Article 3 of the Saudi Bar Association Statute

المادة 3 من تنظيم الهيئة السعودية للمحامين

This 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.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

تكون العضوية في الهيئة على النحو الآتي :

1 - العضوية الأساسية: ويتمتع بها المحامون السعوديون المرخص لهم بمزاولة مهنة المحاماة في المملكة الذين سددوا رسوم العضوية السنوية المقررة.

2 - عضوية الانتساب: ويتمتع بها كل من تتوافر فيه شروط مزاولة مهنة المحاماة في المملكة، وذلك بعد التقدم بطلب هذه العضوية إلى مجلس إدارة الهيئة وقبول المجلس له، وسداد رسوم العضوية السنوية المقررة.

3 - العضوية الفخرية: ويتمتع بها من يقرر مجلس إدارة الهيئة منحها لهم ممن يقدمون إسهامات مميزة تخدم أهداف الهيئة.

This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers

Article 3 explained in plain English

This article sets the types of membership in the Saudi Bar Association:

Core membership: for Saudi lawyers licensed to practice law in the Kingdom who have paid the prescribed annual membership fee. A license alone is not enough; payment of the fee is required.
Affiliate membership: for anyone who meets the conditions for practicing law in the Kingdom, after applying to the board of directors and being accepted, and paying the annual fees.
Honorary membership: for those the board of directors decides to grant it to among those who make distinguished contributions that serve the Association's aims.

The difference between the types has a practical effect: Article 2 makes it one of the Association's powers to look after the interests of core members relating to practicing the profession and provide the necessary services to them, including certifying their signatures. Article 4 also makes removal from the roll of licensed lawyers a reason for membership ending for core members, because their membership rests on the license.

Note that both core and affiliate membership are conditional on paying the prescribed annual membership fee, unlike honorary membership, for which the text mentions no fees. This article does not include the amount of the fees, and delay in paying them may lead to membership ending under Article 4.

Practical example

Khalid, a Saudi lawyer, obtained a license to practice law. To enjoy core membership of the Association, he must pay the prescribed annual membership fee.

Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.

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