Article 66 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
المادة 66 من نظام خدمة الأفراد · الفصل السادس عشر: أحكام عامة وانتقالية
The article permits the Minister, by decision, in war and emergency, not to be bound by one or more paragraphs of Articles 56, 57 and 58 of the Law.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز بقرار من الوزير في حالة الحرب والطوارئ عدم التقيد بفقرة أو أكثر كما جاء في المواد (58،57،56) من 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 66 explained in plain English
This article gives the Minister an exceptional power tied to a specific circumstance, and its elements are:
- The circumstance: a state of war and emergency.
- The instrument: a decision of the Minister.
- The content: not being bound by one or more paragraphs of what is stated in Articles 56, 57 and 58 of the Law.
This means that some or more of the provisions in those three articles can be set aside in a state of war and emergency, if a decision to that effect is issued by the Minister. The text should not be understood to mean the exception arises automatically upon the existence of war or emergency; a decision of the Minister must be issued.
The exception is also limited to the three articles mentioned, so under this article it does not extend to other articles of the Law. Under Article 2, the Minister is the competent minister or the head of the body to which the member belongs, each for the military organization he heads.
This article contains no definition of a state of war and emergency, and no period for the Minister's decision to apply. The article uses the word "may," so it is a discretionary power of the Minister.
Anyone whose position is affected by a decision issued on the basis of this article who wants to know its limits may consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases and military service matters.
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 66 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
May some provisions of the Enlisted Personnel Service Law be set aside in war?
Yes. By decision of the Minister, in a state of war and emergency it is permitted not to be bound by one or more paragraphs of Articles 56, 57 and 58.
Does the exception cover all articles of the Law?
No. The article limits it to Articles 56, 57 and 58.
Articles this article refers to
- Article 56Amended (1424 AH)
تعتبر خدمات الفرد منتهية لاحد الأسباب التالية: أ- الاستغناء عن خدماته حسب مقتضيات مصلحة العمل. ب- الإحالة على التقاعد. ج- الطرد من الخدمة بناء على قرار عسكري. د
- Article 57
The article permits re-enlistment of a member when needed if he is at least two years under retirement age and meets the conditions of Article 4 except age, with a limit for those dismissed for absence.
أ- تجوز إعادة الفرد للخدمة إذا دعت الحاجة إلى ذلك وكانت سنه تقل عن سن الإحالة على التقاعد بسنتين على الأقل. ب- يجب أن تتوفر في الفرد المعاد للخدمة الشروط الوارد
- Article 58Amended (1411 AH)
أ- إذا أعيد الفرد للخدمة –ماعدا الفني- ولم تتجاوز مدة تركه الخدمة سنه كاملة فيعاد براتبه وبرتبته السابقة وتعطى له بدلاتها وعلاواتها فإذا زادت عن سنة ولم تتجاوز
More articles on Ending Personnel Service and Reinstatement
- Article 7
The article obliges an enlisted person to remain in service for four years after his appointment; after that his service may be ended at his request unless the circumstances of military work require him to stay.
يلزم الفرد بعد تعيينه البقاء في الخدمة لمدة أربع سنوات ويجوز بعدها انهاء خدمته بناء على طلبه ما لم تقضى ظروف العمل العسكري ببقائه.
- Article 54
The article allows an enlisted member, without prejudice to Articles 6 and 7, to request the end of his service by a written request to his direct superior stating his wish to leave the service, and the Minister may accept or refuse it.
بدون اخلال بما ورد في المادتين 7,6 للفرد ان يطلب انهاء خدمته عن طريق طلب مكتوب يتقدمه الى مرجعه المباشر يبدى فيه رغبته في ترك الخدمة العسكرية وللوزير قبول طلبه
- Article 55
The article requires the enlisted member to continue performing his duties until he is notified of the decision accepting the end of his service, and bars acceptance of his request if he has been referred to a military trial until after the trial ends.
على الفرد ان يستمر في أداء واجباته الى أن يبلغ بالقرار الصادر بقبول انهاء خدماته ولا يقبل طلب الفرد إذا كان محالا لمحاكمه عسكريه الابعد انتهاء محاكمته.
- Article 57
The article permits re-enlistment of a member when needed if he is at least two years under retirement age and meets the conditions of Article 4 except age, with a limit for those dismissed for absence.
أ- تجوز إعادة الفرد للخدمة إذا دعت الحاجة إلى ذلك وكانت سنه تقل عن سن الإحالة على التقاعد بسنتين على الأقل. ب- يجب أن تتوفر في الفرد المعاد للخدمة الشروط الوارد
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.