Article 11 of the Saudi Succession Commission Law
المادة 11 من نظام هيئة البيعة
The article regulates the King's inability to exercise his powers for health reasons: a medical report, then a temporary transfer of powers to the Crown Prince, or pledging allegiance to him as King if the condition is permanent.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
في حالة توفر القناعة لدى الهيئة بعدم قدرة الملك على ممارسة سلطاته لأسباب صحية، تقوم الهيئة بتكليف اللجنة الطبية المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام بإعداد تقرير طبي عن الحالة الصحية للملك، فإذا أثبت التقرير الطبي أن عدم قدرة الملك على ممارسة سلطاته تعد حالة مؤقتة، فتقوم الهيئة بإعداد محضر إثبات بذلك وعندئذ تنتقل مباشرة سلطات الملك بصفة مؤقتة إلى ولي العهد لحين شفاء الملك. وعند وصول إخطار كتابي من الملك إلى رئيس الهيئة بأنه قد تجاوز الأسباب الصحية التي لم تمكنه من ممارسة سلطاته، أو عند توفر القناعة لدى الهيئة بذلك، فعليها تكليف اللجنة الطبية المشار إليها بإعداد تقرير طبي عن حالة الملك الصحية، على أن يكون ذلك في مدة لا تتجاوز أربعا وعشرين ساعة. وإذا أثبت التقرير الطبي قدرة الملك على ممارسة سلطاته، فعلى الهيئة إعداد محضر إثبات لذلك، وعندئذ يستأنف الملك ممارسة سلطاته.
أما إذا أثبت التقرير الطبي أن عدم قدرة الملك على ممارسة سلطاته تعد حالة دائمة، فعلى الهيئة إعداد محضر إثبات لذلك، وعندئذ تدعو الهيئة لمبايعة ولي العهد ملكا على البلاد على أن تتم هذه الإجراءات وفقا لهذا النظام والنظام الأساسي للحكم في مدة لا تتجاوز أربعا وعشرين ساعة.
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 11 explained in plain English
This article deals with the case of the King's inability to exercise his powers for health reasons, and sets specific steps for it:
1. The start: If the Commission becomes convinced that the King is unable to exercise his powers for health reasons, it assigns the medical committee provided for in the Law to prepare a medical report on his condition.
2. If the condition is temporary: The Commission prepares an attestation record, and then the King's powers pass directly and temporarily to the Crown Prince until the King recovers.
3. The King's return: When a written notice from the King reaches the chairman of the Commission that he has overcome the health reasons, or when the Commission becomes convinced of that, the Commission assigns the medical committee to prepare a report on his condition within a period not exceeding twenty-four hours. If the report confirms his ability, the Commission prepares an attestation record and the King resumes exercising his powers.
4. If the condition is permanent: The Commission prepares an attestation record, then calls for pledging allegiance to the Crown Prince as King of the country, and these procedures are to be completed in accordance with this Law and the Basic Law of Governance within a period not exceeding twenty-four hours.
It appears that the Law ties each step to a medical report and an official attestation record, to ensure clarity and stability. This case differs from that of Article 12, which deals with the inability of the King and the Crown Prince together, in which the temporary governing council manages the State's affairs. Article 10 regulates the formation of this council from five of the Commission's members and the limits on its powers.
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 11 of the Saudi Succession Commission Law
What happens if the King falls ill and cannot exercise his powers?
The Commission assigns the medical committee to prepare a report; if it confirms the condition is temporary, his powers pass directly and temporarily to the Crown Prince until he recovers.
How does the King resume his powers after recovering?
When he gives written notice to the chairman of the Commission, or the Commission becomes convinced of it, the medical committee is assigned a report within twenty-four hours; if it confirms his ability, the Commission prepares a record and he resumes his powers.
What if the incapacity is permanent?
The Commission prepares an attestation record and calls for pledging allegiance to the Crown Prince as King within a period not exceeding twenty-four hours.
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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.