Article 1 of the Saudi Succession Commission Law
المادة 1 من نظام هيئة البيعة
The article creates the Succession Commission by royal order, and names its members from the sons of the Founding King and those the King appoints, and how a vacant seat is filled.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تكون بأمر ملكي هيئة تسمى (هيئة البيعة)، على النحو الآتي:
1 - أبناء الملك المؤسس عبد العزيز بن عبد الرحمن الفيصل آل سعود.
2 - أحد أبناء كل متوفى، أو معتذر، أو عاجز بموجب تقرير طبي، يعينه الملك من أبناء الملك المؤسس عبد العزيز بن عبد الرحمن الفيصل آل سعود، على أن يكون مشهودا له بالصلاح والكفاية.
3 - اثنان يعينهما الملك أحدهما من أبنائه والآخر من أبناء ولي العهد، على أن يكون مشهودا لهما بالصلاح والكفاية.
وإذا خلا محل أي من أعضاء هيئة البيعة، يعين الملك بديلا عنه وفق الضوابط المشار إليها في الفقرتين (2) و(3) من هذه المادة.
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 1 explained in plain English
This article is the basis for forming the Succession Commission. It provides that the Commission is formed by royal order, and consists of three categories:
- The sons of the Founding King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Faisal Al Saud.
- One of the sons of each son of the Founding King who has died, excused himself or is incapacitated according to a medical report, appointed by the King, provided he is known for righteousness and competence.
- Two appointed by the King: one from his own sons, and the other from the sons of the Crown Prince, on the same condition: righteousness and competence.
The article also deals with the case of a vacant seat: if the place of any member becomes vacant, the King appoints a replacement in accordance with the controls set out in paragraphs 2 and 3. Representation of the branches of the family in the Commission is thus maintained.
The article shows that the Commission combines membership by virtue of direct descent from the Founding King with membership by appointment of those who represent the branches, with righteousness and competence required of those appointed.
Article 2 complements this provision by stating that the Commission exercises its assigned tasks in accordance with this Law and the Basic Law of Governance.
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 1 of the Saudi Succession Commission Law
Who are the members of the Succession Commission?
The sons of the Founding King Abdulaziz, one of the sons of each of them who has died, excused himself or is incapacitated, appointed by the King, and two appointed by the King, one from his own sons and the other from the sons of the Crown Prince.
What is the condition for a member the King appoints?
That he be known for righteousness and competence.
What happens if a seat in the Succession Commission becomes vacant?
The King appoints a replacement in accordance with the controls referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 of the article.
More articles on Formation of the Succession Commission
- Article 2
The article provides that the Succession Commission exercises its tasks in accordance with the Succession Commission Law and the Basic Law of Governance.
تمارس الهيئة المهام المنوطة بها وفقا لهذا النظام والنظام الأساسي للحكم.
- Article 3
The article binds the Succession Commission to the Book of God, the Sunnah of His Messenger, preserving the entity of the State, the unity and cooperation of the ruling family, national unity and the interests of the people.
تلتزم الهيئة بكتاب الله تعالى، وسنة رسوله محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم، والمحافظة على كيان الدولة، وعلى وحدة الأسرة المالكة، وتعاونها، وعدم تفرقها، وعلى الوحدة الوطن
- Article 4
The article sets the Succession Commission's seat in Riyadh and its meetings in the Royal Court, and, with the King's approval, allows meetings at other Royal Court premises or a place the King determines.
مقر الهيئة في مدينة الرياض، وتعقد اجتماعاتها في الديوان الملكي ، ويجوز بموافقة الملك عقد اجتماعاتها في أحد مقار الديوان الملكي داخل المملكة، أو أي مكان آخر يحدد
- Article 5
The article requires the chairman, members and Secretary General of the Succession Commission to take a prescribed oath before the King before they start their work in the Commission.
يؤدي رئيس وأعضاء الهيئة وأمينها العام قبل أن يباشروا أعمالهم في الهيئة أمام الملك القسم التالي: (أقسم بالله العظيم أن أكون مخلصا لديني، ثم لمليكي وبلادي، وألا أ
- Article 25
The article requires a royal order, after the approval of the Succession Commission, to amend the provisions of the Succession Commission Law.
يتم تعديل أحكام هذا النظام بأمر ملكي بعد موافقة هيئة البيعة.
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.