Jordan Times
Tuesday, September 5, 2006
Reforms continue with
focus on capacity-building
By Mahmoud Habboush
AMMAN — Minister of Justice Abed Shakhanbeh on
Monday announced a package of measures to develop the country’s judicial system
and build the capacity of judges.
“We are in the process of establishing a national body to oversee the
development of legislation in Jordan,” Shakhanbeh said during a press conference
yesterday.
A committee held meetings to outline the proposed body’s bylaws, which will be
submitted soon to the Cabinet, he said.
“Many of the laws here are very old and need to be revised and developed,”
Shakhanbeh told reporters.
He said the ministry would also soon launch a capacity- building programme to
help judges develop their experience by benefiting from other countries’
expertise. “We will send 10 judges to Britain every six months where they will
attend specialised training courses...,” the justice minister said.
According to Shakhanbeh, there are some 650 judges in the country and there are
plans to increase them to 800.
“We’ve appointed 50 judges this year alone,” he said.
He added that part of the plan to develop the judiciary branch is to ensure that
judges have the needed resources and equipment. “Within the next three weeks, we
will distribute 100 more laptops to judges so they can improve their quality of
work. We have already distributed 85,” he said. Judges will also receive a
stipend to purchase law books, he added.