Law of the Regions

Purpose and scope

• Governs the administrative division of the Kingdom into regions, governorates and centres, and sets the powers of regional governors and regional councils, to improve administration and development in the regions.

Key rules, rights and obligations

• Each region has a governor (emir) of ministerial rank appointed by royal order, with a deputy, reporting to the Minister of Interior.
• The governor administers the region under the general policy of the State; his duties include maintaining security and order, executing final court judgments, safeguarding individuals' rights and freedoms within the law, and developing the region socially, economically and in urban terms.
• Each region has a council chaired by the governor, including representatives of government bodies and a number of scholars and experienced residents of the region.
• The regional council studies the region's needs, proposes projects and ranks priorities, and follows up development projects.

Procedures and key deadlines

• Regional council resolutions are submitted to the Minister of Interior and referred to the bodies concerned for implementation.
• Citizens and residents may approach the regional governorate with complaints and grievances that no other body handles, or when a final judgment is not being executed.

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.