AMMAN — Prime Minister Dr. Jaafar Hassan has directed the government to draft and urgently issue a new regulatory framework governing ministerial conduct, aimed at preventing conflicts of interest, personal gain by ministers, or any direct or indirect benefit to their relatives, while reinforcing the principle of official neutrality.
اضافة اعلان
During Sunday's Cabinet session, Hassan instructed that the proposed regulation be granted urgent status.
The new framework will provide legal authority to procurement departments and oversight bodies to prevent conflicts of interest involving ministers.
The proposed regulation will establish binding rules governing ministers' relationships with entities and institutions engaged with the government in projects, tenders, and procurement processes, ensuring safeguards against conflicts of interest.
It will also prohibit ministers from using information obtained through their official positions to secure personal benefits or advantages for relatives.
The regulation will introduce strict legal provisions based on the Jordanian Constitution, which prohibits ministers from purchasing or leasing state property during their tenure, even through public auctions.
Ministers are also barred from serving on company boards, engaging in commercial or financial activities, or receiving salaries from private companies while in office.
The Prime Minister also directed the Minister of Justice and head of the ministerial legal committee to review all legislation and regulations related to functional neutrality across the public sector, with the aim of strengthening integrity, justice, transparency, and governance standards.
Digital Transformation of Sharia Courts
The Cabinet approved the 2026 Regulation on the Use of Electronic Means in Judicial Procedures Before Sharia Courts, as part of broader efforts to modernize public services and accelerate digital transformation.
The regulation establishes a legal and procedural framework for the use of electronic tools and modern technologies in judicial proceedings, simplifying procedures and reducing time, effort, and costs for citizens.
Under the new system, a range of judicial procedures will be conducted digitally within Sharia courts, the Sharia Public Prosecution, and family mediation offices. These include case registration, filing requests and memoranda, notifications, correspondence, and witness testimony.
Video appearances for judicial proceedings will be considered legally equivalent to in-person attendance, while ensuring privacy and data protection.
The regulation also specifies electronic notification methods, including the government's Sanad application, SMS messages, email, and officially registered digital addresses.
Judicial Inspection System Reforms
The Cabinet approved the rationale for a draft 2026 Regulation on Judicial Inspection for Regular Courts and Their Affiliated Departments, referring it to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau for further procedures.
The proposed reforms aim to restructure the judicial inspection system to improve the efficiency, speed, and quality of judicial procedures while enhancing transparency and fairness.
The regulation stipulates that judicial inspectors must hold a higher rank than the judges they evaluate.
The amendments also introduce updated performance assessment tools and technical, professional, and ethical evaluation standards to improve governance, strengthen compliance with judicial conduct codes, and promote specialized training and capacity building.
In addition, the reforms establish mechanisms for filing, monitoring, and addressing complaints while expanding inspectors' oversight powers to include both judicial and administrative court functions.
New Postgraduate Programs at the Judicial Institute
The Cabinet also approved amendments to the Jordanian Judicial Institute Regulation of 2026, paving the way for the introduction of postgraduate academic programs.
The amendments will allow the institute to offer a master's degree in judicial and legal studies in cooperation with Jordanian public universities and accredited international universities.
The move aims to strengthen specialized judicial education and align with higher education accreditation standards.
The reforms will also expand access to training programs for a broader range of justice-sector professionals and public-sector employees.
Admission requirements will be raised, requiring applicants to have achieved at least an 80% score in secondary education and a "very good" university degree classification, with the goal of attracting high-performing candidates.
Additionally, the amendments introduce the new position of "judicial assistant" within the Judicial Council Secretariat, creating a structured professional pathway for graduates of judicial studies diploma programs before their appointment as judges.
Expanding the Role of Trainee Judges
The Cabinet approved amendments to regulations governing trainee judges, aimed at expanding their responsibilities and providing them with greater practical experience.
Under the revised framework, trainee judges will be permitted to represent the public prosecution and conduct inspections and expert assessments under judicial supervision.
The reforms are based on a "learning by practice" approach designed to strengthen judicial training while reducing workloads for serving judges.
The changes also seek to improve trainee judges' performance through continuous evaluation and practical engagement in judicial responsibilities.
Health Sector Licensing Flexibility
As part of efforts to improve public services, the Cabinet approved amendments to regulations governing the renewal of licenses for healthcare professionals.
The changes will allow the Minister of Health to extend deadlines for completing licensing renewal procedures when necessary, ensuring continuity of healthcare services while providing healthcare workers with greater flexibility to regularize their professional status.
The amendments aim to support the stability and sustainability of the healthcare sector and prevent disruptions to essential services.
Amendments to Amman Building Regulations
The Cabinet also approved amendments to the Building and Planning Regulations for the City of Amman, aimed at supporting the construction sector and facilitating investment.
The amendments were developed following consultations with stakeholders, including the Housing Investors Association, the Engineering Offices Authority, and the Jordan Engineers Association.
The reforms focus on extending regulatory deadlines and simplifying procedures to encourage investment and facilitate building permit completion.
Political Affairs Ministry Restructuring
The Cabinet approved amendments to the administrative structure of the Ministry of Political and Parliamentary Affairs to modernize its organizational framework and improve institutional performance in line with public sector modernization goals.
Municipal Elections Postponed
Separately, the Cabinet decided to extend the postponement of municipal council elections and Greater Amman Municipality Council elections for an additional six months, pending the approval of the new Local Administration Law, which is scheduled to be discussed during the extraordinary parliamentary session beginning on July 12.
Senior Appointments
The Cabinet appointed Ahmed Mohammad Ali Asasleh as Director-General of the Maritime Authority after he achieved the highest score in the competitive selection process conducted under the Government Leadership System.
The Cabinet also approved the termination of the services of Dr. Ibrahim Mohammad Al-Rawashdeh, Director-General of the National Agricultural Research Center.
