Constitutional Court to be established in Jordan

The Jordanian House of Representatives has approved the establishment of a Constitutional Court. A statement from the House said, "A Constitutional Court will be established in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and will be based in the capital. It will be an independent judicial body that will consist of at least nine members, including a Chairman appointed by the King." The court will oversee the constitutionality of laws and regulations, and will issue decisions on behalf of the King. The decisions of the court will be binding on all authorities.  “The Constitutional Court holds the right to interpret provisions of the Constitution, if requested to do so by a decision from the Cabinet, or a decision taken by the National Assembly by an absolute majority, and its decision shall take effect after it is published in the official state newspaper”, the statement said. Quorum for the court’s session will be set at seven members, including the Chair. In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman can proxy. The court will pass judgements only when consensus is gained from at least six of its members. Members of the Court will have six year (non-renewable terms). Lawyer Amjad Shammout told Arabstoday that the Constitutional Court will work on protecting and enforcing freedoms. He said that the Court will be the only guarantor of democracy and the protection of constitutional provisions. Jordanian MP Abdullah Al Nosoor praised the court, but also expressed some reservations about its structure.  “We are in for major reforms, but I am worried about the duration of Court membership. I have looked at courts in developed countries and they do not have specific membership durations.”