Article 3 of the Saudi Law of Universities

This article sets the legal nature of the university, and contains several elements:

• A public academic institution: it is a public body, not a private one, and its work is academic in nature.
• With a legal personality: that is, an independent legal entity with its own financial liability, which can acquire rights and bear obligations in its own name.
• Financially and administratively independent: it has independence in managing its resources and administrative affairs, within the limits of the Law's provisions.
• Contributes to implementing the State's educational policy: its independence does not mean separation from the State's directions; it is an instrument for implementing its educational policy, in accordance with the provisions of the Law.
• Does not aim at profit: its purpose is educational and research, not making profits.

The practical effect of legal personality is that the university is the party to its contracts and transactions. This article does not address who represents it or signs on its behalf; other articles regulate that.

This provision relates to Article 2, which makes the Law's aim organizing higher education affairs and strengthening its scientific, research and community standing. It also relates to Article 4, which provides that universities and their branches are established by decision of the Council of Ministers on the recommendation of the Council of University Affairs, and that a university consists of colleges, deanships, academic departments, institutes, centers, educational units below university level and university hospitals.

Someone with a dispute with a university concerning its decisions or dealings may consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases.