Article 37 of the Saudi Civil Society Associations Law
المادة 37 من نظام الجمعيات والمؤسسات الأهلية
The provisions of the Law on associations apply to organizations where there is no special provision, except the provisions on public benefit associations and on government aid.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تسري على المؤسسات فيما لم يرد في شأنه نص خاص ، الأحكام الواردة في هذا النظام المتعلقة بالجمعيات ، وذلك باستثناء الأحكام الخاصة بجمعيات النفع العام ، وما يتعلق بالأحكام الخاصة بالإعانات الحكومية.
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 37 explained in plain English
This article is a "referral" rule that fills a gap in regulating civil society organizations. The Law gave organizations some provisions of their own, among them Article 36's rule on disposal of aid and donations when an organization is dissolved. Whatever no special provision on organizations covers is governed by the provisions of the Law relating to associations.
But the article expressly excludes two matters that do not carry over to organizations:
- The provisions specific to public benefit associations, so an organization is not treated as a public benefit association merely because of this referral.
- The provisions on government aid, so the rules on aid to associations are not applied to organizations through this article.
In practice, if those running a civil society organization face a question the Law does not address in its provisions on organizations, they should first look for a special provision on organizations and, if they find none, turn to the provisions on associations, unless the question falls under the provisions on public benefit associations or government aid.
This article does not mean that an organization is an association; the Law distinguishes between them in the definitions. It means that the provisions on associations are used where there is no text.
If you have a specific case concerning an organization or association, it is best to consult a lawyer who specializes in non-profit sector and civil society association law.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCommercial & Corporate Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Commercial & Corporate Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 37 of the Saudi Civil Society Associations Law
Do the provisions on associations apply to civil society organizations?
Yes, in matters not covered by a special provision on organizations.
Which provisions do not apply to organizations?
The provisions specific to public benefit associations, and the provisions on government aid.
More articles on Civil Organizations and the Board of Trustees
- Article 29
This article gives the sources of a civil society organization's resources, the funds, endowments, gifts and bequests allocated by its founder or founders, and allows it to receive donations after Ministry approval.
تتكون موارد المؤسسة مما يخصصه لها المؤسس أو المؤسسون من أموال ، أو أوقاف ، أو هبات ، أو وصايا ، ويجوز لها استقبال التبرعات بعد موافقة الوزارة.
- Article 30
This article lists the details the organization's articles of association must contain: name, area and headquarters, founders, purpose, voluntary dissolution cases, allocated funds and their fate on dissolution, and rules on the board of trustees and executive officer.
يجب أن تشمل اللائحة الأساسية للمؤسسة البيانات الآتية : 1 - اسم المؤسسة ، ونطاق عملها الجغرافي ، ومقرها الرئيس. 2 - اسم المؤسس أو أسماء المؤسسين ، وبياناتهم الشخ
- Article 31
Every organization must have a board of trustees of at least three members, appointed by the founder or founders or whoever the articles of association designate; the Ministry is notified of appointments and changes, and steps in if a replacement cannot be appointed.
يكون لكل مؤسسة مجلس أمناء من ثلاثة أعضاء على الأقل يعينهم المؤسس أو المؤسسون أو من يعهد إليه بذلك بموجب اللائحة الأساسية ، وتبلغ الوزارة بالتعيين ، وبكل تعديل ي
- Article 32
The board of trustees manages the organization under the Law, the Regulations and the articles of association, and its chairman represents it before the courts and others, and may delegate this with the board's approval.
يتولى مجلس الأمناء إدارة المؤسسة وفقاً لأحكام النظام واللائحة واللائحة الأساسية ، ويمثلها رئيس المجلس أمام القضاء وأمام غيره ، ولرئيس المجلس بعد موافقة مجلس الأ
- Article 33
A civil society organization must have an annual budget and a final account, though with the Ministry's approval a statement of revenues, expenses and spending of funds may suffice in place of the final account.
تكون للمؤسـسة ميزانية سنوية ، وحساب ختامي ، ويجوز - بعد موافقة الوزارة - أن يكتفى عنه ببيان يتضمن إيراداتها ومصروفاتها ، وأوجه إنفاق أموالها بحسب طبيعة المال ال
- Article 34
The Ministry must keep a special register of civil society organizations; the Regulations set its provisions, the registration procedures and the details to be recorded.
تُعِد الوزارة سجلاًّ خاصًّا بالمؤسسات ، وتحدد اللائحة الأحكام المتعلقة بهذا السجل ، وإجراءات التسجيل فيه ، والبيانات اللازم تسجيلها.
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.