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Article 23 of the Saudi Council of Ministers Law

المادة 23 من نظام مجلس الوزراء

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.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

يجب نشر جميع المراسيم في الجريدة الرسمية، وتكون نافذة المفعول من تاريخ نشرها ما لم ينص على تاريخ آخر.

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 23 explained in plain English

This article sets two important rules for anyone who wants to know when a provision issued by decree begins to apply:

First: the duty to publish. All decrees must be published in the Official Gazette. The text is general and exempts no decree from publication.

Second: the effective date.

  • The rule: decrees are effective from the date of their publication.
  • The exception: if the decree specifies another date, that date governs.

This article has direct practical effect: someone who wants to know when he must comply with a new law or amendment first looks at whether the decree specified a date for it to apply, and if not, the date of publication in the Official Gazette governs. If the decree specifies a period after publication or a particular date for it to apply, that is the "other date" the text allows.

The article does not set out the publication procedures, so the provision stands as it reads.

This article follows Article 22, which gives a minister the right to propose draft laws and regulations concerning his ministry. Anyone who wants to know the date a law takes effect for a particular contract or event may consult a lawyer specializing in the field of that law.

Practical example

A royal decree was issued amending a law affecting the business of a company in Jeddah, and it was published in the Official Gazette. The decree did not specify another date for it to apply, so it is effective from the date of its publication under Article 23. Had it provided for it to apply after a period from publication, that date would have governed.

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 23 of the Saudi Council of Ministers Law

When does a royal decree take effect?

It is effective from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, unless another date is specified.

Must all decrees be published?

Yes, Article 23 requires all decrees to be published in the Official Gazette.

Can a law start applying after its publication date?

Yes, if the decree specifies another date for it to take effect, that date governs.

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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.