Article 13 of the Saudi Shura Council Law
المادة 13 من نظام مجلس الشورى
Article 13 sets the Shura Council's term at four Hijri years, requires the new Council to be formed at least two months before the old one ends, and renewal of at least half the members.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مدة مجلس الشورى ، أربع سنوات هجرية، تبدأ من التاريخ المحدد في الأمر الملكي الصادر بتكوينه. ويتم تكوين المجلس الجديد قبل انتهاء مدة سلفه بشهرين على الأقل. وفي حالة انتهاء المدة قبل تكوين المجلس الجديد يستمر المجلس السابق في أداء عمله حتى يتم تكوين المجلس الجديد، ويراعى عند تكوين المجلس الجديد اختيار أعضاء جدد لا يقل عددهم عن نصف عدد أعضاء المجلس.
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 13 explained in plain English
This article regulates the term of the Shura Council and how the transition from one Council to the next takes place.
- The term: four Hijri years, starting from the date specified in the royal order forming the Council.
- When the new Council is formed: before the end of the previous Council's term by at least two months.
- If the term ends before the new Council is formed: the previous Council continues its work until the new Council is formed, so no vacuum arises.
- Renewal: in forming the new Council, care is taken to choose new members whose number is not less than half the number of the Council's members.
The renewal requirement means that some former members may be chosen again, provided at least half the members are new.
This arrangement ensures two things: continuity of the Council's work without interruption, and renewal of its membership in each term, allowing new expertise to come in.
It is followed by Article 14, which provides that the King, or the person he delegates, delivers a royal speech in the Council each year covering the State's domestic and foreign policy.
Practical example
A royal order was issued forming a new Shura Council three months before the end of the previous term. This is consistent with the article, as it requires formation at least two months before the end, and at least half the members must not be members of the previous Council.
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 13 of the Saudi Shura Council Law
How long is the term of the Shura Council?
Four Hijri years, starting from the date specified in the royal order forming it.
What happens if the Council's term ends before a new Council is formed?
The previous Council continues its work until the new Council is formed.
May members of the previous Council be chosen again?
Yes, but the number of new members must be not less than half the number of the Council's members.
More articles on Formation and Term of the Shura Council
- Article 1
Article 1 establishes the Shura Council on the principle of consultation in the Quran and Sunnah, to exercise its tasks under this Law and the Basic Law of Governance.
عملا بقول الله تعالى: [فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ لِنْتَ لَهُمْ وَلَوْ كُنْتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْف
- Article 2
Article 2 sets the principles on which the Shura Council rests: holding fast to the rope of God, adherence to the sources of Islamic legislation, and members' concern for the public good.
يقوم مجلس الشورى على الاعتصام بحبل الله، والالتزام بمصادر التشريع الإسلامي، ويحرص أعضاء المجلس على خدمة الصالح العام، والحفاظ على وحدة الجماعة وكيان الدولة، ومص
- Article 3Amended by A/44
Article 3 provides that the Shura Council consists of a president and 150 members chosen by the King, with women's representation of no less than 20% of the members.
يتكون مجلس الشورى من رئيس ومائة وخمسين عضواً، يختارهم الملك، من أهل العلم والخبرة والاختصاص، على ألا يقل تمثيل المرأة فيه عن (20%) من عدد الأعضاء، وتحدد حقوق ال
- Article 12
Article 12 sets the seat of the Shura Council in the city of Riyadh, and allows it to meet elsewhere within the Kingdom if the King sees fit.
مقر مجلس الشورى ، هو مدينة الرياض. ويجوز اجتماع المجلس في جهة أخرى داخل المملكة، إذا رأى الملك ذلك.
- Article 14
Article 14 provides that the King, or the person he delegates, delivers a royal speech in the Shura Council each year covering the State's domestic and foreign policy.
يلقي الملك أو من ينيبه، في مجلس الشورى ، كل سنة خطابا ملكيا، يتضمن سياسة الدولة الداخلية والخارجية.
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.