Saudi Arabia - Council of Ministers Statute

[Part 1 General Provisions]

Article 1
The Council of ministers is an organizational body headed by the King.

Article 2
The headquarters of the Council of Ministers will be in the city of Riyadh. It would be possible for its sessions to be held in other parts of the country.

Article 3
Membership of the Council of Ministers will have to meet the following conditions:
(a) Must be of Saudi nationality by origin and upbringing.
(b) Must be known to be of propriety and competence.
(c) Must not be convicted of a crime in violation of religion and honor.

Article 4
Members of the Council of Ministers will not assume their posts until they have made the following oath: I swear by Almighty God that I will be loyal to my religion and then to my King and country, and that I will not divulge any secrets of state and that I will safeguard its (the State's) interests and rules and carry out my duties sincerely, honestly and loyally.

Article 5
Membership of the Council of Ministers must not be combined with any other governmental post unless the Chairman of the Council of Ministers deems it necessary.

Article 6
While in office, a member of the Council of Minister's will not be allowed to buy or rent any state property directly, through a third party or in a State auction. He will also not be allowed to sell or rent out any of his properties to the government. He must not undertake any commercial of financial work, nor must he accept membership of the board of directors of any company.

Article 7
The sessions of the Council of Ministers are held under the chairmanship of the chairman of the Council of Ministers- the King or any of the deputies of the chairman. Its decisions are final after the King approves them.

Article 8
The appointment of the members of the Council of Ministers or to relieve them of their posts or to accept their resignations will be by royal order. Their responsibilities will be defined in accordance with Article 57 and 58 of the Basic Law of Government. The internal statute of the Council of Ministers defines their rights.

Article 9
The term (in office) of the Council of Ministers will not exceed four years during which it can be reformed by a royal order. In the event of the period expiring before it is reformed, it will continue to perform its work until it is reformed.

Article 10
The minister is regarded as the direct head and the final point of reference of the affairs of his ministry. He exercises his duties in accordance with the provision of this statue and other rules and regulations.

Article 11
(a) Only another minister can deputize for a minister at the Council of Ministers and (it has to be) in accordance with an order which is issued by the chairman of the Council.
(b) The deputy minister takes over the exercise of the powers of the minister during his absence.

Article 12
The Council of Ministers is composed of:
(a) Chairman of the Council
(b) Deputy Chairman of the Council
(c) Ministers
(d) Ministers of State who are appointed as members of the Council of Ministers by Royal order.
(e) Advisers to the King who are appointed as members of the Council of Ministers by Royal order.

Article 13
Attending the meeting of the Council of Ministers is a right that belongs to its members only and to the secretary-general of the Council. At the request of the chairman or a member of the Council of Ministers and after the approval of the Chairman of the Council an official or expert may be permitted to attend sessions of the Council of Ministers and to present information, and explanations he may have. However, the voting shall remain exclusive to members only.

Article 14
The session of the Council of Ministers will not be considered proper except when two thirds of its members attend the session. Its decisions will not be effective unless they are adopted by the majority of those attending the meeting. In the event of a tie, the chairman will have the casting vote. In extraordinary cases the convening of the Council of Ministers will be proper when half its members attend. Its decisions will not be legal in this case accept with the agreement of two thirds of the members who are present and the chairman has the right to evaluate the extraordinary cases.

Article 15
The Council of Ministers shall not take a decisions on a matter that concerns the work of one of the ministries except in the presence of the minister in charge of that ministry or any one else that acts for him. if necessary.

Article 16
The deliberations of the Council of Ministers take place behind closed doors. As for its decisions they are basically public except for those which are considered to be secret by the Council.

Article 17
Members of the Council of Ministers will be put on trial for offenses they may commit in their official duties, in accordance with a special statute that contains the statement of the offices and defines the procedures of the charges, the trial and the manner in which the body of the court is formed.