The Advisory Council assumes the legislative authority, approves the general policy of the government and the budget, and exercises control over the executive authority as prescribed by the constitution.

Formation and Membership
The Advisory Council consists of forty-five members, thirty of them are elected by direct, general secret ballot; and the Emir appoints the remaining fifteen members from amongst the ministers or any other persons. The term of service of the appointed members expires when these members resign their seats or are relieved from their posts.

Sessions
The annual term of session of the Council is at least eight months and the Council may not be allowed to adjourn the session until the budget of the state is approved. The Council commences its annual ordinary session upon convocation by the Emir within the month of October every year. The Emir or his nominated representative opens the annual term of the session of the Advisory Council and gives a comprehensive speech in which he addresses the affairs of the state.
In the case of necessity, the Emir, by Decree or upon a request by majority of the members of the Council, calls the Council to an extraordinary meeting, where the Council may not look into matters other than those for which the Council is convoked. Summoning and adjourning the ordinary and extraordinary sessions shall be made by Decree.

The Council's Bureau   
The Council has a bureau consisting of the Speaker, his Deputy and chairs of committees, and has a general secretariat to assist the Council in the discharge of its functions. The Advisory Council makes its internal regulations comprising its internal order and the conduct of its business, the work of committees, organization of sessions, rules of proceedings, voting and all functions stipulated in the constitution. The regulations determine the disciplinary penalties for the members' violation of order or failure to attend sessions of the Council or committees without acceptable reason; and the aforementioned regulations are issued by law.

Sittings of the Council are public. They may also be held in camera upon a request of one third of the members of the Council or upon a request from the Council of Ministers. The resolutions of the Council are passed by absolute majority of the attending members save in cases that require special majority. In case the votes are equal, the speaker shall have casting vote.
The Emir may dissolve the Council by a Decree in which the reasons for the dissolution shall be stated; however, the Council shall not be dissolved twice for the same reason. Where the Council is dissolved, the elections of the new Council take place within a period not exceeding six months as of the date of dissolution. Until a new Council is elected, the Emir with the assistance of the Council of Ministers assumes the power of legislation.

The Council concerned with the following:

• Discussion of:
  • Proposed laws and laws with decrees.
  • State policy concerning economic, administrative and political issues.
  • All the state affairs related to social and cultural aspect in general whether by its own initiative or referred to it by the Cabinet of Ministers.
  • The general budget for public projects.
  • The budget of the Council and its final accounts.
• Follow up on previously discussed issues referred to it by Cabinet, and track their progress.
• Forward queries with intention to clarify issues.
• Request additional detail on matters concerning government and ministerial policy.
• Propose or put forward recommendations or show intention with above mentioned