{"id":7464,"date":"2026-10-10T13:42:14","date_gmt":"2026-10-10T10:42:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/basic-law-of-governance-saudi-arabia\/"},"modified":"2026-10-11T15:16:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T12:16:26","slug":"basic-law-of-governance-saudi-arabia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/basic-law-of-governance-saudi-arabia\/","title":{"rendered":"The Basic Law of Governance in Saudi Arabia: Its Nine Chapters Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.usus-tbl{border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:760px;margin:12px 0 20px;font-size:15px}.usus-tbl th{background:#f4eff9;color:#2A124A;font-weight:700;text-align:right;padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:2px solid #C9A227}.usus-tbl td{padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5ddec;vertical-align:top}<\/style>\n<div dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<p>The <strong>Basic Law of Governance<\/strong> sets the foundations of the state in Saudi Arabia: the source of laws, the system of government, rights and duties, and the authorities of the state. It was issued by Royal Order No. (A\/90) dated 27\/8\/1412H and has 83 articles in nine chapters.<\/p>\n<p>This is a general explanation; the reference is the official text published by the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers.<\/p>\n<h2>The nine chapters<\/h2>\n<table class=\"usus-tbl\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Chapter<\/th>\n<th>What it covers<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>1. General principles<\/td>\n<td>The state&#8217;s identity; its constitution is the Book of God and the Sunnah; language and capital<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>2. System of government<\/td>\n<td>Form and principles of government: consultation, justice and equality<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>3. Features of Saudi society<\/td>\n<td>The family as the basis of society, education, national unity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>4. Economic principles<\/td>\n<td>Public wealth, protection of private property, taxes only by law<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>5. Rights and duties<\/td>\n<td>Protection of human rights under Sharia, privacy of homes and correspondence, health and social care<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>6. Authorities of the state<\/td>\n<td>Judicial, executive and regulatory authorities; independence of the judiciary<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>7. Financial affairs<\/td>\n<td>The general budget and revenues<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>8. Control bodies<\/td>\n<td>Oversight of state bodies&#8217; administrative and financial performance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>9. General provisions<\/td>\n<td>Publication, entry into force and amendment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<figure class=\"usus-ig usus-ig-7464-1\"><img class=\"wp-image-8181\" src=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-7464-1.webp\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1386\" alt=\"The nine chapters \u2014 The Basic Law of Governance in Saudi Arabia (Usus Law Firm infographic)\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-7464-1.webp 1200w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-7464-1-768x887.webp 768w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-7464-1-640x739.webp 640w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-7464-1-400x462.webp 400w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-7464-1-367x424.webp 367w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<h2>What matters in practice<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The right to litigate is guaranteed<\/strong> to citizens and residents alike. Start with <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/which-court-saudi-arabia-jurisdiction\/\">which court handles my case?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>The judiciary is independent<\/strong>; judges are subject to no authority other than Sharia.<\/li>\n<li><strong>No crime and no penalty without a text<\/strong>, and no one may be arrested or detained except under the law. Details are in the <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/saudi-criminal-procedure-law\/\">Criminal Procedure Law<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Private property is protected<\/strong>, and may be taken only for the public interest with fair compensation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Homes and correspondence are private<\/strong>, except in cases the law specifies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How it relates to other laws<\/h2>\n<p>The Basic Law sets principles that detailed laws build on: the <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/saudi-civil-procedure-law-appeal\/\">Law of Sharia Procedure<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/saudi-law-of-evidence\/\">Law of Evidence<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/saudi-civil-transactions-law\/\">Civil Transactions Law<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Is the Basic Law the Saudi constitution?<\/h3>\n<p>The Basic Law itself states that the Kingdom&#8217;s constitution is the Book of God and the Sunnah of His Prophet; the Basic Law is the highest statutory document organising government, authorities and rights.<\/p>\n<h3>Do residents enjoy these rights?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. The right to litigate and other rights extend to residents, who may file claims and appoint a lawyer.<\/p>\n<h2>Need advice on your position?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Usus Law Firm<\/strong> provides <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/service\/legal-consultations\/\">legal consultations<\/a> to individuals and companies in <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/lawyer-in-riyadh\/\">Riyadh<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/lawyer-in-tabuk\/\">Tabuk<\/a>, and advises in English. Your first consultation is free.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:12.5px;color:#6a6178;border-top:1px solid #e6ddd0;padding-top:10px;margin-top:16px\"><em>This article is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case. Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are in Arabic; the official Arabic text of each law prevails.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"usus-qbox\">\n<h2>Request a quick consultation<\/h2>\n<p>Leave your name and mobile number, and a lawyer from our Riyadh or Tabuk office will call you during working hours. We advise in English.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wpcf7 no-js\" id=\"wpcf7-f6963-o1\" lang=\"en-US\" dir=\"ltr\" data-wpcf7-id=\"6963\">\n<div class=\"screen-reader-response\"><p role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\"><\/p> <ul><\/ul><\/div>\n<form action=\"\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7464#wpcf7-f6963-o1\" method=\"post\" class=\"wpcf7-form init\" aria-label=\"Contact form\" novalidate=\"novalidate\" data-status=\"init\">\n<fieldset class=\"hidden-fields-container\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7\" value=\"6963\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_version\" value=\"6.2\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_locale\" value=\"en_US\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_unit_tag\" value=\"wpcf7-f6963-o1\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_container_post\" value=\"0\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_posted_data_hash\" value=\"\" \/>\n<\/fieldset>\n<span id=\"wpcf7-6acbb2ca4cf8a-wrapper\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap cf7apps-honeypot-wrap honeypot-qf-wrap\" style=\"position:absolute;width:1px;height:1px;padding:0;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);white-space:nowrap;border:0;\"><label for=\"wpcf7-6acbb2ca4cf8a-field\" class=\"hp-message\">Please leave this field empty.<\/label><input id=\"wpcf7-6acbb2ca4cf8a-field\"  class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text\" type=\"text\" name=\"honeypot-qf\" value=\"\" autocomplete=\"new-password\" tabindex=\"1000\" data-cf7apps-tabindex=\"1000\" \/><\/span>\n<div class=\"usus-qf\">\n<div class=\"f\"><label for=\"q-name\">Name<\/label><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"q-name\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required\" id=\"q-name\" autocomplete=\"name\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Your name\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"q-name\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"f\"><label for=\"q-phone\">Mobile<\/label><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"q-phone\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-tel wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-tel\" id=\"q-phone\" autocomplete=\"tel\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"05xxxxxxxx\" value=\"\" type=\"tel\" name=\"q-phone\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"f\"><label for=\"q-city\">City<\/label><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"q-city\"><select class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-select wpcf7-validates-as-required\" id=\"q-city\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" name=\"q-city\"><option value=\"Riyadh\">Riyadh<\/option><option value=\"Tabuk\">Tabuk<\/option><option value=\"Other city\">Other city<\/option><\/select><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"f w\"><label for=\"q-msg\">Your case in brief (optional)<\/label><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"q-msg\"><textarea cols=\"40\" rows=\"2\" maxlength=\"600\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-textarea\" id=\"q-msg\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"One or two lines are enough\" name=\"q-msg\"><\/textarea><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"s\"><input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit has-spinner\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Request a call from a lawyer\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Basic Law of Governance sets the foundations of the state in Saudi Arabia: the source of laws, the system of government, rights and duties, and the authorities of the state. It was issued by Royal Order No. (A\/90) dated 27\/8\/1412H and has 83 articles in nine chapters. This is a general explanation; the reference [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7299,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7464","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-saudi-laws-explained"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":{"landsacpe":["https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/legal-consultation-riyadh-tabuk-1140x445.jpg?wsr",1140,445,true],"list":["https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/legal-consultation-riyadh-tabuk-463x348.jpg?wsr",463,348,true],"medium":["https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/legal-consultation-riyadh-tabuk-300x300.jpg?wsr",300,300,true],"full":["https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/legal-consultation-riyadh-tabuk.jpg?wsr",1200,1200,false]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7464","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7464"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7464\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8182,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7464\/revisions\/8182"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7299"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}