Article 43 of the Saudi Basic Law of Governance
المادة 43 من النظام الأساسي للحكم · الباب الخامس: الحقوق والواجبات
The Article provides that the King's majlis and the Crown Prince's majlis are open to every citizen and to anyone with a complaint or grievance, and that every individual has the right to address the public authorities.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مجلس الملك ومجلس ولي العهد، مفتوحان لكل مواطن، ولكل من له شكوى أو مظلمة، ومن حق كل فرد مخاطبة السلطات العامة فيما يعرض له من الشئون.
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 43 explained in plain English
This Article establishes two related rights concerning the individual's relationship with authority:
- Open majlises: the King's majlis and the Crown Prince's majlis are open to two categories mentioned in the text:
- Every citizen;
- Anyone with a complaint or grievance.
- Addressing the public authorities: every individual has the right to address the public authorities regarding matters that concern him, a general phrase that covers the matters a person faces with public bodies.
The Article does not state how to reach these majlises, the form of a complaint, the bodies to which communications are submitted, or the periods for a response; these details are not in the text of the Article.
The Article comes in Chapter Five, "Rights and Duties", and is linked to Article 44, which states that the State's authorities are the judicial, executive and regulatory authorities and that the King is the reference for these authorities; Article 43 makes the King's majlis open to those with complaints and grievances.
Anyone with a complaint against a public body who wants to know the appropriate legal route would be well advised to consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases.
Practical example
A transaction of Abdullah's is delayed at a government body for a long time. Article 43 gives him the right to address the public authorities regarding matters that concern him, and the King's majlis and the Crown Prince's majlis are open to anyone with a complaint or grievance. The Article does not state how to submit this.
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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Frequently asked questions about Article 43 of the Saudi Basic Law of Governance
Can a complaint be brought to the King's majlis?
Article 43 provides that the King's majlis and the Crown Prince's majlis are open to every citizen and to anyone with a complaint or grievance.
Do I have the right to address government bodies directly?
Yes. The Article provides that every individual has the right to address the public authorities regarding matters that concern him.
Does the Article state how to submit a complaint?
No. The Article establishes the right and does not set out the procedures for submitting a complaint or communication.
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يلتزم المقيمون في المملكة العربية السعودية بأنظمتها، وعليهم مراعاة قيم المجتمع السعودي واحترام تقاليده ومشاعره.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.