Article 17 of the Saudi Council of Ministers Law
المادة 17 من نظام مجلس الوزراء
Article 17 provides that Council members are tried for violations in their official work under a special law that sets out the violations, the procedures for accusation and trial, and how the court panel is formed.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يحاكم أعضاء مجلس الوزراء عن المخالفات التي يرتكبونها في أعمالهم الرسمية بموجب نظام خاص يتضمن بيان المخالفات وتحديد إجراءات الاتهام والمحاكمة وكيفية تأليف هيئة المحكمة.
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 17 explained in plain English
This article establishes the principle of accountability of Council of Ministers members, and refers its details to a special law:
- Who is tried: members of the Council of Ministers.
- For what: violations they commit in their official work.
- By what instrument: under a special law.
The article specifies what that special law must contain, which is three things:
- A statement of the violations.
- The procedures for accusation and trial.
- How the court panel is formed.
This means the article does not itself define what the violations, penalties or procedures are, but leaves that to the special law, which should be consulted for the details. The scope of the article is violations committed in official work; it does not address what a member does outside his official work.
This article follows Article 16, which makes the Council's deliberations secret and its decisions public as a rule, and precedes Article 18, which allows the Council to form committees from its members or others to examine a matter on its agenda.
Anyone concerned with a matter relating to the accountability of a government official should consult a lawyer specializing in criminal or administrative 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 17 of the Saudi Council of Ministers Law
Are ministers tried in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, Article 17 provides that members of the Council of Ministers are tried for violations they commit in their official work under a special law.
Where are ministers' violations and trial procedures set out?
In a special law that sets out the violations, the procedures for accusation and trial, and how the court panel is formed.
Does Article 17 set penalties for ministers?
No, it refers that to the special law and does not mention penalties.
More articles on Conditions and Duties of Council Membership
- Article 3
Article 3 requires a Council member to be Saudi by origin and birth, known for righteousness and competence, and not sentenced for a crime involving breach of religion or honor.
يشترط في عضو مجلس الوزراء ما يلي: أ - أن يكون سعودي الجنسية بالأصل والمنشأ. ب - أن يكون من المشهود لهم بالصلاح والكفاية. ج - أن لا يكون محكوما عليه بجريمة مخلة
- Article 4
Article 4 bars Council members from starting work before taking a set oath of loyalty to the religion, the King and the country, and of keeping State secrets.
لا يباشر أعضاء مجلس الوزراء أعمالهم إلا بعد أداء اليمين الآتية: "أقسم بالله العظيم أن أكون مخلصا لديني، ثم لمليكي، وبلادي، وأن لا أبوح بسر من أسرار الدولة، وأن
- Article 5
Article 5 bars combining membership of the Council of Ministers with any other government post unless the Prime Minister considers necessity requires it.
لا يجوز الجمع بين عضوية مجلس الوزراء وأية وظيفة حكومية أخرى، إلا إذا رأى رئيس مجلس الوزراء أن الضرورة تدعو إلى ذلك.
- Article 6
Article 6 bars a Council member, during membership, from buying or leasing State property, from selling or leasing his own property to the Government, and from commercial or financial activity or company board membership.
لا يجوز لعضو مجلس الوزراء أثناء تولية العضوية أن يشتري أو يستأجر مباشرة أو بالواسطة أو بالمزاد العام أيا كان من أملاك الدولة، كما لا يجوز له بيع أو إيجار أي شيء
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.