Article 22 of the Saudi Civil Society Associations Law
المادة 22 من نظام الجمعيات والمؤسسات الأهلية
An association may be dissolved voluntarily by decision of the extraordinary general assembly, in accordance with the Law and the articles of association.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز حلُّ الجمعية حلاًّ اختياريًّا بقرار من الجمعية العمومية غير العادية ، وفقاً لأحكام هذا النظام واللائحة الأساسية.
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 22 explained in plain English
This article recognizes the right of an association's members to end its existence by their own will, that is, voluntary dissolution:
- The body: the extraordinary general assembly alone; neither the board nor the ordinary general assembly has the power to take this decision.
- The controls: dissolution is in accordance with the provisions of the Law and the association's articles of association.
In practical terms, voluntary dissolution is not an ordinary administrative decision but a fundamental one that goes through the extraordinary general assembly in accordance with the Law and the association's articles of association.
The difference between voluntary and administrative dissolution is important:
- Voluntary (this article): by the will of the members.
- Administrative: by a reasoned decision of the Minister, after warning the association, in specified cases, and regulated by Article 23; among its cases are where the number of members falls below five or the association is unable to meet its financial obligations.
The text does not detail the liquidation procedures themselves. Members who wish to dissolve their association should first review the articles of association and engage a lawyer who specializes in non-profit sector law.
Practical example
The members of a sports association in Khobar concluded that its purpose was no longer achievable. The chairman called an extraordinary general assembly with dissolution of the association on its agenda, and the decision was issued in accordance with the Law and the articles of association.
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 22 of the Saudi Civil Society Associations Law
Who decides on the voluntary dissolution of a civil society association?
The extraordinary general assembly.
Is a board decision enough to dissolve the association?
No. Voluntary dissolution is by decision of the extraordinary general assembly in accordance with the Law and the articles of association.
More articles on Dissolution and Merger of Civil Associations
- Article 15
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.
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 الشاغ
- Article 23
After a warning and by a reasoned decision, the Minister may suspend, dissolve or merge an association in specified cases, such as fewer than five members, departing from its objectives, or financial inability; the Ministry may also suspend or end its contracts.
1- للوزير - بقرار مُسَّببٍ وبعد إنذارها - تعليق نشاط الجمعية مؤقتاً ، أو حلها أو دمجها في جمعية أخرى ، وذلك في إحدى الحالات الآتية : أ - إذا قل عدد أعضائها عن خ
- Article 24
Those running an association that has been suspended, dissolved or merged by the Minister's decision may not liquidate it or dispose of its funds or documents except as the Regulations provide.
لا يجوز للقائمين على شؤون الجمعية التي صدر قرار من الوزير بتعليق نشاطها مؤقتاً أو حلها أو دمجها في جمعية أخرى؛ تصفيتها أو التصرف في أموالها أو مستنداتها ، إلاَّ
- Article 35
The article regulates voluntary dissolution or merger of an organization, the Ministry's powers to protect its funds in the Article 23 cases, the limits on dissolving it, and the requirement of a reasoned decision after a warning.
1- لا يجوز حل المؤسسة اختياريًّا أو دمجها في مؤسسة أخرى إلاَّ بموافقة المؤسس أو المؤسسين ، أو وفقاً لما تقضي به اللائحة الأساسية. 2 - تتخذ الوزارة - في الحالات
- Article 36
If an organization is dissolved under Article 35 and had received state aid or been allowed to collect donations, those funds are disposed of as the Regulations provide.
إذا حلت المؤسسة وفقاً للمادة (الخامسة والثلاثين) وكانت قد حصلت على إعانة من الدولة أو سمح لها بجمع تبرعات ، فيكون التصرف في الأموال المستحصلة من تلك الإعانات أو
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.