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Article 6 of the Saudi Civil Defense Law

المادة 6 من نظام الدفاع المدني

The article regulates the Civil Defense Council's meetings and quorum: it meets at least twice a year, and decisions are taken by a majority of those present, with the chairman's side prevailing in a tie.

Official text after amendments (Arabic)

Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.

يجتمع مجلس الدفاع المدني برئاسة رئيسه – أو من ينيبه – مرتين في السنة على الأقل، وكلما دعت الحاجة إلى ذلك، ويكون اجتماع المجلس نظاميًّا بحضور أغلبية أعضائه، وفي الحالات الاستثنائية يكون الاجتماع نظاميًّا بحضور ثلث الأعضاء.

وتُتخذ القرارات بأغلبية أصوات الحاضرين، وعند تساوي الأصوات يرجح الجانب الذي صوت معه رئيس الاجتماع، ولرئيس المجلس تقدير الحالات الاستثنائية

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 6 explained in plain English

This article sets the working rules of the Civil Defense Council, whose composition, chaired by the Minister of Interior, is set out in Article 5.

First: meeting times

  • The Council meets under its chairman or his delegate.
  • It meets at least twice a year, and whenever needed, so the minimum is two meetings and nothing prevents more.

Second: quorum

  • As a rule, a meeting is valid with the presence of a majority of the members.
  • In exceptional cases, the presence of one third of the members is enough.
  • The Council chairman assesses the exceptional cases, meaning he is the one who decides that a case is exceptional.

Third: taking decisions

  • Decisions are taken by a majority of the votes of those present, not a majority of all members.
  • In case of a tie, the side with which the chair of the meeting voted prevails.

The reason for lowering the quorum in exceptional cases is clear in the civil defense context, since disasters or emergencies may occur that require urgent decisions and in which it is not possible to gather a majority of the members.

This text was issued by Royal Decree No. (M/63) dated 13/9/1436 AH. Article 7 is also connected with the Council, which provides for forming a general committee for civil defense work that is organizationally linked to the Council chairman.

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 6 of the Saudi Civil Defense Law

How often does the Civil Defense Council meet each year?

At least twice a year, and whenever needed.

What is the quorum for a Civil Defense Council meeting?

A meeting is valid with the presence of a majority of the members, and in exceptional cases with one third of them, and the Council chairman assesses the exceptional cases.

What happens in the Council in case of a tie?

The side with which the chair of the meeting voted prevails.

Amendment history

  1. Amendment — 13/9/1436 AH

    Official amendment text (Arabic)

    تم تعديل هذه المادة بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم : ( م/ 63 ) وتاريخ 13/ 9 /1436هـ ، لتصبح بالنص الآتي:

    "المادة السادسة:

    يجتمع مجلس الدفاع المدني برئاسة رئيسه – أو من ينيبه – مرتين في السنة على الأقل، وكلما دعت الحاجة إلى ذلك، ويكون اجتماع المجلس نظاميًّا بحضور أغلبية أعضائه، وفي الحالات الاستثنائية يكون الاجتماع نظاميًّا بحضور ثلث الأعضاء.

    وتُتخذ القرارات بأغلبية أصوات الحاضرين، وعند تساوي الأصوات يرجح الجانب الذي صوت معه رئيس الاجتماع، ولرئيس المجلس تقدير الحالات الاستثنائية".

Original text before the amendments (Arabic)

يجتمع مجلس الدفاع المدني برئاسة رئيسه مرتين في السنة على الأقل وكلما دعت الحاجة إلى ذلك، ويكون اجتماع المجلس نظاميا بحضور أغلبية أعضائه، وفي الحالات الاستثنائية يكون الاجتماع نظاميا بحضور ثلث الأعضاء.

وتتخذ القرارات بأغلبية أصوات الحاضرين، وعند تساوي الأصوات يرجح الجانب الذي صوت معه الرئيس، ولرئيس المجلس تقدير الحالات الاستثنائية.

All amendments to this law (Arabic) →

More articles on Civil Defense Council

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.