Shura Council Law

Royal Decree No. A/91
27 Sha'ban 1412/ I March 1992
Published in Umm-al-Qura Gazette, No.3397
2 Ramadan 1412 / 5 March 1992

Article One:


In compliance with Allah Almighty words:

[Those who respond to their Lord, and establish regular prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation; who spend out of what we bestow on them for sustenance] "Shura Sura (ChapterXL11), Verse 38". And [It is part of the Mercy of Allah that thou dost deal gently with them. Wert thou severe or harsh-hearted , they would have broken away from about thee : so pass over ( their faults ) , and ask for ( Allah's ) forgiveness for them ; and consult them in affairs ( of moment ) . Then, when thou hast taken a decision, put thy trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him)] "Al-Imran Sura (ChapterIII), Verse 159".

And following His Messenger Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH) in consulting his Companions, and urging the (Muslim) Nation to engage in consultation. The shura council shall be established to exercise the tasks entrusted to it, according to this Law and the Basic Law of Governance while adhering to Quran and the Path (Sunnah) of his Messenger (PBUH), maintaining brotherly ties and cooperating unto righteousness and piety.

Article Two:


The shura council shall hold fast to the bond of Allah and adhere to the sources of Islamic legislation. All members of the shura council shall strive to serve the public interest, and preserve the unity of the community, the entity of the State and nation interests.

Article Three:


The shura council shall consist of a Speaker and One hundred and fifty members chosen by the King from amongst scholars, those of knowledge, expertise and specialists, provided that women representation shall not be less than ( 20% ) of members number. Their rights , duties and affairs shall be determined by a Royal Order.*

*This is the text after it was amended by the Royal Order number A/44 dated 29/2/1434 H, where the previous text was:" The shura council shall consist of a Speaker and One hundred and fifty members chosen by the King from amongst scholars, those of knowledge, expertise and specialists. Their rights , duties and affairs shall be determined by a royal order"..



Article Four:


It is stipulated that the member of The shura council shall be as follows:
  1. A Saudi national by descent and upbringing.
  2. A person well known for uprightness and competence.
  3. A person not less than 30 years of age.

Article Five:


A member may submit a request to resign his membership to the Speaker, who in turn shall bring it before the King.

Article Six:


Accountability of a member shall be done on failing to perform duties, and shall be trialed according to rules and procedures to be issued by royal decree.

Article Seven:


On vacancy of a member position, the King shall choose a substitution and a royal decree shall be issued to this effect.

Article Eight:


No member may exploit his membership for his own interest.

Article Nine:


The membership shall not be combined with any governmental post, or with the management of any organization, unless the King deems it necessary.

Article Ten:


Speaker, Vice-Speaker, Assistant Speaker and Secretary General shall be appointed and released by royal decree. Their ranks, rights, duties, and all their affairs shall be defined by royal decree.*

*A Royal Order number A/181 dated 14/12/1428 H was issued to amend this article.



Article Eleven:


Prior to assumption of their duties, Speaker, members and Secretary General shall take the following Oath before the King:

“I swear to Allah Almighty to be loyal to my religion, then to my King and Country, and not to reveal any of the State’s secrets, to preserve its interests and laws, and to perform my duties with sincerity, integrity, loyalty and fairness.”

Article Twelve:


Riyadh City shall be the seat of the The shura council. The shura council may convene in other locations within the Kingdom if the King deems it appropriate.

Article Thirteen:


The shura council term shall be four Hijri years, effective from the specified date in the Royal Decree issued for its formation. A new Majlis shall be formed at least two months prior to the end of the current Majlis. In case term of the current Majlis ends before a new formation; current Majlis shall remain active until the new formation is accomplished. Numbers of the newly selected members shall not be less than half of the current Majlis.

Article Fourteen:


The King, or whoever may deputize, shall deliver an annual royal speech at The shura council on State's domestic and foreign policy.

Article Fifteen:


The shura council shall express its opinion on State's general policies referred by Prime Minister. The shura council shall specifically have the right to exercise the following:
  1. Discuss the general plan for economic and social development and give view.
  2. Revising laws and regulations, international treaties and agreements, concessions, and provide whatever suggestions it deems appropriate.
  3. Analyzing laws.
  4. Discuss government agencies annual reports and attaching new proposals when it deems appropriate.

Article Sixteen:


A meeting of The shura council shall not be valid without a quorum of at least two-thirds of members, including Speaker or whoever may deputizes. Resolutions shall not be considered valid without members' majority approval.

Article Seventeen:


The shura council’s resolutions shall be submitted to the king who decides what resolutions to be referred to Cabinet. - If views of both The shura council and the Cabinet agree, the resolutions are issued after the king approval. - If views of both councils vary the issue shall be returned back to The shura council to decide whatever it deems appropriate, and send the new resolution to the king who takes the final decisions.*

*A Royal Order number A/198 dated 2/10/1424 H was issued to amend this article.



Article Eighteen:


Laws, international treaties and agreements, and concessions shall be issued and amended by royal decrees after being reviewed by the The shura council.

Article Nineteen:


The shura council shall form the necessary specialized committees amongst its members to exercise power within its jurisdiction. Further, it may form ad hoc committees to review any item on its agenda.

Article Twenty:


The shura council’s committees may seek non-Majlis members assistance of whomever fit upon Speaker's approval.

Article Twenty-One:


The shura council shall have Steering Committee composed of Speaker, Vice Speaker, and heads of specialized committees.

Article Twenty-Two:


Speaker shall submit to Prime Minister requesting accountability of ministers. A minister shall have the right to participate in the deliberation but not the right to vote.

Article Twenty-Three:


The shura council shall have the jurisdiction to propose a draft of a new law or an amendment of an enacted law and study them within the shura council. Speaker shall submit the shura council’ resolution of the new or amended law to the king.* **

*A Royal Order number A/181 dated 14/12/1428 H was issued to amend this article.



**A Royal Order number A/198 dated 2/10/1424 H was issued to amend this article.



Article Twenty-Four:


Speaker of The shura council shall submit a request to the Prime Minister in providing the shura council with documents and data in possession of government agencies, which the shura council deems necessary to facilitate its work.

Article Twenty-Five:


Speaker shall submit an annual report to the King regarding Majlis’ work in accordance with its regulations.

Article Twenty-Six:


Civil service laws shall be applying to The shura council employees unless the regulations provide otherwise.

Article Twenty-Seven:


The King shall allocate The shura council special budget. The budget shall be spend in accordance with rules issued by royal decree.

Article Twenty-Eight:


The shura council’s financial matters, auditing and closing accounts shall be regulated by special rules issued by royal decree.

Article Twenty-Nine:


The shura council regulations shall define the functions of its Speaker, the Vice Speaker, the General Secretary, the Assistant Speaker, its bodies, the methods of conducting its meetings, the management of its work, and the work of its committees and the voting procedure. The regulations shall also specify rules of debate, principles of responding and other matters conducive to order and discipline within the shura council, so that it may exercise its jurisdiction for the welfare of the Kingdom and the prosperity of its people. These regulations shall be issued by Royal Order.*

*(1) A Royal Order number A/181 dated 1428/12/14 was issued to amend this article. (Page 28. Article twenty nine).



Article Thirty:


Amendment of this Law can only be made in the same manner of the promulgation.