Royal Order and Royal Decree

Royal Order and Royal Decree

Royal orders and decrees are among the most important regulatory tools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as they are used to issue higher decisions, organize state affairs, and approve legislative regulations and amendments. 

With the frequent use of these terms in news and official decisions, many may wonder about the difference between a royal order and a royal decree, when each is used, and what systemic impact they have.

How are the systems issued?

Article 67 of the Basic Law of Governance stipulates that the regulatory authority in Saudi Arabia is competent to issue regulations and set regulations in a way that achieves the interest or removes corruption in state affairs in a manner that does not violate the provisions of Islamic Sharia.

Steps to issue regulations in Saudi Arabia

• Regulations in Saudi Arabia are issued by the state’s regulatory authority, represented by the King, the Council of Ministers, and the Shura Council.
• First, a proposal to issue a new system or amend an old system is made by the relevant minister, and this proposal is submitted to the Council of Ministers, or members of the Shura Council can propose a new system or amend an existing system.
• The proposal is studied, each article is voted on, and then the draft system is voted on.
• Regulations are issued by royal decrees.

What are the regulatory legislative tools in Saudi Arabia?

• Royal order.
• Royal Decree.
• Royal order.
• Royal directive.
• Shura Council decision.
• Cabinet decision.
• Ministerial decision.

What is meant by royal decree?

The definition of a royal decree is a written document issued by the king in his capacity as head of state and head of the Council of Ministers, and this tool is used in issuing regulations and ratifying international treaties, agreements, privileges, and the state budget in accordance with Article 70 of the system.

Such as the royal decree approving the companies’ system.

What is the difference between a royal decree and a Cabinet decision?

What is the difference between a royal decree and a Cabinet decision?

In terms of issuer

The royal decree is issued by the King, while the Cabinet decision is issued with the signature of the Prime Minister or his deputy.

In terms of goal

The royal decree aims to ratify regulations and agreements that have been discussed by the Council of Ministers or the Shura Council.

The purpose of the Cabinet’s decision is to study new regulations and amendments to existing regulations, organize procedures, approve plans, or establish entities that fall within the Council’s jurisdiction.

What is the meaning of a royal order?

It is a written document issued by the King in his capacity as Head of State and a reference for all authorities. It is used to approve government regulations and appoint ministers, their deputies, high-ranking officials, judges, military personnel, and members of the Shura Council.

The royal order is divided into two main types:

• A royal legislative order such as approving the basic regulations, the Basic Law of Governance, and the Council of Ministers system
• An executive royal order such as appointing princes, ministers, military personnel, etc.

What is the difference between a royal order and a royal decree?

In terms of strength

The royal order is considered the most powerful and highest-ranking regulatory tool in Saudi Arabia.

In terms of goal

The purpose of the Royal Decree is for the King to approve draft regulations and decisions issued by the Council of Ministers and the Shura Council.

While the royal order is issued directly by the King as King of Saudi Arabia and not as Prime Minister, the royal order aims to establish or amend regulations or appoint senior state officials.

When dealing with regulatory systems and decisions in the Kingdom, it can sometimes be difficult to understand the legal impact of some terms such as royal order and royal decree, especially when the matter relates to your rights or legal procedures affecting your work or activity. 

Therefore, obtaining a legal opinion from a competent lawyer helps you understand the regulatory texts correctly and determine the appropriate procedure for your case.

What does Sami mean?

What does Sami mean?

The definition of a royal order is a written document that has no specific form or format issued by the king in his capacity as Prime Minister or Deputy Prime Minister.

The royal order is used to issue the necessary directives in executive affairs outside the executive powers of the Council of Ministers in order to address specific cases in a way that serves the interests of citizens and residents or executive arrangements.

An example of this is the royal order granting the authority to exempt from deportation in cases of drug use and possession for the purpose of use in accordance with the system for combating narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

A royal order differs from a royal order and a royal decree in that it is issued by the king or his deputy in his capacity as Prime Minister, while a royal order and a royal decree are neither issued except by the king alone in his capacity as head of state.

Royal Order and Royal Decree in Saudi Arabia

Understanding the difference between a royal order, a royal decree, and a royal order in the Saudi system is important for understanding how decisions and regulations are issued in the Kingdom, and their legal and regulatory implications. 

Each of them issues through a specific mechanism and has a different role in organizing state affairs and approving higher regulations or decisions.

If you need an accurate legal clarification of official regulations and decisions or have a legal inquiry related to your rights or activities, hiring a specialized lawyer from the office of Attorney Abdul Majeed Al Rashid will help you understand the regulatory aspects correctly and avoid any legal problems.