King Abdullah made the remarks as he received the report compiled by the Royal Committee for Developing the Judiciary and Enhancing the Rule of Law, which came up with 49 suggestions, some of which have been key demands by advocacy groups and activists for decades.
The implementation of the plan will involve changes to, or the introduction of 16 pieces of legislation.
The royal committee was formed in October 2016 under the chairmanship of former Prime Minister Zeid Rifai. Its mandate was to draw up a comprehensive strategy within four months to address the challenges facing the judicial reform process and improve legislation.
During the meeting with the committee’s president and members at Al Husseiniya Palace, also attended by His Royal Highness Prince Feisal bin Al Hussein, the King hailed the recommendations. His Majesty said that they had the potential to enroot effective and just judicial procedures as a key pillar of a state of justice and law that safeguards the rights and freedoms of its citizens.
The implementation stage should begin immediately, the King said, urging coordination among the three branches of government to translate the plan into concrete measures and policies within the current year.
His Majesty underlined the potential impact of success in this endeavour, especially since it would assure citizens and investors that their rights are protected and transactions completed within reasonable timeframes.
For his part, Rifai said the 14-member committee had held intensified meetings, reviewed the opinions of the concerned parties, and consulted leading jurists and the best international practices in the field.
The taskforce also reviewed the achievements of previous committees with a similar mandate and the work of the Judicial Council and the Ministry of Justice, covering all the aspects of the mission, with focus on human rights, criminal and civil laws, tribunal formation, the Judicial Council, public prosecution, judicial inspection, judges’ affairs and judicial environment.
Rifai stressed that the judicial system cannot be reformed without ensuring the independence of the judiciary.