Basic Law of Governance

Purpose and scope

• Sets the nature of the State and the foundations of governance, the principles of Saudi society, economic principles, rights and duties, and the authorities of the State.
• The constitution of the Kingdom is the Book of God and the Sunnah of His Prophet, which govern this law and all laws of the State.

Key rules, rights and obligations

• The authorities of the State are three: judicial, executive and regulatory; they cooperate in their functions, and the King is their reference.
• The judiciary is independent, and judges are subject to no authority in their rulings other than Islamic Sharia.
• The right to litigation is guaranteed equally to citizens and residents, and everyone may address the public authorities on matters that concern them.
• The State protects human rights under Sharia; homes are inviolable, correspondence is confidential, and no punishment is imposed except for an act made a crime by Sharia or statute.
• The State guarantees freedom and inviolability of private property, and no one is deprived of property except for the public interest and against fair compensation.
• The State guarantees the rights of the citizen and his family in emergency, illness, disability and old age, and looks after public health and education.

Procedures and key deadlines

• Laws, international treaties and agreements and concessions are issued and amended by royal decree.
• The Basic Law is the reference for interpreting any other law and is read together with the Council of Ministers Law and the Shura Council Law.

An advisory summary prepared by Al-Bayan Al-Wadih Law Firm. It is not an official text and does not replace the law, its implementing regulations, or advice from a specialised lawyer. The official published text and its amendments prevail.