Article 24 of the Saudi Civil Society Associations Law
المادة 24 من نظام الجمعيات والمؤسسات الأهلية
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 وفقاً لما تقضي به اللائحة.
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 24 explained in plain English
This article protects the association's funds and documents after an administrative decision has been issued concerning it:
- When it applies: when the Minister has issued a decision to temporarily suspend the association's activity, dissolve it, or merge it into another association, the decisions regulated by Article 23.
- Who is bound: those running the association's affairs, such as board members and executive officials.
- What is prohibited:
- Liquidating the association.
- Disposing of its funds.
- Disposing of its documents.
- The exception: except as the Regulations provide.
Why this rule? Because a dissolution or suspension decision may prompt some of those running the association to dispose of its funds quickly, such as by transferring them or selling its assets, or to hide or destroy its documents, before the lawful liquidation procedures are carried out. This article freezes the position and makes any disposal subject to the Regulations.
The text does not set out the liquidation procedures themselves; the Regulations define them. A board member of an association that is the subject of such a decision must refrain from any disposal of its funds beyond what the Regulations allow, and would do well to consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases.
Practical example
A decision was issued temporarily suspending an association in Jazan. The chairman of its board wanted to transfer its bank balance to another association before any procedures had been taken; this is not permitted except as the Regulations provide.
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 24 of the Saudi Civil Society Associations Law
May an association's funds be disposed of after a decision to dissolve it?
Those running its affairs may not liquidate it or dispose of its funds or documents except as the Regulations provide.
Does the rule cover a temporary suspension of activity?
Yes, it covers an association that has been temporarily suspended, dissolved or merged.
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 22
An association may be dissolved voluntarily by decision of the extraordinary general assembly, in accordance with the Law and the articles of association.
يجوز حلُّ الجمعية حلاًّ اختياريًّا بقرار من الجمعية العمومية غير العادية ، وفقاً لأحكام هذا النظام واللائحة الأساسية.
- 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 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.