9th Quarterly Report: Jordan Rule of Law Program

The program's objectives are aligned with the Ministry of Justice's (MOJ) goals to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the judicial system. The Cassation Court Technical Office has undergone significant changes, with Judge Shamoot appointed as its head by the Judicial Council. Four new judges have been appointed to the office, and ROLP is assisting with the drafting of internal regulations, equipping the office with necessary equipment, and identifying legal researchers for appointment. The office received its first request for a legal opinion from a Cassation Court panel, addressing the new tenant and landlord law. The Court Administration department is working to increase the MOJ's institutional capacity and develop standardized procedures. ROLP's Court Administrator training program has been successful, with 21 students passing the final exams and becoming eligible for Judicial Institute of Jordan (JIJ) certification. The program addresses core competencies defined by the National Association of Court Management and has resulted in a cadre of court administrators more knowledgeable in international court administration practices. Records management enhancements are being implemented at the North Amman Court, including the use of barcode printers, readers, and special boxes for large case files, as well as archive systems. The court's renovation plan, finalized by the chief judge, includes a proposed layout to combine all administrative departments on one floor and expand warehouses. Voice paging has been approved for each floor, streamlining the notification process for cases to proceed without delay. The MIZAN Criminal Case Satisfaction of Judgment System has been rolled out in all 16 FI courts, with the MOJ independently sustaining and supporting technology. ROLP has provided one-on-one training for pertinent court staff on the system's functionality, and 23 conciliation courts have launched the new system. The Notary Public application has been launched in all 16 FI courts, with ROLP preparing to launch the system at conciliation courts with MOJ staff. To improve record security, ROLP is working with the Optimiza Software Development Company to develop computerized functionality to track case file storage locations, movements, and check-out by individuals. A web portal on the MOJ website has been created, allowing the public to access information regarding cases and court hearing schedules from the MIZAN system. The program has also awarded a small grant to the Arab Council for Judicial and Legal Studies (ACJLS) for their proposal to establish indicators for monitoring the performance of the judiciary and using those standards to strengthen the management of the judiciary in Jordan. This initiative aims to enhance the use of management information from the MIZAN systems and introduce court performance indicators. Overall, the Jordan Rule of Law Program is making significant progress in enhancing judicial performance, promoting an independent judiciary, expanding access to justice, and increasing public awareness of the rule of law. The program's efforts are aligned with the MOJ's goals to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the judicial system.