Article 7 of the Saudi Shura Council Law
المادة 7 من نظام مجلس الشورى
Article 7 provides that if a Shura Council member's seat becomes vacant for any reason, the King chooses who replaces them and a royal order is issued to that effect.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا خلا محل أحد أعضاء مجلس الشورى لأي سبب، يختار الملك من يحل محله ويصدر بذلك أمر ملكي.
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 7 explained in plain English
This article deals with the case of the seat of a Shura Council member becoming vacant during the Council's term.
The text is general as to the cause of vacancy, saying "for any reason", so it covers every case in which the seat becomes vacant whatever its cause, and is not limited to a particular cause.
The provision of the article is that:
- The King chooses who replaces the member.
- A royal order is issued to that effect.
So filling a vacant seat is not done by election or by nomination from the Council, and it does not pass automatically to a particular person; it rests on the King's choice.
The article sets no particular period for filling the seat and does not state the term of membership of the person replacing the former member, so no provision should be assumed that the text does not contain.
It is preceded by Article 6, which provides for investigating and trying a member who breaches the duties of their work under rules and procedures issued by royal order, and followed by Article 8, which bars a member from exploiting their membership for their own benefit.
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 7 of the Saudi Shura Council Law
What happens if a Shura Council member's seat becomes vacant?
The King chooses who replaces them and a royal order is issued to that effect.
Is a vacant seat filled by election?
No. It is filled by the King's choice by royal order.
More articles on Conditions for Shura Council Membership
- Article 4
Article 4 requires a Shura Council member to be a Saudi national by origin and upbringing, of recognized righteousness and competence, and not less than thirty years old.
يشترط في عضو مجلس الشورى ما يلي: أ - أن يكون سعودي الجنسية بالأصل والمنشأ. ب - أن يكون من المشهود لهم بالصلاح والكفاية. ج - ألا يقل عمره عن ثلاثين سنة.
- Article 5
Article 5 lets a Shura Council member submit a request to be relieved of membership to the Council's president, who must present it to the King.
لعضو مجلس الشورى أن يقدم طلب إعفائه من عضوية المجلس إلى رئيس المجلس ، وعلى الرئيس أن يعرض ذلك على الملك.
- Article 11
Article 11 requires the Shura Council's president, members and secretary general to take a set oath before the King before they begin their work in the Council.
يؤدي رئيس مجلس الشورى ، وأعضاء المجلس، والأمين العام، قبل أن يباشروا أعمالهم في المجلس، أمام الملك، القسم التالي: (أقسم بالله العظيم أن أكون مخلصا لديني، ثم لمل
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.