Senate stands firm on draft civil disputes law

AMMAN — The Senate on Monday upheld its previous decision on the draft mediation of the civil disputes law, which will require a joint session to end gridlock.

The Lower House, last week, insisted on its position on the draft mediation of the civil disputes law, rejecting for the second time the provision allowing private companies to provide notification of judicial action, arguing that the law is skewed towards benefitting “certain parties”.

The joint session will be held according to Article 92 of the Constitution, which reads: “Should either House twice reject any draft law and the other accept it, whether or not amended, both the Senate and the Chamber shall hold a joint meeting under the chairmanship of the speaker of the Senate to discuss the matters in dispute.”

The Upper House, during its session, made amendments to the draft of the Judicial Independence Law 2019, referring it to the Lower House again, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The Senate’s modifications link the Judicial Institute of Jordan with the president of the Judicial Council, rather than the justice minister, as is currently in force. MPs last week rejected the amendments to the draft of the Judicial Independence Law 2019, insisting on maintaining the institute’s dependency on the justice minister.

The Senators also endorsed amendments to the Standards and Metrology Law, which allow reexporting goods that do not conform to Jordanian standards to any country without returning the merchandise to the country of origin.

The amendments necessitate importers to reexport within 90 days of the date of issuing the final results of laboratory tests, banning importers from displaying, selling, lending or distributing the products, even if the distribution is free of charge.