Article 12 of the Saudi Emergency Law
المادة 12 من نظام الطوارئ · الفصل السابع: أوامر الطوارئ
This article allows royal orders called “emergency orders” to be issued while a state of emergency is declared, containing necessary temporary measures that have the force of laws, to reduce risks, respond to the emergency event and recover from it.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تصدر - عند الاقتضاء - أوامر ملكية باسم (أوامر طوارئ) أثناء إعلان حالة الطوارئ، تتضمن ما يلزم من تدابير وإجراءات ضرورية مؤقتة لها قوة الأنظمة التي تصدر عن السلطة التنظيمية؛ للحد من المخاطر والاستجابة للحدث الطارئ والتعافي منه، وفقًا لما قضت به المادتان (الثانية والستون، والثانية والثمانون) من النظام الأساسي للحكم.
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 12 explained in plain English
This article is the basis of emergency orders, the main instrument through which exceptional measures are taken. Article 1 defines emergency orders as the orders issued under this article.
Characteristics of emergency orders:
- Form: royal orders bearing the name “emergency orders”.
- When issued: while a state of emergency is declared, and when needed; they need not be issued in every state of emergency, but only when the need requires.
- Content: the necessary temporary measures and procedures required.
- Force: they have the force of the laws issued by the regulatory authority.
- Purpose: reducing risks, responding to the emergency event, and recovering from it.
The article provides that this is done in accordance with Articles 62 and 82 of the Basic Law of Governance, without stating the text of those articles.
The practical effect of the description “force of laws” is that these orders are binding as laws are, so entities and individuals must comply with the measures they contain. The description “temporary” means that they are tied to the need to deal with the emergency event as Article 2 defines it.
Article 13 follows, regulating the publication of the royal order declaring a state of emergency and of emergency orders, and exempting from publication emergency orders that state they are classified. Anyone affected by a measure in an emergency order can consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases.
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 12 of the Saudi Emergency Law
What is the force of emergency orders?
By the article's text, they have the force of laws issued by the regulatory authority.
When are emergency orders issued?
When needed, by royal orders, while a state of emergency is declared.
What is the purpose of emergency orders?
Reducing risks, responding to the emergency event and recovering from it, through necessary temporary measures and procedures.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Emergency Orders, Publication and Enforcement
- Article 13
This article requires the royal order declaring a state of emergency and emergency orders to be published through official media and the Official Gazette, allows publication by any means, and exempts orders stated to be classified.
1- يُنشر الأمر الملكي الصادر بإعلان حالة الطوارئ وأوامر الطوارئ من خلال أي من وسائل الإعلام الرسمية، بالإضافة إلى نشره في الجريدة الرسمية. ويجوز وفقًا لمقتضيات
- Article 14
This article makes emergency orders effective from their date of issue unless they set another date, and they end on their stated dates or when the state of emergency ends or is terminated, whichever is earlier.
تكون أوامر الطوارئ نافذة من تاريخ صدورها؛ ما لم يُنص فيها على تاريخ آخر، وينتهي العمل بها في التواريخ المحددة فيها، أو بانتهاء أو إنهاء حالة الطوارئ وفقًا لأحكا
- Article 18
The article requires emergency orders to specify the public bodies tasked with carrying them out and which of those bodies' personnel have judicial police powers.
تُحدَّد في أوامر الطوارئ الجهات العامة المكلَّفة بتنفيذ تلك الأوامر، ويُحدَّد فيها من لهم صفة الضبط الجنائي من منسوبي تلك الجهات.
- Article 19
The article requires those tasked with carrying out emergency orders to take the necessary steps for the safety, security and property of individuals, to reduce the negative impact of measures, and to treat individuals fairly.
على المكلّفين بتنفيذ أوامر الطوارئ اتخاذ كافة الإجراءات اللازمة للتأكد من سلامة الأفراد وأمنهم وسلامة ممتلكاتهم والتخفيف من الأثر السلبي الناشئ عن أي إجراءٍ يُت
- Article 31
The article makes powers conferred or delegated under the Law or emergency orders additional to any other powers conferred by any other law or regulation in force, unless the emergency order provides otherwise.
تُعد الصلاحيات المخولة أو المفوضة لأي شخص بموجب النظام أو أوامر الطوارئ مضافة لأي صلاحية أخرى مخولة إليه بموجب أي نظام أو لائحة أخرى معمول بها، ما لم يُنص على غ
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.