Article 34 of the Saudi Civil Defense Law

This article specifies the body that has the power to interpret the Civil Defense Law, which is the Council of Ministers. Interpretation means explaining the intended meaning of a provision in the Law if it is unclear or open to more than one understanding, and the interpretation issued by the Council of Ministers is then the reference on that.

Interpretation differs from issuing regulations: Article 33 gives the Civil Defense Council the power to issue the regulations and decisions needed to implement the Law, whereas explaining the meaning of the Law itself when needed is for the Council of Ministers under this article.

The record of amendments attached to this article includes the addition of a new article by Royal Decree No. M/63 dated 13/9/1436 AH, which is Article 34 bis, providing that the Minister of the Interior, Chairman of the Civil Defense Council, may delegate some of the powers given to him in this Law. This addition is a separate article that did not change the text of Article 34, which remained limited to the right of interpretation. The delegation provision means that some of the Minister's powers may be exercised by others whom he delegates, within the limits of what he delegates to them.

This text contains no direct obligations on individuals or facilities, but it makes clear where the resolution of a disagreement about understanding the Law is sought. Anyone facing an unclear provision in the Civil Defense Law that affects his position can consult a lawyer specializing in administrative matters.