In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
12 Rajab 1373 AH
We, Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,
King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
After reliance upon Almighty God,
and in view of the necessity of organizing the government administration in a manner befitting the responsibilities we have undertaken to advance the country and provide the greatest possible measure of welfare and prosperity for our dear people,
we hereby order the following:
Council of Ministers Law
Chapter One: Formation of the Council of Ministers
Article 1 – A Council of Ministers shall be established under our chairmanship, and in our absence under the chairmanship of our Deputy and Crown Prince.
Article 2 – The Council of Ministers shall consist of:
• (a) The King’s active ministers appointed by Royal Order.
• (b) The King’s advisors appointed by Royal Order as active members of the Council and as Ministers to His Majesty.
• Those whom His Majesty deems necessary to attend the Council’s sessions.
Article 3 – A minister may be deputized in the Council or in his ministry only by another minister and by Royal Order.
Article 4 – The Council may invite any government employee, through his superior, to attend its sessions regarding a matter under discussion; such attendees shall not have voting rights.
Article 5 – The Deputy Prime Minister is accountable to His Majesty the King, and ministers are accountable to His Majesty and to the Council of Ministers.
Article 6 – The dismissal or acceptance of a minister’s resignation shall be by Royal Order.
Chapter Two: Powers of the Council of Ministers
Article 7 – The Council of Ministers oversees the domestic and foreign policy of the State and is responsible for approving:
- The annual budget, the final state accounts, and the opening of new appropriations.
- International treaties and agreements, and authorizing the Minister of Foreign Affairs to sign them.
- Concession and monopoly contracts granted to individuals or companies.
- Any contract, procedure, or obligation funded by the general budget exceeding 30,000 Saudi riyals when the competent ministry deems it necessary to exceed established regulations.
- The formation of joint‑stock companies and licensing foreign companies to operate in the Kingdom.
- Settlements in disputes involving the State when such settlements impose obligations on the Treasury or require relinquishing State claims exceeding 50,000 riyals.
- Appointment and dismissal of directors of public agencies and employees of grade four and above.
- Creation of new positions, ranks, or grades not included in the budget.
- All contracts for employing foreigners, provided that no foreigner is hired unless necessary and no qualified Saudi is available.
- Acceptance of conditional donations; ministries and agencies may not dispose of State property—by gift, sale, grant, or lease exceeding one year—without prior approval of the Council.
The Council also reviews matters referred by its President or by the Council itself, as well as regulations prepared by the Shura Council or other competent bodies for approval, amendment, or rejection.
Chapter Three: General Meetings of the Council
Article 8 – A meeting is valid if two‑thirds of the members are present. Decisions are valid by majority vote of those present and become effective only after His Majesty approves them.
Article 9 – No decision concerning a ministry’s affairs may be taken without the presence of its minister or his deputy, unless necessary.
Article 10 – The Council shall hold a regular meeting once a month and may be convened exceptionally by order of His Majesty when needed.
Article 11 – Deliberations are confidential; decisions are announced unless designated confidential.
Article 12 – The Council considers items listed on the agenda and any additional matters it deems necessary. Ministers may submit items to be added to the agenda.
Article 13 – The agenda and summaries or reports of its items shall be distributed to ministers at least one week before the meeting; this may be shortened to three days in urgent cases.
Article 14 – The President opens, manages, and closes sessions, directs discussions, closes debate, conducts voting, and announces decisions.
Article 15 – The Council may form subcommittees from among its members or others to study specific matters and submit reports.
Article 16 – Members’ discussions are summarized and recorded, and decisions are documented verbatim.
Chapter Four: Powers of the Presidency of the Council
Article 17 – The President of the Council signs its decisions and communicates them to the relevant authorities.
Article 18 – The Presidency of the Council shall:
- Supervise the Council, ministries, and public agencies.
- Oversee implementation of Royal Orders, decrees, laws, and Council decisions.
- Supervise budget execution through monitoring State accounts.
- Issue decisions, instructions, and regulations necessary to implement Royal Orders, decrees, laws, and Council decisions approved by the Council and ratified by His Majesty.
Chapter Five: Departments of the Council
Article 19 – The Council shall have a Bureau consisting of:
• The General Secretariat
• State Accounts Audit
• Technical Experts
• Grievances (Complaints Division)
Article 20 – The Bureau and its departments shall be organized by Royal Order.
Article 21 – All previous legislative provisions contrary to this Law are repealed. This Law shall take effect from the date of our approval.
This Law was ratified and issued at our Royal Palace in Riyadh on 12 Rajab 1373 AH.
(This article was later amended upon the appointment of His Royal Highness Prince Faisal as Prime Minister.)
Umm al‑Qura