Article 15 of the Saudi Succession Commission Law
المادة 15 من نظام هيئة البيعة
The article gives the chair of the Succession Commission to the eldest of the sons of the Founding King in age, deputized by the next in age of his brothers, and then the eldest of the sons of the sons.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يرأس الهيئة أكبر الأعضاء سنا من أبناء الملك المؤسس عبد العزيز بن عبد الرحمن الفيصل آل سعود، وينوب عنه الذي يليه في السن من إخوته، وفي حالة عدم وجود أي منهم يرأس الاجتماع أكبر الأعضاء سنا من أبناء الأبناء في الهيئة.
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 15 explained in plain English
This article determines who chairs the Succession Commission by the criterion of age, in a clear order:
- The chairman: the eldest member in age from among the sons of the Founding King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Faisal Al Saud.
- The deputy: the next in age of his brothers, that is, also from the sons of the Founding King.
- If none of them is present: the meeting is chaired by the eldest member in age from the sons of the sons on the Commission.
In this way the article avoids any dispute over chairing the Commission, because the criterion is objective, namely age, with the sons of the Founding King given precedence over the sons of the sons. It also ensures that the Commission's work is not disrupted if the chairman is absent or none of the sons of the Founding King is present, as the chair passes automatically in the set order.
This article is linked to Article 14, which regulates the medical committee that issues the medical reports referred to in the Law, and to Article 16, which provides that the Commission's meetings are confidential, are held with the King's approval, and are attended only by its members, its Secretary General and whoever records its deliberations after the King's approval.
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 15 of the Saudi Succession Commission Law
Who chairs the Succession Commission?
The eldest member in age of the sons of the Founding King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Faisal Al Saud.
Who deputizes for the chairman of the Succession Commission?
The next in age of his brothers.
Who chairs the meeting if none of the sons of the Founding King is present?
The eldest member in age of the sons of the sons on the Commission.
More articles on Commission Meetings and Decisions
- 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 16
The article makes the Succession Commission's meetings confidential, held with the King's approval and attended only by members, the Secretary General and the recorder of deliberations, with others allowed to be invited to clarify without a vote.
اجتماعات الهيئة سرية، وتعقد اجتماعاتها بناء على موافقة الملك، ولا يحضرها إلا أعضاؤها وأمينها العام إضافة إلى من يتولى ضبط مداولات اجتماعاتها بعد موافقة الملك. و
- Article 17
The article makes the chairman of the Succession Commission responsible for calling its meetings in the cases provided for in Articles 6, 11, 12 and 13 of the Law.
يتولى رئيس الهيئة الدعوة لاجتماعاتها في الحالات المنصوص عليها في المواد السادسة، والحادية عشرة، والثانية عشرة، والثالثة عشرة من هذا النظام.
- Article 18
The article requires Succession Commission members to attend meetings, to notify the chairman in writing if absent, and not to leave permanently before the meeting ends without its chair's permission.
يجب على أعضاء الهيئة الالتزام بحضور اجتماعات الهيئة وعلى العضو الذي يطرأ ما يستوجب غيابه عن أحد اجتماعات الهيئة أن يخطر رئيس الهيئة كتابة بذلك، ولا يجوز لأي عضو
- Article 19
The article sets the powers of the chair of a Succession Commission session in running meetings, and allows a subject not on the agenda to be discussed with the approval of ten members.
يفتتح رئيس الجلسة الاجتماعات، ويعلن انتهاءها، ويدير المناقشات ويأذن بالكلام، ويحدد موضوع البحث، وينهي المناقشة، ويطرح الموضوعات للتصويت. ويجوز بموافقة عشرة من أ
- Article 20
The article requires two-thirds of the Succession Commission's members, including the chairman, for a valid meeting, with decisions by a majority of those present and a reduced quorum for emergencies.
لا يكون اجتماع الهيئة نظاميا إلا بحضور ثلثي أعضائها على الأقل بمن فيهم رئيس الهيئة أو من ينوب عنه. ومع مراعاة ما ورد في المادة السابعة تصدر قراراتها بموافقة أغل
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.