Saudi Arabia · Legislation
Legislation and primary sources
Where to find the authoritative text of the law in Saudi Arabia, and how to confirm it is still in force.
Sources of law, ranked
- The Qur'an and the Sunna
- Declared by the Basic Law to be the constitution of the state.
- Fiqh, predominantly Hanbali
- Applied directly by judges; the Hanbali school is followed but not formally mandated.
- Royal decrees and orders
- The instrument for all statutory regulation, subordinate to the Sharia.
- Codifications since 2022
- Personal Status Law, Evidence Law and the Civil Transactions Law 2023 codifying contract and tort.
- Ministerial and agency regulations
- Detailed rules under enabling decrees, notably for companies, labour and capital markets.
The legislative process
There is no legislature with power to enact law. Proposals originate in ministries or the Shura Council, are considered by the Council of Ministers, and take effect as royal decrees signed by the King and published in Umm al-Qura. The Shura Council may study and recommend but its resolutions require royal approval, and the King may legislate without consulting it.
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