Article 137 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
المادة 137 من نظام خدمة الضباط · الفصل الأول: لجنة الضباط العليا
The article bars dispensing with an officer's services as a disciplinary measure, placing him on reserve status for the same reason, or passing him over for promotion when his turn comes, except in accordance with the Law.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز الاستغناء عن خدمات الضابط تأديباً أو إحالته على الاستيداع لنفس السبب أو تخطيه بالترقية عند حلول دوره إلا طبقاً لأحكام هذا النظَام.
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 137 explained in plain English
This article represents an important safeguard for the officer, as it prevents measures that affect his career status outside the framework of the Law. It covers three measures:
- Dispensing with his services as a disciplinary measure.
- Placing him on reserve status for the same reason, that is, the same disciplinary reason.
- Passing him over for promotion when his turn comes.
None of these is permitted except in accordance with the provisions of this Law. These measures are not prohibited absolutely, but they may be taken only on the grounds and by the procedures the Law provides.
This article is connected to Article 136, which makes the deliberations and recommendations of officers' committees confidential, and to Article 138, which regulates an officer's petition to be returned to service or to have his seniority restored, and treats his request as rejected if he is not notified of the committee's decision within 3 months of the date the request reaches it.
An officer who believes he has been passed over for promotion or dispensed with without a basis in the Law would be well advised to consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases to assess his position.
Practical example
Captain Salman's turn for promotion came, but he was not promoted and a more junior colleague was advanced ahead of him. Under this article he may not be passed over when his turn comes except in accordance with the provisions of the Law, so he can ask about the legal basis for that.
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 137 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
May an officer be passed over for promotion?
He may not be passed over for promotion when his turn comes except in accordance with the provisions of the Officers Service Law.
May an officer be dispensed with as a disciplinary measure?
Not except in accordance with the provisions of this Law.
Can an officer be placed on reserve status for the same disciplinary reason?
Not except in accordance with the provisions of this Law.
More articles on Supreme and Branch Officers Committees
- Article 14
The article requires the officer to be informed of the content of an unsatisfactory report and to sign that he has seen it, gives him the right to object to the Officers Committee through his superior within two weeks, and makes the Committee's recommendations final once ratified.
يبلغ الضابط من قبل قائده الذي كتب عنه تقريراً غير مرض بمضمون ذلك التقرير ويوقع بالاطلاع وله الحق في تقديم اعتراضه على كل أو بعض ما ورد بالتقرير إلى لجنة الضباط
- Article 39
The Article provides that officers of all ranks are transferred outside their arm or specialty on the recommendation of the Higher Officers Committee.
يجري نقل الضباط على اختلاف رتبهم خارج السلاح أوالاختصاص بتوصية من لجنة الضباط العليا.
- Article 40Amended (1409 AH)
The Article provides that transfer and confirmation of officers within each force is on the recommendation of the Higher Officers Committee for the rank of lieutenant colonel and above, and by decision of the force commander for major and below.
يجري نقل واثبات الضباط داخل كل قوة بالقوات المسلحة على الوجه الآتي: 1- من رتبة مقدم فما فوق بتوصية من لجنة الضباط العليا. 2- من رتبة رائد فما دون بقرار من قائد
- Article 51
The Article provides that, absent another provision, transfer, appointment, confirmation, attachment and loan under Chapters One and Two of Part Five are by decision of the Minister on the recommendation of the Higher Officers Committee.
فيما لم يرد به نص آخر فإن النقل والتعيين والإثبات والإلحاق والإعارة المنصوص عليها بالفصل الأول والثاني من الباب الخامس من هذا النظَام يتم بقرار من الوزير بناءً
- Article 125
The article lists the matters the Senior Officers Committee considers and makes recommendations on, including appointment, discharge, promotion from major to brigadier general, transfer, secondment and retirement.
تنظر لجنة الضباط العليا وتوصي بالمسائل الآتية : أ- بدء تعيين الضباط بالقوات المسلحة. ب- الاستغناء عن الخدمة والإعادة إليها. ج- منح الأوسمة. د- اختيار أعضاء البع
- Article 126
The article requires the Senior Officers Committee to meet when called by its chairman at least once every fifteen days, with meetings valid when more than half its members attend, including the chairman.
تجتمع اللجنة العليا بدعوة من رئيسها ، ويجب أن تنعقد مرة واحدة كل خمسة عشر يوماً على الأقل وتكون اجتماعاتها نظَامية عند حضور أكثر من نصف أعضائها من بينهم الرئيس.
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.