Article 15 of the Saudi Civil Society Associations Law
المادة 15 من نظام الجمعيات والمؤسسات الأهلية
The extraordinary general assembly decides board members' resignation and removal and fills vacancies, cancels board decisions, proposes merger, approves amending the basic regulation and voluntary dissolution.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تختص الجمعية العمومية غير العادية بالنظر في المسائل الآتية :
1 - البت في استقالة أي من أعضاء مجلس الإدارة ، أو إسقاط العضوية عنه ، وانتخاب من يشغل المراكز الشاغرة في عضوية مجلس الإدارة.
2 - إلغاء ما تراه من قرارات مجلس الإدارة.
3 - اقتراح اندماج الجمعية في جمعية أخرى.
4 - إقرار تعديل اللائحة الأساسية.
5 - حل الجمعية اختياريًّا.
ولا تكون قرارات الجمعية العمومية غير العادية الصادرة في شأن الاختصاصات الواردة في الفقرات (3) و(4) و(5) نافذة إلا بعد استكمال الإجراءات اللازمة وفقاً لأحكام النظام.
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 15 explained in plain English
This Article sets the powers of the extraordinary general assembly, the fundamental matters in an association's life:
- Deciding the resignation of any board member or removing his membership, and electing those who fill vacant positions.
- Canceling any board decisions it sees fit; it is therefore an oversight body over the board.
- Proposing the merger of the association into another association.
- Approving amendment of the basic regulation.
- Voluntary dissolution of the association.
An important restriction: its decisions on merger, amending the basic regulation and voluntary dissolution (paragraphs 3, 4 and 5) take effect only after the necessary procedures are completed under the Law. The general assembly's decision alone is not enough to complete these steps; their legal procedures must be completed.
Note that the ordinary general assembly is competent to elect the whole board of directors under Article 14, while filling vacant positions during the term is for the extraordinary one. After it comes Article 16, which bars the general assembly from considering matters not on its agenda. Anyone who needs to go ahead with merger or dissolution procedures should consult a lawyer who specializes in non-profit sector law.
Practical example
The board of directors of an association in Taif decided to sell one of its assets, and a number of members believe the decision harms the association. The extraordinary general assembly, if convened under the provisions, can cancel this decision.
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 15 of the Saudi Civil Society Associations Law
Who decides to amend an association's basic regulation?
The extraordinary general assembly approves the amendment, and it takes effect only after the legal procedures are completed.
Can an association's board decision be canceled?
Yes. The extraordinary general assembly is competent to cancel any board decisions it sees fit.
Does a decision to dissolve the association take effect as soon as it is made?
No. It takes effect only after the necessary procedures are completed under the provisions of the Law.
More articles on General Assembly of a Civil Association
- Article 13
The general assembly consists of the founders and members of at least six months' standing, is called 15 days ahead, meets in ordinary session within the first four months of the year, and members may not vote on matters of personal interest.
1- تتكون الجمعية العمومية من الأعضاء المؤسسين والأعضاء الذين مضت على عضويتهم في الجمعية ستة أشهر على الأقل ، بشرط تسديد رسوم العضوية إن وجدت. 2 - تعقد الجمعية ا
- Article 14
The ordinary general assembly approves financial statements and the budget, discusses the board's report, approves the investment plan, elects the board and discharges the previous one, and appoints the auditor.
تختص الجمعية العمومية العادية بالآتي : 1 - دراسة تقرير مراجع الحسابات عن القوائم المالية للسنة المالية المنتهية ، واعتمادها بعد مناقشتها. 2 - إقرار مشروع الميزا
- Article 16
The Article bars the ordinary and extraordinary general assemblies from considering any matters not on their agenda.
لا يجوز للجمعية العمومية (العادية أو غير العادية) أن تنظر في مسائل غير مدرجة في جدول أعمالها.
- Article 17
A general assembly meeting is valid if more than half of the members attend; otherwise it is postponed to a date between one hour and 15 days later. Ordinary assembly decisions pass by a majority of those present, extraordinary ones by two-thirds.
1- يعد اجتماع الجمعية العمومية (العادية أو غير العادية) صحيحاً إذا حضره أكثر من نصف أعضائها ، فإن لم يتحقق ذلك أُجّل الاجتماع إلى موعد آخر يعقد خلال مدة أقلها س
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.