Article 20 of the Saudi Council of Ministers Law
المادة 20 من نظام مجلس الوزراء
Article 20 states that laws, treaties, international agreements and concessions are issued and amended by royal decrees after being studied by the Council of Ministers, subject to the Shura Council Law.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع مراعاة ما ورد في نظام مجلس الشورى، تصدر الأنظمة، والمعاهدات، والاتفاقيات الدولية والامتيازات، وتعدل بموجب مراسيم ملكية بعد دراستها من مجلس الوزراء.
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 20 explained in plain English
This article sets the instrument by which the State's most important legal instruments are issued, and they pass through the Council of Ministers:
What the provision covers:
- Laws.
- Treaties.
- International agreements.
- Concessions.
Method of issuing and amending: these instruments are issued and amended by royal decrees, after being studied by the Council of Ministers. The study in the Council is thus a stage before the decree is issued.
The article begins with a qualification: subject to what is stated in the Shura Council Law, meaning that this route is followed within the limits set by that law. The text of the Shura Council Law is not set out here, so its role is not detailed from this article.
The article matters to the reader because it explains why Saudi laws are issued by royal decrees, and that amendment follows the same route as issuance. It is linked to Article 19, which makes the Council draw up the State's general policy in all fields and oversee its implementation, subject to the Basic Law of Governance and the Shura Council Law, and to Article 21, which states that the Council studies draft laws and regulations and votes on them article by article and then as a whole, under the procedures set out in its internal rules.
Practical example
Khalid read in the preamble of a Saudi law that it was issued by royal decree, and that a later amendment was also issued by royal decree. Article 20 explains that laws are issued and amended by royal decrees after being studied by the Council of Ministers, subject to the Shura Council 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 contentAdministrative Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Administrative Law (Board of Grievances) lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Al-Safwa Law Office and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 20 of the Saudi Council of Ministers Law
How are laws issued in Saudi Arabia?
They are issued by royal decrees after being studied by the Council of Ministers, subject to what is stated in the Shura Council Law.
Does amending laws require a royal decree?
Yes, Article 20 provides that laws are issued and amended by royal decrees.
How are treaties and international agreements issued?
By royal decrees after being studied by the Council of Ministers, subject to the Shura Council Law.
More articles on Regulatory Powers of the Council of Ministers
- Article 19
Article 19 states that the Council of Ministers draws up State policy in all fields and oversees its implementation, considers Shura Council resolutions, and holds executive authority and financial and administrative authority over government bodies.
مع مراعاة ما ورد في النظام الأساسي للحكم ونظام مجلس الشورى يرسم مجلس الوزراء السياسة الداخلية والخارجية والمالية والاقتصادية والتعليمية والدفاعية وجميع الشؤون ا
- Article 21
Article 21 provides that the Council of Ministers studies draft laws and regulations and votes on them article by article and then as a whole, under the procedures in its internal rules.
يدرس مجلس الوزراء مشروعات الأنظمة واللوائح المعروضة عليه ويصوت عليها مادة مادة ثم يصوت عليها بالجملة وذلك حسب الإجراءات المرسومة في النظام الداخلي للمجلس.
- Article 22
Article 22 gives every minister the right to propose a draft law or regulation concerning his ministry's work, and lets every member propose what he sees as worth discussing in the Council with the Prime Minister's approval.
لكل وزير الحق بأن يقترح مشروع نظام أو لائحة يتعلق بأعمال وزارته. كما يحق لكل عضو من أعضاء مجلس الوزراء أن يقترح ما يرى مصلحة من بحثه في المجلس بعد موافقة رئيس م
- Article 23
Article 23 requires all decrees to be published in the Official Gazette and makes them effective from the date of publication unless another date is specified.
يجب نشر جميع المراسيم في الجريدة الرسمية، وتكون نافذة المفعول من تاريخ نشرها ما لم ينص على تاريخ آخر.
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.