In force Last amended 18/2/1447 AH
Saudi Bar Association Statute
تنظيم الهيئة السعودية للمحامين
The statute organizing the Saudi Bar Association (the Saudi Authority for Lawyers). The text is set out in 20 articles.
- Articles
- 20
- In force
- 19
- Amended
- 6
- Issued
- 8/7/1436 AH
Issued by: قرار مجلس الوزراء رقم 317 بتاريخ 8 / 7 / 1436
Each article shows the official Arabic text, which is the only legally binding version, followed by our plain-English explanation.
Browse Saudi Bar Association Statute by topic
Establishing the Lawyers Authority and Its Objectives3 articlesMembership of the Lawyers Authority2 articlesGeneral Assembly of the Authority3 articlesBoard of Directors of the Authority4 articlesBoard Powers and Complaints Against Lawyers1 articleGeneral Secretariat and Authority Resources5 articles
Articles of the Saudi Bar Association Statute
- Article 1This article establishes the Saudi Bar Association as a professional body with legal personality and independent finances, under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice, based in Riyadh, with the power to set up branches within the Kingdom.
- Article 2This article sets the Association's aim of raising the level at which lawyers practice, ensuring they perform well and increasing their awareness of their duties, and lists its powers, such as setting profession standards, training and legal aid.
- Article 3This article divides membership of the Association into three types: core membership for licensed Saudi lawyers who have paid the fees, affiliate membership for anyone meeting the conditions to practice, and honorary membership granted by the board.
- Article 4This article lists the cases in which membership of the Association ends: death, removal from the roll of lawyers, delay in payment of more than 90 days after a warning, a reasoned board decision, and withdrawal.
- Article 5This article provides that the Association has a general assembly made up of all core members.
- Article 6This article regulates the general assembly's meetings: the ordinary meeting within 90 days of the start of the financial year, a quorum of half, the second meeting, decisions, and the invitation at least 30 days ahead.
- Article 7تكوًّن في السنة الأولى من كل دورة جديدة لمجلس الإدارة لجنة عامة للانتخابات من خمسة أعضاء؛ ثلاثة منهم من أعضاء الهيئة الأساسيين تختارهم…Repealed
- Article 8This article sets the general assembly's powers, such as approving the regulations, administrative and financial rules, membership fees and affiliation controls, and approving the final accounts and work plan.
- Article 9يكون مجلس إدارة الهيئة على النحو الآتي: أ - وزير العدل رئيساً ب - ممثل من وزارة الداخلية عضواً ج - ممثل من وزارة العدل عضواً د - ممثل من…
- Article 10This article ends the board membership of the five core members on the board by board decision upon resignation or absence without excuse from three consecutive meetings or six separate ones.
- Article 11The article sets the board of directors' term at three years and bars appointing the members referred to in paragraph (g) of Article 9 for more than two terms.
- Article 12The article regulates the board's meetings: at least every 90 days or at the written request of four members, a quorum of a majority including the chairman or his deputy, and decisions by a majority of those present.
- Article 13The article gives the board all the powers needed to conduct the Association's affairs, except those of the general assembly, including proposing regulations and fees, receiving complaints against lawyers and keeping a list of volunteer lawyers.
- Article 14The article makes the chairman of the board of directors, or whoever he delegates, the Association's representative in its dealings with other bodies and before the courts.
- Article 15The article provides that the board appoints a Secretary General and one or more assistant secretaries who work full time, lets the Secretary General appoint staff within the budget, and gives him the powers to certify regular members' signatures and prepare the draft budget.
- Article 16The article makes the Association's financial year the State's financial year, with the first year, as an exception, starting from the date the Statute takes effect and ending at the end of the following financial year.
- Article 17The article lists the Association's resources: membership fees and fees for services, government subsidies if any, gifts, bequests and endowments the board accepts, investment returns, and other resources the board approves.
- Article 18The article requires the Association to deposit its cash in its own name at a local bank, withdrawable only by a cheque signed by the board chairman or his delegate and the Secretary General, and not to spend its funds beyond its purposes.
- Article 19The article requires the Association to have an auditor appointed by the general assembly from licensed chartered accountants, with fees set by the assembly, who inspects the books and documents and reports on the accounts to the assembly.
- Article 20The article provides that the Saudi Bar Association Statute takes effect 60 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.