Article 15 of the Saudi Commercial Books Law
المادة 15 من نظام الدفاتر التجارية
The article requires the Minister of Commerce to issue the regulations and decisions needed to implement the Commercial Books Law.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على وزير التجارة إصدار اللوائح والقرارات اللازمة لتنفيذ هذا 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 assigns to the Minister of Commerce the task of issuing the regulations and decisions needed to implement the Commercial Books Law. The wording "the Minister of Commerce shall" shows that this is a duty on the Minister and not merely a permission.
Why do laws need regulations? A law sets the general rules, while regulations and decisions handle the practical details needed to apply it. This Law contains express references of this kind, including:
- Article 2: the Implementing Regulations set the procedures and rules that ensure the validity and integrity of data recorded by computer.
- Article 7: the books must follow the form set by the Ministry of Commerce.
The practical effect on the merchant:
- The regulations and decisions issued to implement the Law are binding, and violating them is punished under Article 12 by a fine of not less than SAR 5,000 and not more than SAR 50,000.
- It is therefore not enough for a merchant to read the text of the Law alone; they must also look at the regulations and decisions the Minister of Commerce issues.
The article does not state the content of these regulations or when they are to be issued; that is left to what the Minister actually issues. This article comes before Article 16, which sets when the Law takes effect.
To learn which regulations and decisions apply to your business, you can consult a lawyer specializing in commercial and company cases.
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 Commercial Books Law
Who issues the Implementing Regulations of the Commercial Books Law?
The Minister of Commerce, whom the article requires to issue the regulations and decisions needed to implement the Law.
Is violating the implementing decisions punishable?
Yes. Article 12 punishes every violation of the provisions of the Law or of the regulations and decisions issued to implement it.
Does the article state the content of the regulations?
No. The article only assigns their issuance to the Minister of Commerce.
More articles on Keeping Commercial Books
- Article 1
The article requires every merchant to keep regular commercial books in Arabic that show their financial position, at least the original journal, the inventory book and the general ledger, and exempts a merchant whose capital does not exceed SAR 100,000.
يجب على كل تاجر أن يمسك الدفاتر التجارية التي تستلزمها طبيعة تجارته وأهميتها بطريقة تكفل بيان مركزه المالي بدقة، وبيان ما له من حقوق وما عليه من التزامات متعلقة
- Article 2
The article allows establishments and companies that use computers for their accounts to record commercial books data on them, and leaves it to the Implementing Regulations to set rules ensuring the validity and integrity of the data.
يجوز أن تدون البيانات الخاصة بالدفاتر التجارية عن طريق الحاسب الآلي، وذلك بالنسبة للمؤسسات والشركات التي تستخدم الحاسب الآلي في حساباتها، وتحدد اللائحة التنفيذي
- Article 7
The article requires the commercial books provided for in the Law to follow the form set by the Ministry of Commerce and to have numbered pages.
يجب أن تكون الدفاتر المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام وفقا للنموذج الذي تحدده وزارة التجارة على أن تكون صفحات هذه الدفاتر مرقمة.
- Article 14
The article repeals Articles 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the Commercial Court Law issued by Order No. 32 dated 15/1/1350 AH, and every provision that conflicts with the Commercial Books Law.
تلغى أحكام المواد (6 ،7 ،8 ،9 ،10) من نظام المحكمة التجارية الصادرة بالأمر رقم (32) وتاريخ 15 / 1 / 1350 هـ، وكل حكم يتعارض مع أحكام هذا النظام.
- Article 16
The article provides that the Commercial Books Law is published in the Official Gazette and takes effect six months after the date of its publication.
ينشر هذا النظام بالجريدة الرسمية ، ويعمل به بعد ستة أشهر من تاريخ نشره.
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.