His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday emphasised the need to support the Future Judges programme in order to upgrade the judicial system.

At a meeting with several students taking part in the programme, which was launched in November 2007, King Abdullah said the programme plays a critical role in developing the country's judiciary by producing qualified judges and enhancing the efficiency of courts.

The King emphasised his full support for the programme, stressing that developing the judiciary and proceeding with reform are top national priorities.

Minister of Justice Ayman Odeh briefed King Abdullah on the programme's objective of graduating distinguished and qualified judges, whose future service will impact the work of the judicial system.

Odeh said the programme seeks to send distinguished law school graduates abroad to pursue masters degrees in legal studies. He said that 12 students have so far benefited from the scholarship and currently study in Britain.

The programme also seeks to attract excelling Tawjihi students to enter law school, Odeh said, adding that 51 students are now studying law at Jordanian universities under the programme.

"They will take advantage of curricular and extra curricular programmes to learn English and French and then be sent on scholarships to get a master's in law at foreign universities," Odeh pointed out.

The meeting was also attended by acting Prime Minister Nayef Qadi, Royal Court Chief Nasser Lozi , President of the Judicial Council Ismail Omari and Minister of Justice Secretary General Mohammed Al Ghazo.