Criminal and Administrative Law
Jordanian Law on Trial of Ministers (Law No. 35 of 1952) — Summary Updated through 2026
This summary outlines Law No. 35 of 1952 on the trial of ministers, as revised through 2026, identifying the categories of offences arising from official functions that render a prime minister or minister prosecutable before regular courts in the capital. It explains the main offence definitions, criminal and civil consequences, and jurisdictional framework while refraining from procedural steps not specified in the original statute.
Updated: 24 March 2026
Prepared and reviewed by: Ashraf Al-Khawaja
Scope and Application of the Law
The law governs prosecution of the prime minister and ministers before the competent regular courts in the capital when they commit offences arising from the exercise of their official functions. Updated through 2026, the statute confines jurisdiction to specified categories of office-related offences and does not extend to acts unrelated to official duties unless other law provides otherwise.
Offences Defined by the Law
The statute identifies three principal offence categories: high treason, abuse of authority, and breach of duty. High treason is tied to acts affecting external or internal state security as defined in the Penal Code and to certain constitutional violations; abuse of authority includes bribery, embezzlement, exploitation of office, other criminal offences listed in the Penal Code, specified constitutional breaches, endangering state safety through gross negligence or error, and authorizing expenditures outside the state budget. Breach of duty covers conflicts of interest such as acquiring or leasing state property while in office, entering commitments or tenders with public administrations, and serving on company boards or engaging in commerce while a minister.
Penalties and Civil Consequences
Criminal sanctions provided in the Penal Code apply to offences classified as high treason and to certain categories of abuse of authority. Some offences attract temporary hard labour, while others carry imprisonment not exceeding one year. In addition, a monetary fine at least equal to the damage to the state treasury and up to twice that amount may be imposed and is treated as civil compensation; ministers also remain civilly liable under the Civil Code.
Court Jurisdiction, Enforcement and Procedural Limits
The law provides for trial of ministers before the competent regular courts in the capital and assigns responsibility for implementing its provisions to the prime minister and ministers. While the statute specifies offences and penalties, it does not elaborate on parliamentary referral mechanisms or detailed immunity-lifting procedures; practical initiation of prosecutions and interaction with general criminal procedure therefore requires consulting the operative text and relevant procedural regulations.
Legal notice
Disclaimer: The above is general educational content based on the Law on Trial of Ministers as reflected in the original source linked on this page. It is not a substitute for the operative statutory text or for advice from a licensed lawyer; verify the official gazette, amendments, timelines and procedural rules with the competent authorities and qualified counsel before taking any action.
Sources and references
Verify the official text and latest amendments before relying on this material professionally.