposited
properties by producing the receipt or designating each of the items of merchandise by
means of the general receipt. In such case, the expense of preparation of the documents is
invalidated.
Article 743: The receipt document and warrant separately or jointly are transferable by
endorsement. The endorsement should bear the date of the day on which it was made.
Article 744: On the endorsement the following regulations govern:
1. The joint endorsement of the receipt document and warrant transfers ownership of
the property.
2. Only the endorsement of the warrant assigns the mortgage or the property to the
person to whom the warrant is transferred.
3. Only endorsement of the receipt document ( provided the right of the bearer is
valid) transfers ownership of the stored property.
Article 745: The endorsement of a warrant should contain the amount of the debt, its
interest, and time of payment.
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Article 746: The endorsement of a receipt document should be like that for warrants and
the endorse should sign it.
Article 747: The warrant and receipt document can be endorsed jointly as a blank
endorsement. This kind of endorsement transfers the rights of the endorser to the bearer.
Article 748: It is not permitted to assume control , seize, or mortgage properties and
surpluses in public warehouses unless in cases of the destruction of warrant and receipt
document, or dispute because of inheritance and bankruptcy , in which cases the order
and ruling of the Court prevail.
Article 749: The bearer of a receipt document separated from the warrant can , before due
date, pay the debt and its interest resulting from warrant to the public warehouse, and
take out the properties stored therein before the date due. The amount deposited is
returned for the warrant to the bearer.
Article 750: If case a receipt document is separated from the warrant , if its bearer should
wish he may take back part of the properties stored in public warehouses by depositing,
under the responsibility of the store, as sum of money in proportion to the sum of the debt
resulting from the properties, which resulted in the first place.
Article 751: The bearer of a warrant, in case a claim is not settled at the end of the period,
can , like a bearer of a negotiable note, sell the mortgage according to regulations
governing commercial mortgage, ten days after protest.
Article 752: Situation of Article 748 may not prevent the sale, but the price is deposited
in the warehouse until a final ruling is made.
Article 753: Warehouse fees and other expenses for the tariff and other charges relating
to properties and surpluses which are paid by the warehouses have priority for settlement
from the mortgaged property.
Article 754: The money received from the mortgaged property after the deduction of the
expense and fees as mentioned in Article 753 in kept in the warehouse for settlement of
the matter with the barer of the document.
Article 755: the bearer of the warrant may apply to the debtor or the endorser only when
the sale of the mortgaged properly does not satisfy this claim.
Article 756: The receipt document and warrant are subject to a period of time as specified
by the negotiable note. In applying to the endorse, the period of time form the day the
merchandise is sold and deposited is counted.
Article 757: If the bearer of a warrant does not protest of does not take action during the
legal period for the sale of mortgaged property, he losses all his rights against the
endorsers, but his right to bring suit against the debtor is secure.
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Article 758: A bearer who losses the receipt documents or the warrant can claim a
duplicate after receiving permission of the authorized commercial Court, provided he
proves his ownership and presents a guarantee, and after it has been advertised in the
local papers and the time specified for protest has passed. If the due date of the last
warrant has been reached, the Court may orders settlement of the debt on the request of
the bearer. If the matter relates to warehousing and the warrant, the matter is relayed to
the warehouse as well as to the firs debtor. The owner of the warehouse and the debtor
can protest against the permission of the Court. In such case, the Court may at once rule
on the protest. If the ruling is in favor of the creditor, it is temporarily executed, but until
such time as the ruling is final the money received from the sale of the mortgage property
is deposited in a safe place by order of the Court.
Article 759: Regulations and conditions fro establishing public warehouses for deposit of
properties are set forth in special directives.
Subchapter 9 – Commercial Agencies
Article 760: The function of commercial agencies is the execution of commercial
transaction in the name and account of the person for whom the agent works.
Commercial agencies may not work without compensation.
Article 761: Even if a commercial agency should include general terms and
interpretations , it can not perform noncommercial activities unless there exist special
stipulations.
If an agent has requested direction concerning certain matters from the person for whom
he works, the agent also has authorization as far as other aspects of the same business are
concerned.
The agency is authorized for a specific business. Other matters necessary for the
execution of this business are included without being separately mentioned.
Article 762: A merchant who is given authority to act as an agent is free either to accept
or reject it, but in the case of rejection he must:
1. First, report the matter without loss of time.
2. Until such time as news of the rejection reaches the person who has asked him to
act as agent, he should take proper steps to safeguard that persons property .
Otherwise he will be required to compensate for any resulting loss.
Article 763: After receiving news of the rejection, if the person does not during a period
proportional to the distance involved appoint another person as his agent, the agent can
refer to the Court, according to Article 655, and request the appointment of a reasonable
person to safeguard the property. Moreover, he may request permission to sell as much of
the property as necessary to compensate for the expense which he has incurred.
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Article 764: If the agent has definite evidence concerning property loss incurred during
transportation , he should , for the purpose of making possible suit by the owner of the
goods against the transporter of the goods, reveal the losses and take necessary feasible
steps to safeguard the property. In case there exists a risk of destruction of all property,
the agent should sell the goods with permission of the Court, according to Article 655,
and he should at once report the matter to the person for whom he is working. Otherwise
the agent will be held responsible for loss suffered through his negligence.
Article 765: In case properties sent to the agent for sale are easily perishable or subject to
changes which might result in reduction of the price, and if there is not enough time to
get the owner’s permission, or if the owner himself should delay in giving an answer, the
agent can sell the property according to Article 655, with permission of the authorized
Court.
Article 766: The agent must relay all circumstances causing modification or elimination
of properties to the person for whom he works.
Article 767: The agent is responsible for losses suffered to articles with him belonging in
the account of the person for whom he works only if the loss is for reasons other than
extraordinary circumstances or uncontrollable reasons or because of defects existing in
the properties themselves.
Article 768: The agent must, during a reasonable and logical period, send the money to
the owner. Otherwise he must pay interest from the same date or , if necessary, pay the
losses suffered separately.
Article 769: The agent must deviate from the explicit and final direction of the person for
whom he works. Otherwise, he will be held responsible to compensate for loss suffered
through the deviation, but if the execution of a transaction by order of the owner should
result in a total loss for the owner, the agent can, with permission of the owner, delay the
execution of the transaction.
Article 770: Transactions not accompanied by explicit directions of the person for whom
the agent works may be delayed until arrival of directions from the person for whom the
agent works, but if haste is indicated for the transaction and sufficient time is not
available to receive the permission of the owner, or if the agent has permission to take
action under prescribed terms, in such case he may act with initiative in the execution of
the transaction.
Article 771: The agent must at once inform the person from whom he works of the
execution of transaction. If an agent has deviated from his agency instructions , it is
understood that the person for whom an agent works has agreed to the deviations in cases
where the person for whom he works has not delayed answers during the necessary time.
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Article 772: If an agent should receive an amount of money in the name of the person for
whom he works, and does not use this money for the specified purpose, he is required to
compensate for the loss incurred through not fulfilling his obligation, just as he is
responsible to pay interest on that money from that date. If misrepresentation and fraud
have been used, he is also subject to punitive actions.
Article 773: If a third person making a contract with an agent should ask for credentials
of his agency, the agent must present him with such credentials. Otherwise third persons
do not have to execute the contract. However, if the agent should prove that during
establishment of the contract the third persons knew of the directions to the agent from
the person for whom he works, they can not withdraw from the contract.
Article 774: If the agency of a person who acts or represents another person should not
be positively established, or the transaction he has made is not approved by the person
for whom he works, he is personally responsible for that transaction.
Article 775: The person for whom an agent works must provide the necessary agency
authorization to the agent unless otherwise expected in the contract.
Article 776: The agency fee, in case it is not mentioned in the contract, is determined by
the Court according to custom, circumstances, and the condition of the agency.
Article 777: Demand of agreement from a principal in regard to the work of his agency
are applicable in cases where demands for advance sums, debts, and drafts have been
issued, guaranteed goods via the agent. Or the payment and fees for agency for other
sums in respect to guarantees of agency have been loaned; and services have come into
existence. If the goods of his client are sold by an agent , incurred expenses can be
collected from the price of the goods.
Article 778: In order for reimbursement mentioned in Article 777 to be made, the agent
must inform the person for whom he works, through the Court, of his claim, and include
in this notification that if the debt is not settled during a period of five days he will take
action to sell the properties having priority. The person for whom the agent works ha the
right to protest this notification and invite the agent to Court. The person for whom the
agent works must, during a period of three days from the date he has been notified,
inform the agent of the protest to the court.
If the person for whom the agent works does not have an address in the locality of the
agent, the duration of the protest is extended as follows:
If the residence of the person for whom the agent works is located in the region of the
Court, the protest period in 20 days, but if he lives in one of the provinces the protest
period is 40 days.
If the person for whom the agent works lives in a foreign country, the protest period is
that used in legal trials.
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Article 779: In the case of expiration of the period or rejection of the protest, the agent
can, according to Article 655, sell the properties under discussion. In case of appointment
of many agents for the execution of the same business, if their joint action is not
explicitly stated, each of them, in the absence of others, is authorized to execute the
transaction. If their joint action should be stated and some of them should not have
accepted the agency, those having majority can accept the agency and execute the
transaction.
Article 780: if an agent is dismissed without logical reason by the person for whom he
works, or if the transaction that was undertaken by the agent should not be completed
because of his registration, the party causing this situation is responsible to compensate
for loss suffered by the other party.
Article 781: If the agency should cease to exist due to bankruptcy , death, or the fault of
the agent of or the person for whom the works, the agent or person replacing him is
entitled to any fee in proportion to the completion of the unfinished transaction.
Subchapter 10 – Commission Agents
Article 782: A person who executes commercial transactions in his own name and in the
account of the owner of the business for a fee, as his adopted profession, is called a
commission agent, and the contract to this effect is called a commission transaction.
Article 783: if the owner of a business has provided for the execution of a matter
explicitly in his own name, the resulting contract is subject to the regulations for
commercial agencies.
Article 784: In case there is no special regulation in this chapter concerning the rights and
obligations of the employer and the commission agent, the regulations relating to
commercial agencies apply.
Article 785: The rights and obligations resulting from the commission business relate
solely to the commission agent and not to the employer and the third person.
Article 786: The commission agent should execute the business he has definitely or
inferentially accepted. The commission agent who does not fulfill his delegated duties
without legal reason, as mentioned in Articles 789 and 790, must compensate for any
resulting losses to his employee.
Article 787: the death of the employer does not invalidate the commission contract. His
rights and obligations are transferred to his heirs.
Article 788: An employer may not withdraw from such contracts as have been accepted
by the commission agent.
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Article 789: If it should be proved that the execution of the business of commission is not
possible through someone else, or if it will create difficulties resulting in losses for the
employer, the commission agent can not withdraw from the contract.
Article 790: In case the execution of the regulations of the commission contract should
depend on money, and if the employer does not send sufficient money, or if the contract
says that the required money should be paid by the commission agent but its manner of
repayment by the employer has not been explicitly stated, the commission agent can
always withhold the necessary amounts from the commission contract, or he can delay
execution of the contract.
Article 791: If the approximate price of properties involved in the business of the
commission contract is insufficient to cover the transportation expense, the commission
agent must delay this information at once to the employer. Moreover, for receiving the
mentioned property he may request the appointment of a reasonable person from the
Court according to Article 655.
Article 792: The commission agent should use such initiative and attention in the
execution of the transaction he has undertaken as is used by a good merchant in his own
private affairs. To safeguard the interest of the person for whom he works, the duties of
the commission agent are to execute orders, inform the person for whom he works of the
necessary aspects of the transaction at the proper time for making decision, and especially
to report about the commission and to render the accounts based on documents, and to
send without delay the profits received.
Article 793: If the commission agent deviates from his authority or misuses his authority
in the execution of the transaction, and thus causes a loss to the person for whom he
works, this transaction is recognized in the case of the commission agent, but the
employer, based on terms of Articles 796 and 795, can not be made to accept the
transaction in his account.
Article 794: To claim the invalidity of a contract because of deviations of the commission
agent from the orders and directives of the person for whom he works is the sole right of
the employer, and does not depend on the commission agent or third persons.
Article 795: until such time as the employer orders otherwise, the commission agent need
not insure the properties subject to the commission contact.
Article 796: If the commission agent deviates from the directions of his employer
concerning the kind and specific quality of merchandise which is to be bought, the
employer does not have to accept it. If the deviation consists of buying more
merchandise by the commission agent than was specified by the person for whom he
works, the employer may accept the specified amount and leave the rest for the
commission agent.
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797: If a commission agent sells properties subject to the contract at a price lower then
specified, or if he buys them at a price higher than specified, and if the employer, upon
receipt of the news, does not want to accept this transaction in his own account, he must
at once inform the commission agent of his acceptance or rejection. If he does not so: act,
he is considered to have accepted the transaction. In spite of this, if the commission agent
of , during execution of the transaction, states that he is paying the price difference
separately, the employer must accept the executed transaction. If the commission agent
has deviated from the specified price set forth by his employer, and if from this the
employer incurs loss, the employer may claim compensation for the loss.
Article 798: If the commission agent, according to specified conditions of the employer,
executes a transaction resulting in an increased profit, the excessive profit relates to the
employer.
Article 799: The account submitted by the commission agent must agree with all
pertinent records.
The commission agent who submits incorrect account statements to this employer, or
who changes the cost of the goods and the condition of the contracts wrongly , or who
enters fictitious expenses, or who shows expenses larger than the real amount, loses his
right to receive a fee, and is personally responsible for the consequences of the
transactions executed.
Article 800: The commission agent who, without the permission of the employer, makes
a downpayment to third persons, or who gives credit to third person, is considered to
have accepted the loss and profit resulting from the transaction as relating to himself.
If, at a place where the transaction takes place, it should be the commercial custom for a
deferment in payment to be given to a customer, should the employer not be opposed to
this action, the commission agent can make this deferment in person.
Article 801: If a commission agent has permission to sell on extended terms, he may not
sell the property of the employer to persons financially unable to pay or who have bad
business repudiations.
Articles 802: The commission agent who, with the permission of the employer, sells his
properties on time must report after the execution of the transaction the names of the
customers to his employer, Otherwise the sale is considered to have been by cash.
Article 803: A commission agent who undertakes the buying of a negotiable note must,
after endorsement of the note, send it without any conditions to his employer.
Article 804: A commission agent is not responsible to his employer for the debt of third
persons with whom he does business. If there exits a contract or a commercial custom
contrary to this, the commission agent bears as much responsibility as the third person. In
this case, the commission agent is entitled to receive a separate fee for this responsibility.
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Article 805: A commission agent is entitled, after execution of a promised transaction, to
request his fee. In a transaction, to request his fee. In a transaction administered by a
commission agent but not executed for reasons attributed to the employer, the agent is
also entitled to claim his fee. In transactions not executed for other reasons. The
commission agent can also ask for his fee in proportion to the effort he has expended
according to local custom.
Article 806: A commission agent may, before completion of the responsibilities of his
commission agency, claim downpayment money and expenses with interest therein. In
such case he must present the employer with a statement of account supported by
documents. Expenses of transportation and warehousing are reportable expenses of the
commission agent, but the salaries of his employees may not be included.
Article 807: The commission agent who undertakes to buy and sell valuable papers or
properties having specified rates in the stock exchange, or the market, unless ordered
otherwise by the employer, can purchase or sell from his merchandise as a buyer or
seller. In such case, the commission agent, on the basis of the specified rates of the stock
exchange or market must submit to the employer a statement of account. The date of the
notification to the employer of the execution of the commission agent is thus considered
to be the date of execution of the transaction.
The regulation of commercial sales apply to other details. The regulations of this
Article cannot be modified through contract against the employer.
Article 808: In case the commission agency business is executed according to Article
807, the commission agent is entitled to receive a commission and ordinary expenses.
Article 808: In case the commission agency business is executed according to Article
807, the commission agent is entitled to receive a commission and ordinary expenses.
Article 809: The commission agent can, according to Article 777, settle his claim against
the employer and his creditors preferably from the amount he receive as the result of
having executed transaction fro the account of the employer.
Article 810: If the commission agent executes the commission transaction according to
Article 807, and if he reports without specifying the other person to his employer, the
employer can consider this transaction of buying and selling to have taken place in the
account of the commission agent.
Article 811: Unless explicitly permitted, a commission agent can not change the
markings on the properties of his employer.
Article 812: If a transaction takes place involving the properties of many employers, the
commission agent should in his books, explicitly and correctly register the owners of the
property.
Subchapter 11 Transportation Commission Agency
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Article 813: A person who , as his vocation, chooses the transportation of commercial
goods in his own name and in the account of his employer , is called a transportation
commission agent. In cases concerning transportation commission agencies not covered
in this chapter, regulations relating to commission contracts and especially those
regulations relating to the receipt, safeguarding, and insurance of properties apply.
Article 814: A transportation commission agent can not record in the account of his
employer more than the amount he has contracted for with the transport.
Article 815: The transportation commission agent is entitled to claim remuneration only
when he has delivered properties to the transporter.
Article 816: The presentation of the transportation document or the waybill substituting
for the transportation document, and also the receipt for the deposit of the properties in
warehouses, is proof of the goods in the hands of the commission agent. As far as
transportation expenses, commission fees, and downpayment money are concerned ,
these properties are considered, these properties are considered to be mortgaged with the
commission agent.
Article 817: In case many commission agents should have consecutively participated in
the transportation of property , those agents having participated later must fulfill the
rights of the commission agents ahead of them, especially their mortgage rights on the
properties that have been transported.
Article 818: If a claim by a commission agent is realized by a subsequent agent, the
mortgage right of the first commission agent is transferred to the subsequent commission
agent. In case a commission agent pays the transportation of the transporter, his rights
transfer to himself.
Article 819: Unless a contract exists otherwise, a transportation commission agent can
transport goods in his own means.
In case a transportation commission agent prepares a waybill on this basis of the request
of the employer, in the employer’s name and has issued it, or he has decided upon the
amount and expense of transportation with the specified final amount, in such case as far
as his employer is concerned he has the legal status of transporter.
Article 820: The responsibility of the transportation commission agent is invalidated one
year after the date the addressee has received the goods.
If the properties whose transportation has been promised have all been destroyed , the
passage of time starts from the date the properties ewer received.
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In case the property through misrepresentation of the commission agent is short of the
quantity or has been damaged in transit, or if it is received late, the responsibility of the
commission agent is not invalidated during the abovementioned periods.
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Subchapter 12 – Transportation
Part I – General Regulations
Article 821: The agreement to transport goods and persons on land, on water, and in the
air, for a fee, by the transporter, is called a transportation contract.
Article 822: The regulations of this chapter also apply to persons who are not
professionally engaged in transportation business and who, as temporary measure,
promise transportation of goods and persons,.
Article 823: All legal cases resulting from transportation contracts including those for the
return of unearned transportation fees are invalidated after one year.
This period is calculated from the date of receipt of goods and from the date of arrival of
passengers. If all the goods have been destroyed, or the persons should not reach their
destination, the period is calculated from the date goods would have been received and
the date the passengers would have arrived.
Part II – Transportation of Goods
Article 824: In case the transporter so request, the sender must issue the transportation
document in two copies. The transportation contract, without transportation documents,
and with the consent of both parties, may be executed with the delivery of goods to the
transporter.
Article 825. The transportation document must have the following points:
1. Identity and address of consignee, place where goods are sent, and statement
regarding the receipt of goods as to order or request of bearer.
2. Weight and size of items, number of items, and, if goods are packaged, the
number and kind of packaging.
3. Identity and address of sender.
4. Identity and address of transporter.
5. Amount of transportation fee and indication if paid.
6. The time during which the transportation will take place.
7. Other details agreed upon by both parties
The loss and responsibility for not entering one of the above items intentionally or
unintentionally or the false entry of items falls upon the sender.
If the gods transported should be dangerous, such as explosives, the sender who
does not give this information is responsible for compensation for loss caused through
this undisclosed information.
Article826. The sender must deposit all customhouse and other documents that are
necessary for the transportation of goods by the transporter.
If these papers are not properly and correctly prepared, the sender is responsible.
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Article 827. If the transportation documents have not been prepared, the transporter, on
request of the sender, should prepare a waybill containing the informational items of the
transportation document, sign it , the give it to the sender.
Article828. One copy of the transportation document, after it has been signed by the
sender, is deposited with the transporter to be sent along with the goods. The other copy,
after is has been signed by the transporter, should be ref\turned to the sender,
if the transportation document is marked " to the order" or "to the bearer," its
endorsement or receipt implies the transfer of ownership of the goods. The form and
consequences of the endorsement are subject to the same regulations as mentioned for
commercial documents.
Article829. if a transporter has not recorded a statement concerning the conditions and
receipt of the goods in the transportation document or any other paper by which he has
accepted the goods, it is understood that he has certified the absence of apparent defects
in the properties.
In spite of this, if the transporter has accepted the gods without protest, he may
claim and prove that the goods have unapparent and undetectable defects.
Article 830. the (
)
to him concerning the transportation of goods, except in uncontrollable cases where he
shall act accordingly.
Article 831. If the transportation of goods does not take place due to uncontrollable
situations unrelated to any of the parties, or if transportation should be delayed, the
transporter must inform the sender at once. In such cases, the sender may return the copy
of the transportation document which had been signed by the transporter, and the
settlement anticipated in Article 834 should follow and the contract be invalidated.
Article 832. Just as the sender has the right, with payment of the damage, to delay the
transportation and withhold the goods, according to Article 834 and 835, he is also
authorized to consign the goods to another person or otherwise control the goods. The
transporter is not subject to the orders of the sender from the date the goods have reached
their destination or the addressee has received the transportation documents or form the
date the sender has informed the addressee.
If transportation or documents are in the name of the bearer or marked “ to the order, “
the transporter is responsible only to present and deliver the good.
Article 833. If, on new directions of the sender or the addressee, the distance that has to
be traversed or the period of transportation is extended, the transporter may ask for
compensation in proportion to prolongation.
Article 834. If transportation arrangements are changed due to uncontrollable situations
not related to any of the parties, the transporter is entitled to claim his fee in proportion to
the distance traversed, and compensation for the extra expenses he has incurred. If,
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because of uncontrollable circumstances, transportation of goods should not start, the
transporter is not entitled to a fee abut he is entitled to claim compensation for other
expenses and services performed .
Article 835: If the transportation should be cancelled on order of the addressee, the
following provisions apply:
1. If transportation activity should not start, the sender should pay half of the
specified fees and expenses for transportation and removal of goods, together with
other expenses paid by the transporter.
2. If transportation activity should be stopped after starting, the sender must pay all
the transportation fee and the evacuation expenses of the goods together with all
the expenses made for returning the goods to him.
Article 836: The transporter must transport goods in the period specified by the
contract or by commercial custom , and if there is no such specification the goods
should be transported during a reasonable period.
Article 837: If goods should arrive after the specified period, the other party can ask
for a reduction of the transportation fee in proportion to the delayed period.
If transportation should be delayed more than twice the period specified , the
transporter's right to claim his fee is completely in validated, and the transporter must
compensate for losses proved to have resulted from this delay. Any terms in the
contract concerning the irresponsibility of the transporter are not valid . If the
transporter should prove that the delay was caused by the sender or the addressee, or
through uncontrollable reasons , he is not responsible for the late arrival of the goods.
Explanation concerning the absence or insufficiency of the necessary means of
transportation are not acceptable .
Article 838 : The transporter is responsible for any loss or damage suffered by the
property between the date he has received it and the date it is received by the
addressee. The transporter is absolved from responsibility if he can prove that the loss
or damage has been caused by any of the following reasons:
1. Conditions beyond the control of the transporter
2. Proof that there existed defects in the goods and in their packaging
3. Proof that the loss and damages have been caused by the actions and
instructions of the sender or the addressee
Only in case of complete loss and damage of goods as mentioned in and Item 3 is
the transporter entitled to full fee. If , in cases of Items 1 and 2 , part of the goods
has been destroyed , the transporter is entitled to receive the fee for the remaining
part.
Article 839 : The responsibility of the transporter begins from the date he
receives the goods for the purpose of transportation.
Article 840 : Concerning the transportation of goods which are reduced in weight
and volume during transportation , the transporter may determine the percentage
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of reduction before the transportation and receive the written approval of the
sender.
In case the goods should be in packages, responsibility may be limited to each
package separately.
If the sender or the addressee should prove that the reduction in weight or value
has not resulted from the nature of the goods but has resulted from other reasons,
or if the reduction is less than the amount specified, in such case the matter of
limitation of responsibility is without effect.
Article 841 : The transporter is responsible for the acts and errors of all other
transporters wording for him or helping him , or other persons delegated by him
to transport the goods until such time as the goods have been received by the
addressee.
Article 842 : The value of the loss of the goods is determined on the basis of the
price mentioned in the transportation document , and in the absence of which the
value is determined on the basis of the current price of the goods at the place of
receipt. Damage to goods before the goods are delivered is based first on cost
differential of the delivered place; and , after goods are delivered, the damage is
based on the popular method of the locality.
Article 843: In case of loss and damage suffered by goods , the transporter
guarantees the prices of the goods he has accepted .The loss suffered by
passengers of property which without the declaration of the nature and price
thereof has been deposited with the transporter , is determined on the basis of the
special circumstances of each person and accident . A transporter is not
responsible for loss of and damage to valued items such as cash . promissory
notes, bonds, loan documents, and other documents and papers which have not
been declared while being deposited with the transporter . In spite of this , if the
loss should be proved to have happened because of the apparent
misrepresentation and shortcomings of the transporter, the transporter must make
full compensation .
Article 844 : Transporters who provide transportation for goods subsequent to the
first transporter are his substitute as far as debts arising after the receipt of
movable goods and transportation documents are documents are concerned .
They may enter the condition of the goods having been received in the
transportation document or other accompanying papers . Otherwise, the contents
of Article 819 apply.
Article 845 : The transporter must inform the sender of the arrival of goods that
have been transported.
Article 846 : The transporter must act according to directions given to him by the
addressee before the arrival of the gooks, especially in reference to he upkeep of
merchandise. The addressee can claim loss from the transporter or third party
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before receiving goods or when he receives the transportation documents, or the
bill of lading , or such documents which represent the original documents . The
transporter presents to addressee a transportation document marked " to the
bearer" or marked "to the order "
Article 847 : Unless otherwise specified , the transportation fees together with
other expenses are paid by the addressee at the place of destination on the basis
of the terms of the transportation document.
Article 848 . If a person who receives transported goods should be unable to
make the payment involved, the transporter need not turn the goods over to him.
If there should be a dispute concerning differences in payment , the addressee can
pay the amount that he has agreed upon and deposit the amount in question with
a recognized bank or with a responsible person . In such case the transporter must
turn the goods over to him. The transporter does not have to deliver the goods
prior to the surrender of the transportation documents , whether these documents
are in the name of the bearer or to the order of .
Article 849 . The transporter may keep the goods until claims resulting from the
transportation contracture paid, if there should be many transporters, the last one
protects the rights of the previous ones . the amount deposited by the addressee
according to Article 848 is considered payment for the goods as far as keeping
the goods by the transporter is concerned .
Article 850 . If the last transporter should turn over goods without requesting the
deposited claim and without settling his settling his claim and those of his
preceding transporters, or the sender, he is responsible for the sum spent or the
expenses of the sender, or those of previous transporters, but his own right to
refer to the addressee is protected .
Article 851 . If , during the transfer of goods to the addressee, there should exist
no evidence of loss suffered by the goods, the addressee, has the right to examine
the condition and quality of the goods in the presence of the transporter, or have
the goods examined through the local Commercial Court. This right is also
available to the transporter. The expenses of such an examination are payable by
the person requesting the examination , but if the expenses paid by the addressee
should be paid top the transporter and loss and damage are suffered through
transportation, these expenses are reimbursable by the transporter.
Article 852 . In cases brought against a transporter for compensation due to
damage, it is possible to bring suit against either initial or final transporters, but if
it should be proved that the damage and loss were caused while the goods were in
the hands of another transporter, the charge is directed towards him.
If a transporter is made to compensate for loss and damages for which he is not
responsible , or if he should be brought to Court for this purpose, his right to
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protest against his predecessors or other transporters who might have
responsibility in this matter is protected .
If the responsible transporter should not be determined , the loss and damages
suffered must he assumed by all the transporters in proportion to the fee they
have received . In spite of this , if a transporter should prove that the losses
suffered have not taken place while the transported goods were his responsibility
, he need not compensated for the loss.
Article 853 . In case in the transporter should not find the addressee or the
addressee should refuse to accept the goods , or if there should be a delay in
receipt of the goods because of circumstances , the transporter must at once
inform the sender and await his answer . If sending an answer is not possible , or
if the sender should delay in answering, or if he should give directions impossible
to execute, the sender can refer to the Court and ask the appointment of a
responsible person, to whom the goods should be turned over. The loss and
damages suffered by such goods are incurred by the sender. In case the goods are
perishable , and loss pending receipt of an answer is inevitable , the transporter
shall act according to Article 655 , and deduct transportation charges and actual
expenses from the return realized from the sale of the goods.
The transporter must then as quickly as possible inform the sender and the
addressee of the situation or else be responsible for the loss and the addressee of
the situation or else be responsible for the loss and damage suffered.
Article 854 . In the circumstances mentioned in Article 853, the transporter must
act wisely and quickly as far as the transportation of goods and the protection of
the rights of the owner thereof are concerned .
Article 855 . The payment of transportation charges and the unconditional
acceptance of goods invalidate the case against the transporter.
In spite of this , if the loss should have been established before the acceptance by
qualified persons appointed by the Court, the right of the addressee to use the
transporter is secure.
If it should be impossible to detect losses and defects in goods during acceptance
,the right to bring claim against the transporter is preserved even after payment of
the transportation fee and the acceptance, on the basis of the following
circumstances:
1. If it should be proven that losses and damages were caused between the
period of the receipt of goods by the transporter and the date of turning
over of goods to addressee.
2. If by examination and investigation , damages are revealed eight (8)
days after acceptance , no claims may be made against the transporter
unless such a fault had been caused due to the carelessness of the
transporter.
Part 3 – Transport of persons
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Article 856 .Passengers must honor regulations otherwise set forth by the
transporter concerning transportation services.
Article 857 . If their travel arrangements should be cancelled after the contract and before
travel starts, the following applies :
1. If the passenger should not be able to be present on time at the starting place, he is
entitled to travel by means of subsequent transporters.
2. If the passenger should change has mind about traveling , he is not entitled to
refund.
3. If the travel should be cancelled because of death , sickness, or uncontrollable
reasons, the fare paid is refunded.
4. If the travel should be cancelled due to uncontrollable reasons related to the
means of transportation, without the fault of either party, the contract (without
being penalized ) is invalidated, but if the transporter should have received the
fare he must return it .
5. If travel arrangements should be cancelled due to the acts and the fault of the
transporter , the traveler is entitled to receive refund and claim compensation for
his loss.
Article 858 . If travel arrangements should be interrupted after the contract and the
start of travel , unless otherwise specified in the contract , the following applies:
1. If traveler enroute should change his mind about continuing the trip , he is
liable for payment of all fees.
2. If a transporter should change his mind about continuing the journey or if a
traveler should have to stop on the way because of the shortcomings and fault
of a transporter, the traveler is not liable for payment of the fare. If a traveler
has paid his fare, he is entitled to a refund and claim for the loss incurred.
3. If travel should be cancelled for personal reasons of the passenger, or by
uncontrollable reasons concerning the means of transportation , the fare is
paid in proportion to the distance traversed . In such case , neither of the
parties is liable for compensation for loss suffered by the other .
Article 859 . If a transporter during the journey should stop at a place not in his
scheduled course and follow another course, or by any other means should delay
the arrival at destination, the traveler is entitled to invalidate the contract and
claim the loss . If a transporter should be carrying goods in addition to passengers
, he is entitled to a delay period required for unloading of the goods. This Article
applies in case there should exist no contract to the contrary.
Article 860 . If a trip should be cancelled on order of the Government , or if it he
should be delayed by necessary repairs to the transporting means, or hazards
prevent continuation of the journey ( provided there should not exist any special
arrangement between the parties) the following will apply:
1. If a traveler should not want to wait for the elimination of the reason for
delay or the completion of repairs , he can , after paying the fare
proportional to the distance traveled , invalidate the contract.
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2. If a passenger should desire to wait , he is to pay the specified fare , but
if the fare includes food as will , the traveler , during the period of delay
, must personally bear the expense for his food.
Article 861 . A traveler must pay transportation charges for his personal luggage
separately unless there exist provision to the contrary . A transporter is
responsible for loss of and damages suffered by a traveler's property according to
Articles 838843 . A transporter is not responsible for the loss of goods personally
carried by a traveler.
Article 862 . A transporter is entitled to withhold the luggage of a traveler
pending payment for fare and food.
Article 863 . A transporter is not responsible for accidents involving a traveler
while in transit unless it is proved that the accident was caused by the neglect of
the transporter or his personnel.
Article 864 . If a traveler should die while in transit , a transporter , for the
protection of the traveler's heirs, must safeguard the traveler's luggage and other
related properties until such time that they may be turned over to authorized
persons.
If one of the relative of the deceased should be present , he is entitled to intercede
in the supervision of this affair , and he can request a statement from the
transporter concerning the properties left by the deceased .
Article 865 . Regulation of the interior of the conveyance is the duty of the
transporter . It is the duty of the transporter to see that passengers do not carry
with them items which might cause trouble and damage to themselves and other
travelers . Losses suffered by such means by the travelers are payable by the
transporter.
Subchapter 13 Insurance
Part 1 – General Insurance Laws
Article 866 . Insurance is a contract by which an insurance company promises to
compensate for loss and damage suffered by persons from certain specified
accidents and uncontrollable circumstances for a specific amount of money .
Article 867 . In case of insurance disputes , regulations of this law are applied
unless otherwise explicitly covered in the insurance contract.
Part II Property Insurance
Article 868 . Properties may be insured by owners, creditors, mortgagors, tenants,
and all persons benefiting from property. The insurance may be provided by their
executors and agents unless otherwise specified.
Article 869. A person may make an insurance contract in the name and
account of another person, but if the person who makes the contract should not be
authorized by the one in whose name and count the insurance contract is made
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should have accepted it before the grounds for a claim arise, he can take
advantage of the insurance.
Article 970. If insurance made through an agent who has executed the contract
is accepted by a person it is understood that the agent has acted in accordance
with the terms of the business of his agency. If a person for whom an insurance
contract is made should not have given directions concerning the terms of the
insurance, the agent must execute the contract of the insurance in accordance with
local costume. If it should not be understood from the contract that the insurance
has been made in the name and account of another person, it is understood that the
contract has been executed in the name and account of the executor.
Article 971. A creditor can insure his dept against the inability of a debtor to
pay. In such case (unless otherwise stated in the contract), the insurance company
can claim that the creditor should in the first instance refer to the properties of the
debtor to settle his debt.
Article 872. A creditor who has in his control or in mortgage the real and
personal property of a debtor, or who has a prior claim on these properties, is
considered compensated by the insurance on the insured property for the
destroyed property under control of the creditors.
Article 873. If the priority of a creditor in an insured property is inadequate
to pay the claims of a creditor having later priority, he can not again insure the
property.
Article 874. Loses suffered through illegal activities or activities not in
accordance with general morality and good conduct can not be insured.
Article 875. An insurance agreement is not considered applicable if those
who are insured or persons who conditionally receives benefit from insurance are
aware of the occurrence of a previous accident. In such event, the insurance
company may return the premium.
Article 876. The insurance company must compensate exactly for the
damages actually suffered by the insure persons. Therefore, if compensation for
an insured property should exceed the real price of the property, the person who
has insured the property can not take advantage of the excessive price. If the
insurance payment should be less than the price of the property, the insurance
premium is also reduced and that part of the premium which has been collected in
excess should be returned. If the insurance price is established by the report of
experts selected by the consent of the parties and accepted, the insurance
company can not object to the ruling.
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Article 877. The insurance company can, at any time, examine the insured
property to establish its price.
Article 878. If a property has been insured for its total price by its owner, this
same owner con not reinsure this property against the same risks. If it should not
be established in the contract that the property has been insured for its total price,
than the property could be insured once or many times for its remaining price. In
such case, the insurance companies who have subsequently insured the property
are responsible for the remaining price from the date the contract has been
made……….contracts are considered to be effective on the date executed.
Article 879 . If a property is insured by many companies at the same ……. for the
same risks, the contracts made are recognized for the amount equal to the price of
the property. In such case ,each of the insurance companies is responsible in
proportion to the total amount insured .
Article 880 . If a property is insured for only a part of its price, in case the rest
should be insured, unless otherwise stated , the insurance company is required to
compensate the later part at the same rate as the part which previously has been
insured .
Article 881 . Property insured for its total price could, in the following
circumstances , be insured against the sane risk :
1. In case the insurance companies should approve, in which case all the
contracts are taken to have been executed at the same time . and in case
of loss the compensation for the loss is made by the companies
according to Article 879.
2. If the policy holder transfers all rights of the first insurance company to
that of a second , the method of transferring must be indicated explicitly
to the second company. Contrary to this , the contract is null and void .
3. If it should be a condition that the latter insurance company is
responsible for the compensation that was not made by the previous
company . In such case the matter should be entered in the contract of
the latter in accordance with the contract of the former.
Article 882 . The insured person must. At the time of the contract , inform the
insurance company of all details which might cause a greater award and in case of
fraud the insurance contract is invalidated . If in three months' time from the date
the insurance company has received the correct information it does not use its
right to invalidate the contract, this right is without effect. If it is proven that the
insuring person has unlawful intentions, the insurance company is entitled to
return the premium. No responsibility is directed to the insuring party except for
those promises and answer he has made on the insurance application filled in by
him.
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Article 883 .If the possibility of accident is removed prior to actual
responsibility of the insurance company , without the interference of the policy
holder or his beneficiaries, the insurance company cannot claim the premium.
Article 884 . The insurer can , before an accident , invalidate the insurance
contract partly or wholly , in such case , the insurance company is entitled to half
the fee.
Article 885 . Unless otherwise stipulated , the insurance company is responsible
for compensating for losses suffered through unintentional acts of the insured to
himself or his beneficiaries, or the person for whose acts the insurance company
is legally responsible , but in no case is the company responsible to compensate
for losses suffered through fraud on the part of the insurer or the beneficiaries .
Also , unless otherwise specified, the insurance company is not responsible for
compensating for defects occurring in the property.
Article 886 . The insurer has five days from the day of the occurrence of the risk
against which the insurance has been made to inform the insurance company , In
addition to this , the insurer must take proper steps to prevent loss or reduce
damage therefrom. Conditions otherwise stated in the contract in favor of the
insurer concerning this situation are not valid . If the expense for the proper steps
proves ineffective, the insurance company pays it, but if the insurance should not
be related to the total price of the goods , the expense should be paid in
proportion to the part insured.
Article 887 . If through fraud or shortcoming the insurer should not fulfill his
obligations as mentioned in Article 886 , he loses his rights resulting from the
insurance .
Article 888 . If a property should be insured in different insurance companies
according to Article 879, in case of occurrence of the risk the insurer must ,
within the specified period of Article886, inform each of the companies of the
loss as well as the agreements made concerning this .
Article 889 . Unless otherwise stated each insurance company is responsible to
compensate for loss suffered by the insured properties, except in case of war and
transgression .
Article 890 . In case risks for which , according to Article 889, the insurance
company is responsible should be an exception in the contract, and if there is loss
through this type of risk , the proof of the fact that the suffered loss has been
caused by the excepted risk rests with the insurance company.
Article 891 . Unless otherwise stated , the insurance company is responsible for
risks which occur after the date the insurance contract has been made . If the
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duration for which this responsibility is in effect is not explicit in the contract , it
is determined by the Court on the basis of local custom.
Article 892 .The insurance company is entitled to premium from the date its
responsibility begins.
Article 893 . Payment to the insurance company may be made in either cash or
instruments that are to be paid in cash , and in monthly or yearly installments.
However , if contrary to this is not agreed , payment will be made in cash when
the insurance responsibility starts.
Article 894 . If the insurance premium and the process for its payment should not
be decided , it is determined by the Court on the basis of local custom and
circumstances .
Article 895 . The insured value is determined on the basis of the price of the
insured property . If the insured value of property should exceed its real value, the
real value only is paid when the insured property has all been destroyed . In case
of partial loss of property unless otherwise provided, insurance for the loss is paid
in proportion to the total value .
Article 896 . If the value of the insured property is not mentioned in the contract ,
the insuring party must prove its value in event of loss . If the Court should so
wish , for its own satisfaction , it can request a sworn statements of the value form
the insuring party. If the insuring party claims that the price of the property has
been declared less then its actual price, he must prove his claim, but if the price of
the insured property has been determined by qualified persons appointed by both
parties before the loss, and fraud by the insuring party has not been proved, the
insurance company can not protest this value.
Article 897: After the insurance company makes payment to policy holder, the
insurance company becomes the representative of the policy holder. Therefore, if
the insuring party should have claims against third person for the loss, this right
in proportion to the money the company has paid is transferred to the insuring
company. If the policy holder is indemnified as stated in the above mentioned
Article, he is responsible to the insurance company.
Article 898: The insurance contract is established on the bases of insurance
policy or another substitute contract. The contract should be prepared in two
copies. It should, in addition to the date and signature of both parties, content the
following items:
1. The name and the address of the insurance company.
2. The object insure
3. The compensation of the loss promised by the company with the dates of
effect and determination
4. Insurance value
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5. The amount, time and place for the payment of insurance fees
6. All circumstances and factors determining the nature of the insure risks
Remark : The insurance policy is made in the name or order of the insured party
or in the name of the bearer.
Article 899: Unless otherwise stated, the insurance company must present the
executed contract, made directly between the insuring party or his executor and
the insurance company, to the insuring party within 24 hours of the date it is
made; or if the contract should have been made of ten days after the date it was
made, or else the insuring party can claim the suffer loss from the insurance
company and the broker through whose mediation the contract has taken place.
Article 900: The insurance premium is payable at the address of the insuring
party, but a condition in the contract as to the payment of the premium at the
office of the company or at its agency is valid. However, contrary to the above
condition, if the insurance premium is paid at the place of policy holder, the
requirement for payment at the place of insurance company is not applicable.
Article 902: If the insurance premium has not been paid at the time of the
contract, or it has been agreed it will be paid on the installment, the insurance
company may send the insuring party a formal warning through registered letter if
it is not at the end of the installment period. In case of non payment of the
premium, the contract is invalidated after a period of one month. Any condition
otherwise established in the contract against the insurer is not recognized.
Article 903: If, in an insurance agreement made for a number of years, the
amount of insurance payment is augmented because of especial hazard, and the
hazard later disappears, the policy holder may apply for a reduction for the related
years.
Article 904 : If an insurance company goes bankrupt before the expiration of an
insurance policy , or if the insured goes bankrupt or otherwise is unable to pay the
insurance premium , the injured party may establish a claim against the total
assets of the other party in order to settle the claims resulting from the contract .
If settlement has been made during a period of three days from the date of the
demand , the person who has made a claim against the assets of the other party
may invalidate the contract.
Article 905 : If, during the period of contract , a person whose property has been
insured for some reason transfers the property , all rights of the insurance are
transferred to the new owner if not contrary to the conditions of the agreement .
Article 906 : If the insuring party, without the approval of the insurance company
, should change the risk location or the condition of the property from that of the
time of contract, the insurance company may invalidate the contract if these
changes are of a nature that would cause invalidity of the contract, or would
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require heavy commitment on the part of the insurance company . If the insured
person making these changes should within eight inform the company of the
matter , the insurance exists if the company has not used its invalidation right
during the same eight days.
Article 907 : If the insurance premium is not paid for two years , it may be
settled from the insured property. This claim has priority over other debts.
Part IIIFire Insurance
Article 908 : A fire insurance company is responsible for compensating for
losses suffered by fire to insured personal and real properties . An insurance
company is not responsible for compensating for losses caused from intentional
fires in which the insuring party is primarily or secondarily involved.
Article 909 : The following expenses , unless otherwise stated, are considered to
have been caused by the fire loss :
1. The expense of an means required for the purpose of putting out the fire,
such as prevention of smoke damage or other steps taken to secure the
insured property or such as moving the property from one place to
another , or the partial or complete destruction of the insured building
which may be necessary of the purpose of preventing the extension of the
fire.
2. The losses resulting from fire, lightning , explosion , and the like, even if
these should not have been the cause of the fire.
Article 910 . The contract which is made for the insurance of real and personal
property against fire should , in addition to the specifications of Article 899,
contain the following information :
1. Location and type of building and the purpose for which insured building
is used .
2. If the subject of insurance is goods are located , its construction and use .
Article 911 . Partial damage suffered by an insured building through fire is
established on the basis of comparison of the value of the building before and
after the fire . Damage caused by fire in and insured building is paid so that the
necessary repair or replacement can be made, and if rebuilding or repairing of a
building destroyed partially or completely by fire has been provided for in the
contract. It is executed during a period agreed upon by both parties . In case of
disagreement between the parties , this period may be determined by the Court . If
the expenses should be paid by the insurance company , the insuring person must
build and repair , and the insurance company has the right to control and
supervise the expenses for which payment it is responsible .
Article 912 : A person who , in the account of another person, is authorized to
have control over a property . can insure this property partially or completely
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against fire . Also a person who by whatever means controls a property for which
he is legally responsible , can insure it against fire for his personal protection.
Article 913 : In analyzing Article 912 concerning the authority to obtain
insurance compensation , the insurance company will compensation only those
individuals and insurer to whom they are responsible. Creditors of the
policyholder cannot take advantage of insurance compensation.
Article 914 : Unless otherwise stated , the insuring party has the right to leave
the property having suffered damages to the insurance company and claim its
replacement .
Party IV – Transportation Insurance
Article 915 . Unless otherwise stated , in the matter of transportation insurance
the insurance company is responsible for any loss or damage suffered to
properties being transported on land or on the water other then the ocean ,from
the date it has been given to the transporter to the date it has been received by the
addressee.
Article 916 . The cost of insurance in addition to the local of merchandise
insured includes freight charges and other expenses until the goods are delivered
to the final destination .When goods are delivered to the final destination just
profit based on common custom is applicable provided it has been entered
separately in the insurance contract .
Article 917 . The contract concerning insurance transportation must have the
following items in addition to the specifications of Article 898 :
1. The transportation means and route followed
2. The name and commercial title of the transporter
3. The period of transportation , if determined by the transporter and the
addressee
4. The place of receipt of goods by the addressee and the place of receipt of
goods by the transporter
Article 918 . The insurance company is responsible for damages caused by
fraud and irregularities by the transporter's employees.
Article 919 : If transportation company should be postponed or if the route and
method of transportation should be changed, the insurance contract is not
invalidated.
Part V – Life Insurance
Article 920 . The life of a person may be insured either by himself or by a third
person , but in order for the contract to be valid the third person should have an
interest in the life of the person he has insured . A contract concerning the health
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insurance of a mentally incompetent or insane person is allowed but a contract
conditioned to their death is not allowed .In either case, if death should occur ,
half of the fees collected until the date of death is returned to the insuring party.
Article 921 . An insurance company may insure a person for a definite period of
time by indicating the probability and condition of life expectancy in the
insurance policy .
Article 922 . In the life insurance contract , in addition to the specifications of
Article 898 , the name , age business ,and health condition of the person whose
life is insured is entered . This agreement can be made either to the "named " or
"the order of " but it cannot be made to the bearer .
Article 923 . If the person whose life is insured should die while the contract is
in process , the insurance is not recognized .
Article 924 . In case of default of the insurance premium , the provisions of
Article 902 are recognized and the insurance and the insurance company does not
have to bring a case concerning this matter .
If the policy holder refuses to pay what he has promised , he cannot ask for
refund of the payment which he has paid to the company .
However , if the policy holder has paid the amount for more than three years
he can, after deducting one per cent from the total , apply for two thirds of the
remainder .
Article 925 . The suicide of a person who has insured his life against the risk of
death invalidates payment for death by the insurance company , but if the suicide
should occur under circumstances beyond the control and determination of the
insured , it does not invalidate the insurance .
If a beneficiary of an insurance policy should be convicted to take advantage
of the insurance , and the insurance benefits go to the heirs of the person
murdered.
Article 926 . A person can insure his life for whatever sum he wishes , and can
insure with more than one company .
Article 927 . The authority to claim and settle rights resulting from a life
insurance contract between a company and a third person belongs directly to the
third person . If in the contract there should be a stipulation concerning the
inheritance of a third person, according to Paragraph 1 this person has direct
rights against the insurance company . A husband and wife can , on the basis of
this agreement , execute two policies on the life of each other.
Article 928 . Just as the insuring party can determine the benefactor at the time of
the agreement , so he can determine him after the agreement . The insurer may
change the beneficiary , but if he has stated in the contract that he does not have
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the right to change the beneficiary and gives the contract to the beneficiary , then
he cannot change the beneficiary .
Article 929 . In case of bankruptcy or liquidation of the insurance company ,
claims of those who are benefiting on the basis of recognized contracts are
restricted to the return of the premiums without interest that have been paid for
each contract until the date of the ruling of bankruptcy or liquidation .
Article 930 . The insured may , without previous notice , travel in Afghanistan or
abroad on land , sea or in the air.
A life insurance contract in time of peace and in time of armed mobilization or
during internal strife and civil wars is valid unless otherwise stated . The contract
is cancelled only at the start of war with a foreign country . In such case , the
premium received for anticipation of death is returnable without interest.
Article 931 . The insurance payments , based on the Tontines system , are
payable on a fixed date to the beneficiaries as , for example , a life annuity which
has fixed installments.
Part VI Accident Insurance
Article 932 . Accident insurance is a contract on the basis of which the insurance
company promises to pay , in return for a fee , a certain lump sum and / or income
in case of sickness or injury which affects the normal income of the insured , or in
case of the death of the insured person because of an accident the nature of which
has been defined ,or because of temporary or permanent disability of the insured .
This payment is made to the insured or to his heirs or other specified person or
persons who legally replace him as far as his rights are concerned . The
insurance contract can be made directly by the insuring party , or a person can the
contract in favor of one or many persons. Accident insurance by a group or a
society is also possible . In such case it is not necessary that the names of the
insured parties be mentioned . The profession or occupation is sufficient.
Article 933 . The insurance contract may be made to protect the insured from
damages cased to him because of an accident . These contracts may also be made
to settle damages resulting from an accident that the insured party might have to
settle.
Article 934 . In respect to accident insurance , the company is required to include
the following provisions in the agreement:
1. In case the accident should result in death , whether at once or in the
period of one year from the date of the accident .
2. In case the accident should cause permanent disability .
3. In case the accident should cause temporary disability to work , the
insured party is compensated on a day –by – day basis as long as the
disability lasts.
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Article 935 . Unless otherwise stated , the insurance company must pay the
medical expenses actually paid by the insured party in addition to compensations
mentioned in the contract .
Article 936 . The receipt of an insurance award from the insurance company does
not invalidate the right of the insurance receiver to make claim against a third
person whose mistake and fault is involved. The third person must , regardless of
the insurance , compensate the person who has lost . In other cases relating to
accident insurance , the regulations of life insurance apply.
Part VII
Agricultural Insurance
Article 937 . Any kind of crop , cut or uncut , can be insured at any time of the
year.
Article 938 . Agricultural insurance is valid for the period it has been contracted .
The insurance period may cover a second damage after compensation has been
paid for a previous damage . The extent of damage is determined by a mediator
appointed by both parties .
Article 939 . Continuation of the insurance period in agricultural insurance
companies which are based on the confidence of both parties is as long as the
company continues . However, both the company and the stockholders at the end
of each year may cancel the agreement . Condition which are contrary to this are
valid.
Article 940: It is permissible to insure agricultural and domestic animals against
any kind of communicable disease.
Part VIII Theft Insurance
Article 941 . In order to protect a protect a person against theft or persons who
suffer from the loss caused by theft , it is possible to make an insurance contract
against theft.
Part IX Passage of Time
Article 942 . Any case resulting from the contract of insurance loses its effect two
years from the date of the dispute.
Article 943 . After the issuance of this law , the following laws are discarded and
replaced by this law: (1) commercial books law: (2) brokerage law : (3)
commercial law : and (4) commercial registration law
Article 944 This law is applicable 2 months after the date it is issued
Article 945 . The authority to execute and apply this law rests with the Ministry
of commerce.
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We order and ordain the enactment and execution of this law among other laws of
the country. Dated 21 Qaus 1334
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