His Majesty King Abdullah, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, on Monday received the Judicial Council’s 2019 report.

During a meeting at Al Husseiniya Palace with Judicial Council President Mohammad Ghazou, King Abdullah commended the judicial authority’s achievements, stressing that the integrity and development of the judiciary are necessary for the benefit of all citizens, sectors and investors, according to a Royal Court statement.

His Majesty expressed full support for the judicial authority, urging taking the strictest legal measures to protect society from crime and prevent repeat offences.

Ghazou gave a briefing on the 2019 report, noting that the year was marked by an increase in processed cases, a drop in complaints, an increase in specialisation, the utilisation of technology, focus on training programmes for judges, amending legislation to enhance performance, and the appointment of graduates from the Judicial Institute of Jordan.

According to the report, specialised courtrooms have been activated to hear cases related to economic crimes, money laundering, cybercrimes and human trafficking.

In addition, a centralised public prosecutor has been appointed to investigate cases of festive firing and unlicensed arms.

The report said 85 per cent of court cases were processed in 2019, and the average duration of litigation dropped, while the number of judges participating in specialised training programmes rose by 15 per cent, and community service sentences increased by 5 per cent.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi and Adviser to His Majesty for Policies Haifa Khraisha attended the meeting.