Article 19 of the Saudi Succession Commission Law
المادة 19 من نظام هيئة البيعة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يفتتح رئيس الجلسة الاجتماعات، ويعلن انتهاءها، ويدير المناقشات ويأذن بالكلام، ويحدد موضوع البحث، وينهي المناقشة، ويطرح الموضوعات للتصويت.
ويجوز بموافقة عشرة من أعضاء الهيئة مناقشة أي موضوع غير مدرج في جدول الأعمال.
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 19 explained in plain English
This article regulates the running of sessions within the Succession Commission. The chair of the session has the following powers:
- Opening the meetings and declaring their end.
- Managing the discussions and giving permission to speak.
- Determining the subject of discussion.
- Ending the discussion.
- Putting matters to a vote.
Subjects not on the agenda: the rule is that the Commission discusses what is on its agenda, but the article allows any subject not on the agenda to be discussed on condition of the approval of ten members of the Commission.
The article thus combines two things: control of the session is in the hands of its chair so that the discussion proceeds in an orderly way, and a degree of flexibility is allowed for members to add a new subject if a set number of them approve it.
This article is linked to Article 18, which requires members to attend and does not allow permanent departure before the end of the meeting except with permission of its chair, and to Article 20, which requires for the validity of a meeting the attendance of at least two-thirds of the members, including the chairman of the Commission or his deputy, and regulates the majority for issuing decisions.
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 19 of the Saudi Succession Commission Law
Who runs the Succession Commission's sessions?
The chair of the session, who opens it, declares its end, manages the discussions and puts matters to a vote.
May a subject outside the agenda be discussed?
Yes, with the approval of ten members of 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 15
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.
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
- 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 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.