His Majesty King Abdullah, on Tuesday at Al Hussieniya Palace, received the Judicial Council’s annual report for 2021.
 
During a meeting with Judicial Council President Mohammad Ghazou, King Abdullah stressed the need to continue expediting litigation while maintaining fairness and quality.
 
His Majesty noted the importance of cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and other relevant stakeholders to digitise and modernise judicial procedures.
 
The King also underscored the role of the judiciary in countering drug crimes through tough penalties.
 
For his part, Ghazou said the council has implemented 95 per cent of the recommendations of the Royal Committee for Developing the Judiciary and Enhancing the Rule of Law by executing the programmes under the strategic plan for the Judicial Council 2017-2021.
 
The council, in association with the Judicial Institute, continued holding specialised courses and training in order to build judicial capacities and efficiency, he added.
 
According to the council’s report, compared to 2020, judicial cases increased by 45 per cent in 2021, and the average duration of litigation went down by 15 per cent.