Amman, November 3 (Petra) -- His Majesty King Abdullah II visited the Judicial Council on Monday, and expressed appreciation for the ongoing efforts of the judiciary to uphold the rule of law and establish justice.

According to a royal court statement, during a meeting with the president and members of the council, His Majesty instructed the Judicial Council president to form a specialised committee to develop the judiciary and conduct a comprehensive assessment to propose recommendations based on previous achievements.

The King said an independent and fair judiciary is a fundamental pillar for the advancement of the state and the protection of rights and freedoms, noting the need for the continuous development of the council’s institutional management, and provision of the necessary tools to enhance judicial independence.

His Majesty urged supporting the professional advancement of judges, through the provision of specialised training programmes and staff to enable them to perform their duties efficiently, while providing a suitable working environment, and enhancing judicial facilities.

The King highlighted the importance of expediting and simplifying litigation procedures without compromising fair trial conditions and the quality of judgments, revising legislation and judicial procedures to keep pace with technological developments, and enhancing coordination with relevant institutions. His Majesty also urged establishing specialised departments within the judicial system to boost investor confidence and encourage them to invest in Jordan.

The King touched on the importance of strengthening fair trial guarantees, developing and modernising criminal justice and sentencing policy, and expanding the application of alternative punishments.

His Majesty underscored the need for the committee to review judicial procedures, in implementation of previous recommendations of the Royal Committee for Developing the Judiciary and Enhancing the Rule of Law.

For his part, Judicial Council President Mahmoud Ababneh highlighted the judiciary’s accomplishments and its plans aimed at keeping pace with developments in litigation, including the use of modern technology, and progress in the digitisation of judicial work.

Ababneh said facilitating access to justice, establishing the rule of law, and building a judicial environment that attracts investment are cornerstones of judicial development.

For their part, the Judicial Council members praised the King’s commitment to strengthening the independence of the judiciary and developing legislation in line with contemporary advancements, as well as consolidating the rule of law and confidence of citizens and investors in the judiciary.

His Majesty was accompanied by Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi, and Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh.

//Petra// AK