Article 3 of the Saudi Anti-Corruption Authority Law
المادة 3 من نظام هيئة الرقابة ومكافحة الفساد · الباب الثاني: جهاز الهيئة ومهماته واختصاصاته
The article links the Authority to the King and gives it legal personality and financial and administrative independence, sets its seat in Riyadh with branches permitted, and provides for its impartiality and no interference in its work.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- ترتبط الهيئة بالملك، وتتمتع بالشخصية الاعتبارية والاستقلال المالي والإداري.
2- يكون مقر الهيئة الرئيس في مدينة الرياض، ولها أن تنشئ فروعاً أو مكاتب داخل المملكة بحسب الحاجة.
3- تباشر الهيئة عملها بكل حياد ودون تأثير من أي جهة، وليس لأحد التدخل في عملها.
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 3 explained in plain English
This article sets out the legal status of the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, in three paragraphs:
1. Link and independence:
- The Authority is linked to the King directly.
- It has legal personality, meaning it is an independent legal entity with rights and obligations.
- It has financial and administrative independence.
2. Seat and branches:
- Its main seat is in the city of Riyadh.
- It may establish branches or offices inside the Kingdom as needed.
3. Impartiality and non-interference:
- The Authority carries out its work with complete impartiality and without influence from any party.
- No one may interfere in its work.
These safeguards matter because the Authority oversees public bodies and investigates corruption crimes; if it were subordinate to a body it oversees, its independence would be weakened. Its link to the King and its financial and administrative independence give it the ability to perform its role without pressure.
This article connects to Article 2, which sets out corruption crimes for the purposes of the Law, and to Article 4, which shows that the Authority is concerned with administrative oversight of public bodies, protecting integrity, promoting transparency and combating corruption, and lists its powers for that purpose.
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 3 of the Saudi Anti-Corruption Authority Law
Who is the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority linked to?
It is linked to the King, and has legal personality and financial and administrative independence.
Where is the Nazaha authority based?
Its main seat is in the city of Riyadh, and it may establish branches or offices inside the Kingdom as needed.
May anyone interfere in the Authority's work?
No. The Authority carries out its work with complete impartiality and without influence from any party, and no one may interfere in its work.
More articles on Powers of the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority
- Article 4
The article sets the Authority's mission of administrative oversight of public bodies, protecting integrity and combating corruption, and lists eighteen powers including reports, investigation, seizure and protecting whistleblowers.
تُعنى الهيئة بالرقابة الإدارية على الجهات العامة، وحماية النزاهة وتعزيز الشفافية، ومكافحة الفساد؛ ولها في سبيل ذلك الاختصاصات الآتية: 1- إجراء الرقابة اللازمة ل
- Article 5
The article allows the Authority to request records, documents and information relating to its powers from the bodies it covers, requires the bodies to provide them within the set periods, and binds the Authority to confidentiality rules.
1- للهيئة أن تطلب من الجهات المشمولة باختصاصاتها تزويدها بالسجلات والوثائق والمستندات والمعلومات والبيانات ذات الصلة باختصاصاتها، وعلى تلك الجهات توفير ما يطلب
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.