Article 10 of the Saudi Civil Society Associations Law
المادة 10 من نظام الجمعيات والمؤسسات الأهلية
An association may create branches inside the Kingdom after the Ministry's approval, and its basic regulation sets how the branches are formed, their powers and other provisions.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز للجمعية أن تنشئ لها فروعاً داخل المملكة بعد موافقة الوزارة على ذلك ، وتحدد اللائحة الأساسية طريقة تكوين هذه الفروع واختصاصاتها ، وغير ذلك من الأحكام المتعلقة بها.
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 10 explained in plain English
An association may need to expand geographically to serve other areas. This Article regulates that:
- Permission: an association may create branches for itself.
- Scope: inside the Kingdom only; the text does not speak of branches outside it.
- Condition: after the Ministry's approval.
- Internal organization: the association's basic regulation sets how the branches are formed, their powers and other provisions relating to them.
The practical meaning is that a branch is not an independent entity founded anew but an extension of the association itself, and it is subject to what its basic regulation sets. Founders who expect to expand would therefore do well to include clear provisions on branches in the basic regulation from the start, so they do not need to amend it later.
This Article is linked to Article 9, which sets what the basic regulation must contain, including the geographic scope of the association's services. After it comes Article 11, which sets the association's bodies. The text does not mention the procedures for requesting approval of a branch or how long that takes.
Practical example
A charity in Riyadh that provides food baskets wants to serve families in Jazan. It can create a branch there after the Ministry's approval, and the branch operates according to the way of formation and powers its basic regulation sets.
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 10 of the Saudi Civil Society Associations Law
May a civil society association open branches?
Yes. It may create branches inside the Kingdom after the Ministry's approval.
Who sets the powers of an association's branches?
The association's basic regulation sets how the branches are formed, their powers and other provisions.
More articles on Establishing a Civil Association
- Article 8
An application to create an association is submitted by at least 10 Saudis with its basic regulation; the Ministry must reply within 60 days or approval is deemed given, and the association gains legal personality after approval.
1- يقدم طلب إنشاء الجمعية - مصحوباً بنسخة من اللائحة الأساسية - من عدد لا يقل عن عشرة أشخاص سعوديين من ذوي الصفة الطبيعية أو الاعتبارية ، ويشترط في الشخص ذي الص
- Article 9
The Article lists what an association's basic regulation must contain, including name, purpose, membership, resources, a board term of no more than four years, and rules for dissolution and the destination of its funds.
يجب أن تشمل اللائحة الأساسية البيانات والأحكام الأساسية المتعلقة بالجمعية ، وعلى وجه خاص ما يأتي : 1 - اسم الجمعية ومقرها الرئيس ، والنطاق الجغرافي لخدماتها. 2
- Article 11
A civil society association consists of four bodies: the general assembly, the board of directors, standing committees whose powers are set by their formation decision, and the executive body.
تتكون الجمعية من الأجهزة الآتية : 1 - الجمعية العمومية. 2 - مجلس الإدارة. 3 - اللجان الدائمة التي تكوّنها الجمعية العمومية ، أو مجلس الإدارة ، على أن يحدد اختصا
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.