Law of Civil Society Associations and Organizations

Purpose and scope

• Governs civil associations and foundations, aiming to organise, develop and protect civil work and contribute to national development (Article 2); the competent body is now the National Center for Non-Profit Sector Development (Article 1 as amended).

Key rules, rights and obligations

• An association is founded on application by at least ten Saudis with the articles of association; it is refused if the articles conflict with Sharia, public order or morals, and the body must reply within sixty days of a complete application (Article 8).
• The general assembly consists of the founders and members of at least six months' standing, and meets at least once each financial year within its first four months (Article 13).
• The board submits an approved annual financial report within four months of the year end (Article 20), and the association keeps its records, documents and member register (Article 21).
• A civil foundation has a board of trustees of at least three members (Article 31).
• Public-benefit associations may collect donations, and others only with approval for specific programmes; contracts with foreign or international bodies require approval, and associations may not depart from their objects (Article 39).

Violations, penalties and common problems

• By reasoned decision after warning, the body may suspend, dissolve or merge an association whose members fall below five, that departs from its objects, commits serious violations, cannot meet its obligations or misapplies its funds (Article 23).
• Common problems: collecting donations without a permit, late financial reports, and irregular general assembly meetings.

Procedures and key deadlines

• Decisions taken under the law may be challenged before the administrative court within sixty days of learning of them (Article 40).

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.