Jordanian Constitution — Full Text

In the Name of God the Merciful and Compassionate

We, Talal the First, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, pursuant to Article 25 of the Constitution and in accordance with the resolutions adopted by the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, ratify and promulgate the following amended Constitution:

Chapter I — The State and the System of Government

Article (1)
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is an independent sovereign Arab State. It is indivisible and inalienable. The Jordanian people are part of the Arab Nation. The system of government is parliamentary with a hereditary monarchy.

Article (2)
Islam is the religion of the State and Arabic is its official language.

Article (3)
The city of Amman is the capital of the Kingdom, which may be transferred to another place by a special law.

Article (4)
The Jordanian flag shall be of the following form and dimensions: Its length shall be twice its width; it shall be divided horizontally into three parallel equal stripes, the upper stripe being black, the middle white and the lower green; on the hoist side there shall be a red isosceles triangle whose base equals the width of the flag and whose height equals half the length of the flag; within this triangle there shall be a white seven-pointed star whose size shall be such as can be enclosed in a circle with a diameter of one-fourteenth of the length of the flag, placed so that its centre coincides with the intersection of the triangle's diagonals and the axis through one apex is parallel to the base.

Chapter II — Rights and Duties of Jordanians

Article (5)
Jordanian nationality shall be defined by law.

Article (6)
1. Jordanians shall be equal before the law. There shall be no discrimination between them in rights and duties on grounds of race, language or religion.
2. The defence of the Homeland, the preservation of its territorial integrity, the cohesion of its people and the maintenance of social peace are a sacred duty for every Jordanian.
3. The Government shall ensure work and education within the limits of its possibilities, and shall ensure tranquility and equal opportunities to all Jordanians.
4. The family is the foundation of society; it is based on religion, morality and patriotism. The law shall preserve its legitimate entity, strengthen its bonds and values.
5. The law shall protect motherhood, childhood, old age and youth, shall care for young people and persons with disabilities and protect them from abuse and exploitation.

Article (7)
1. Personal freedom is guaranteed.
2. Any transgression on the rights and public freedoms or the inviolability of the private life of Jordanians is a crime punishable by law.

Article (8)
1. No person shall be arrested, detained, imprisoned, or have his freedom restricted except pursuant to the provisions of the law.
2. Every person arrested, detained, imprisoned, or whose freedom is restricted shall be treated in a manner that preserves his human dignity. He shall not be tortured in any form, physically or morally injured. No statement shall be given weight if obtained under duress or under threat.

Article (9)
1. No Jordanian may be exiled from the territory of the Kingdom.
2. No Jordanian shall be prohibited from residing in any place or moving freely within the Kingdom or be compelled to reside in a specific place, except in the cases provided for by law.

Article (10)
Dwellings are inviolable and shall not be entered except in the cases prescribed by law and in the manner set forth therein.

Article (11)
Property shall not be expropriated except for the public interest and in return for just compensation as determined by law.

Article (12)
Compulsory loans shall not be imposed and immovable and movable property shall not be confiscated except pursuant to the law.

Article (13)
Compulsory labour shall not be imposed on any person; however, the law may require any person to perform work or service in the following circumstances:
1. In cases of emergency such as a state of war, imminent public danger, fire, flood, famine, earthquake, severe epidemic among humans or animals, insect plagues, or any circumstances that may endanger public safety.
2. As a result of a conviction, provided that such work is performed under the supervision of a public authority and the convicted person is not hired out to private individuals or companies.

Article (14)
The State shall protect the freedom of performing religious rites and ceremonies in accordance with the customs observed in the Kingdom, unless they are inconsistent with public order or contrary to public morality.

Article (15)
1. The State shall guarantee freedom of opinion, and every Jordanian shall freely express his opinion by speech, writing, photography, and all other means of expression, provided he does not exceed the limits of the law.
2. The State shall guarantee freedom of scientific research and literary, artistic, cultural and sports creativity, so long as it does not violate the provisions of the law, public order and public morals.
3. The State shall guarantee freedom of the press, printing, publishing and mass media within the limits of the law.
4. Newspapers and mass media shall not be suspended or their licenses revoked except by a court order in accordance with the provisions of the law.
5. In case of declaration of martial law or a state of emergency, a limited censorship on newspapers, publications, books, mass media and communications may be imposed by law on matters related to public safety and national defence.
6. The law shall regulate the manner of supervising the financial resources of newspapers.

Article (16)
1. Jordanians shall have the right of assembly within the limits of the law.
2. Jordanians shall have the right to establish associations, trade unions and political parties, provided their aims are legitimate, their methods peaceful, and their constitutions do not violate the provisions of the Constitution.
3. The law shall regulate the manner of establishing associations, trade unions and political parties and their supervision.

Article (17)
Jordanians shall have the right to address public authorities on personal matters or matters relating to public affairs in the manner and conditions prescribed by law.

Article (18)
All postal, telegraphic, telephone and other communications shall be treated as secret and shall not be subject to censorship, inspection, suspension or confiscation except by a judicial order in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article (19)
Communities shall have the right to establish and maintain their own schools for the education of their members, provided that they comply with the general provisions laid down by law and submit to the supervision of the Government over their curricula and orientation.

Article (20)
Primary education is compulsory for Jordanians and is free in Government schools.

Article (21)
1. Political refugees shall not be extradited because of their political opinions or for their defence of freedom.
2. International agreements and laws shall determine the rules for extraditing ordinary criminals.

Article (22)
1. Every Jordanian shall have the right to hold public office in accordance with the conditions prescribed by law or regulations.
2. Appointment to public offices, permanent or temporary, in the State, its affiliated institutions and municipalities shall be made on the basis of merit and qualifications.

Article (23)
1. Work is a right for all citizens, and the State shall provide employment opportunities for Jordanians by directing and developing the national economy.
2. The State shall protect labour and enact legislation based on the following principles:
a. Giving the worker a wage commensurate with the quantity and quality of his work.
b. Defining the weekly working hours and granting workers weekly and annual paid holidays.
c. Providing special compensation for workers with dependants and in cases of dismissal, illness, disability and work emergencies.
d. Setting special conditions for women's and minors' work.
e. Subjecting factories to health regulations.
f. Free trade union organization within the limits of the law.

Chapter III — General Provisions on Powers

Article (24)
1. The Nation is the source of all powers.
2. The Nation shall exercise its powers in the manner prescribed by this Constitution.

Article (25)
The legislative power shall be vested in the National Assembly and the King. The National Assembly shall consist of a Senate and a Chamber of Deputies.

Article (26)
The executive power shall be vested in the King and shall be exercised by His Ministers in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

Article (27)
The judicial power shall be independent and shall be exercised by courts of law in accordance with the law, and all judgments shall be rendered in accordance with the law and pronounced in the name of the King.

Chapter IV — Executive Power

Section 1 — The King and His Prerogatives

Article (28)
The throne of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is hereditary in the dynasty of King Abdullah Ibn Al-Hussein; the succession to the throne being confined to males of his male descendants in accordance with the following rules:
a. Sovereignty shall pass from the reigning King to his eldest son, thence to that son's eldest son, and so on...
b. If the reigning King dies without heirs in the direct male line, sovereignty shall pass to his eldest brother...
c. In the absence of brothers and their sons, sovereignty shall pass to the uncles and their descendants in like order...
d. If the last King leaves no heirs as mentioned above, the National Assembly shall choose as King the person it deems most fit from the descendants of the founder of the Arab Revolt, the late King Hussein ibn Ali.
e. The reigning King shall be Muslim, of sound mind, born of a lawful wife and both parents shall be Muslim.
f. No person excluded by a Royal Irade from succession on grounds of unfitness shall ascend the throne...
g. A King attains majority upon completing eighteen lunar years of age. If the throne passes to a minor, the powers of the King shall be exercised by a Regent or a Council of Regency appointed by Royal Irade...
h. If the King becomes incapable of exercising his powers by reason of illness, his powers shall be exercised by a Deputy or a Council of Deputies appointed by Royal Irade...
i. If the King intends to leave the country, he shall, prior to his departure, appoint by Royal Irade a Deputy or Council of Deputies to exercise his powers during his absence...
j. Before a Regent, Deputy, or member of a Regency Council or Council of Deputies assumes his duties, he shall take the oath specified in Article 29 before the Council of Ministers.
k. If a Regent, Deputy or member of a Regency Council or Council of Deputies dies or becomes incapable of performing his duties, the Council of Ministers shall appoint a suitable person to replace him.
l. No Regent, Deputy, or member of a Regency Council or Council of Deputies shall be less than thirty lunar years of age, except that a male relative of the King aged at least eighteen lunar years may be appointed.
m. If it becomes difficult for a person with the right to reign due to mental illness, the Council of Ministers shall, after verifying this, convene the National Assembly. If the Assembly conclusively confirms the existence of the illness, it shall decide that his reign is at an end and sovereignty shall pass to the next in line.

Article (29)
Upon ascending the throne the King shall take, before the National Assembly convened under the chairmanship of the President of the Senate, the following oath: "I swear by God the Almighty that I will be loyal to the Constitution and devoted to the Nation."

Article (30)
The King is the Head of State and is immune from all liability and responsibility.

Article (31)
The King sanctions laws, promulgates them and directs the publication of the necessary regulations for their implementation, provided such regulations contain nothing contrary to the provisions of the laws.

Article (32)
The King is the Supreme Commander of the land, naval and air forces.

Article (33)
1. The King declares war, concludes peace and ratifies treaties and agreements.
2. Treaties and agreements which involve financial commitments to the Treasury or affect the public or private rights of Jordanians shall not be valid unless approved by the National Assembly. In no case shall the secret terms of a treaty or agreement be contrary to its overt terms.

Article (34)
1. The King shall issue orders for holding elections to the Chamber of Deputies in accordance with the provisions of the law.
2. The King shall convene, inaugurate, adjourn, prorogue and dissolve the National Assembly in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
3. The King may dissolve the Chamber of Deputies.
4. The King may dissolve the Senate or relieve any of its members of membership.

Article (35)
The King appoints the Prime Minister, dismisses him and accepts his resignation. The King also appoints Ministers and dismisses them and accepts their resignations upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

Article (36)
The King appoints the members of the Senate and appoints the President of the Senate from among them and accepts their resignations.

Article (37)
1. The King establishes, confers and withdraws civil and military ranks, decorations and other marks of honour and may delegate this power to others by special law.
2. Coins shall be minted in the King's name pursuant to the law.

Article (38)
The King has the right of special pardon and commutation of sentence; general amnesty shall be granted by a special law.

Article (39)
No death sentence shall be executed until it has been confirmed by the King; every such sentence shall be submitted to him by the Council of Ministers accompanied by its opinion thereon.

Article (40)
1. Subject to paragraph (2) of this Article, the King shall exercise his powers by Royal Irade, signed by the Prime Minister and the Minister or Ministers concerned; the King shall express his approval by affixing his signature above those signatures mentioned.
2. The King shall exercise his powers by Royal Irade without the signature of the Prime Minister and the Minister or Ministers concerned in the following cases:
a. Selection of the Crown Prince.
b. Appointment of the Deputy King.
c. Appointment of the President and members of the Senate and its dissolution and acceptance of resignation or removal of any of its members.
d. Appointment and acceptance of resignation of the President of the Judicial Council.
e. Appointment of the President and members of the Constitutional Court and acceptance of their resignations.
f. Appointment and dismissal of the Commander of the Army, the Director of Intelligence and the Director of the Gendarmerie.

Section 2 — Ministers

Article (41)
The Council of Ministers shall consist of the Prime Minister as President and such number of Ministers as may be required by public needs and interests.

Article (42)
Only a Jordanian shall be appointed as Minister or in a position equivalent thereto.

Article (43)
Before assuming their duties, the Prime Minister and Ministers shall take before the King the following oath: "I swear by God Almighty that I will be loyal to the King, uphold the Constitution, serve the Nation and faithfully discharge the duties entrusted to me."

Article (44)
A Minister shall not purchase or lease any government property, even at public auction, and during his term of office he shall not be a member of the board of directors of any company, nor engage in any commercial or financial business, nor receive any salary from any company.

Article (45)
1. The Council of Ministers shall be responsible for administering all internal and external affairs of the State, except those which are entrusted or may be entrusted by this Constitution or any law to any other person or body.
2. The powers and functions of the Prime Minister, Ministers and Council of Ministers shall be defined by regulations drawn up by the Council of Ministers and approved by the King.

Article (46)
A Minister may be entrusted with the duties of one or more additional ministries as specified in the appointment decree.

Article (47)
1. Each Minister shall be responsible for the administration of all affairs of his Ministry and shall submit to the Prime Minister any matter outside his competence.
2. The Prime Minister shall act on matters within his competence and submit other matters to the Council of Ministers for the necessary decisions.

Article (48)
The Prime Minister and Ministers shall sign the resolutions of the Council of Ministers, which shall be submitted to the King for ratification in the cases provided for by this Constitution or any law or regulation made thereunder. The Prime Minister and Ministers shall each implement these resolutions within the limits of their respective competencies.

Article (49)
Oral or written orders of the King shall not relieve Ministers of their responsibilities.

Article (50)
1. Upon resignation or dismissal of the Prime Minister, all Ministers shall be deemed to have resigned.
2. In the event of the death of the Prime Minister, the Ministry shall continue under the chairmanship of the Deputy Prime Minister or the most senior Minister as the case may be, until a new Ministry is formed.

Article (51)
The Prime Minister and Ministers shall be collectively responsible before the Chamber of Deputies for the general policy of the State, and each Minister shall be individually responsible before the Chamber of Deputies for the acts of his Ministry.

Article (52)
The Prime Minister or a Minister who is a member of either House of the National Assembly shall have the right to vote in his House and to speak in both Houses. Ministers who are not members of either House may address both Houses but shall have no right to vote. Ministers or their deputies shall have the right to be heard in both Houses before other members. A Minister who draws a ministerial salary shall not simultaneously draw membership allowances in either House.

Article (53)
1. A vote of confidence in the Ministry or in any Minister shall be held either on a request by the Prime Minister or on a motion signed by not less than ten members of the Chamber of Deputies.
2. The vote on the confidence motion shall be postponed once for a period not exceeding ten days if the competent Minister or the Ministry so requests; the Chamber shall not be dissolved during this period.
3. Every newly formed Ministry shall present its ministerial declaration to the Chamber of Deputies within one month of its formation.
4. If the Chamber of Deputies is not in session, it shall be convened in an extraordinary session and the Ministry shall present its declaration and request a vote of confidence thereon within one month of its formation.
5. If the Chamber of Deputies is dissolved, the Ministry shall present its declaration and request a vote of confidence thereon within one month from the date of the first session of the new Chamber.
6. For the purposes of paragraphs (3), (4) and (5) of this Article, the Ministry shall obtain a vote of confidence if an absolute majority of the members of the Chamber of Deputies votes in its favour.

Article (54)
1. A vote of no confidence in the Ministry or in any Minister shall be put before the Chamber of Deputies.
2. If the Chamber resolves by an absolute majority of the total number of its members to withdraw confidence from the Ministry, it shall resign.
3. If the vote of no confidence concerns a particular Minister, he shall vacate his post.

Article (55)
Ministers shall be tried for offences arising from the exercise of their functions before the competent ordinary courts in the capital, in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article (56)
The Chamber of Deputies shall have the right to refer Ministers to the Public Prosecution with a statement of the grounds therefor. Such referral shall not be made except by a resolution of the majority of the members composing the Chamber of Deputies.

Article (57)
The Minister who is charged by the Public Prosecution shall be suspended from office immediately upon the issuance of the Chamber's referral resolution. His resignation shall not prevent institution of proceedings against him or continuance of his trial.

Chapter V — The Constitutional Court

Article (58)
1. A Constitutional Court shall be established by law with its seat in the capital. It shall be an independent judicial body with a corporate personality, consisting of at least nine members including the President, all appointed by the King.
2. Membership of the Constitutional Court shall be for a period of six years and shall not be renewable.

Article (59)
1. The Constitutional Court shall have jurisdiction to review the constitutionality of laws and regulations in force. It shall render its judgments in the name of the King; its judgments shall be final and binding on all authorities and all persons; they shall take immediate effect unless the Court specifies another date, and shall be published in the Official Gazette within fifteen days from their issuance.
2. The Constitutional Court shall have the power to interpret the provisions of the Constitution if requested to do so by a resolution of the Council of Ministers or a resolution adopted by either House of the National Assembly by a majority; its decision shall take effect upon publication in the Official Gazette.

Article (60)
1. The following authorities alone shall have the right to challenge directly before the Constitutional Court the constitutionality of laws and regulations in force:
a. The Senate.
b. The Chamber of Deputies.
c. The Council of Ministers.
2. In a case pending before any court, any party may raise a plea of unconstitutionality; if the court finds the plea to be serious, it shall refer it to the court designated by law to decide on referring it to the Constitutional Court.

Article (61)
1. A member of the Constitutional Court shall:
a. Be Jordanian and not hold the nationality of any other State.
b. Have completed fifty years of age.
c. Have served as a judge in the Court of Cassation or the High Court of Justice, or be a professor of law holding the rank of full professor, or a lawyer who has practised for not less than fifteen years, or a specialist fulfilling the conditions for membership of the Senate.
2. The President and members of the Constitutional Court shall, before assuming their duties, take before the King the following oath: "I swear by God Almighty that I will be loyal to the King and the Homeland, uphold the Constitution, serve the Nation and faithfully discharge the duties entrusted to me."
3. The law shall prescribe the manner in which the Court operates and is administered, the procedure for challenges before it, and all matters related to it, its procedures and its judgments and decisions, and shall specify the rights and immunities of its members.

Chapter VI — Legislative Power — The National Assembly

Article (62)
The National Assembly shall consist of two Houses: the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.

Section 1 — The Senate

Article (63)
The Senate, including its President, shall not exceed in number one-half of the Chamber of Deputies.

Article (64)
In addition to the conditions prescribed in Article 75 of this Constitution, a Senator shall have attained forty solar years of age and shall be one of the following: present or former Prime Ministers or Ministers; persons who have previously held the posts of Ambassadors or Ministers Plenipotentiary; Presidents of the Chamber of Deputies; Presidents and judges of the Court of Cassation and the Courts of Appeal, regular and religious; retired officers of the rank of Major-General and above; former Deputies elected on not less than two occasions; and such comparable public figures who have won the confidence and esteem of the people through their work and service to the Nation and the Homeland.

Article (65)
1. The term of membership of the Senate shall be four years; members shall be reappointed every four years and those whose term has expired may be reappointed.
2. The term of the President of the Senate shall be two years and he may be reappointed.

Article (66)
1. The Senate shall meet when the Chamber of Deputies meets; the sessions of both Houses shall be the same.
2. If the Chamber of Deputies is dissolved, the Senate sessions shall be suspended.

Section 2 — Chamber of Deputies

Article (67)
1. The Chamber of Deputies shall consist of members elected by general, secret and direct suffrage in accordance with an electoral law that guarantees the following matters and principles:
a. The right of candidates to monitor electoral proceedings.
b. Punishment of those who tamper with voters' will.
c. The integrity of the electoral process at all its stages.
2. An independent body shall be established by law to manage parliamentary, municipal and any general elections in accordance with the provisions of the law. The Council of Ministers may mandate the Independent Electoral Commission to manage or supervise any other elections upon the request of the authority legally empowered to conduct those elections.

Article (68)
1. The term of the Chamber of Deputies shall be four solar years beginning from the date of announcing the results of the general election in the Official Gazette. The King may extend this term by Royal Irade to a period not less than one year and not exceeding two years.
2. Elections shall be held during the four months preceding the end of the Chamber's term. If elections have not been held before the expiry of the term, or are delayed for any reason, the Chamber shall remain in existence until the new Chamber is elected.

Article (69)
1. The Chamber of Deputies shall elect a Speaker at the beginning of the ordinary session for a term of two solar years; the Speaker may be re-elected.
2. If the Chamber convenes in an extraordinary session and has no Speaker, it shall elect a Speaker for a term expiring at the beginning of the next ordinary session.

Article (70)
In addition to the conditions specified in Article 75 of this Constitution, a Deputy shall have completed thirty solar years of age.

Article (71)
1. The judiciary shall have the exclusive jurisdiction to decide on the validity of the membership of Deputies. Any voter from the electoral district may submit a challenge to the Court of Appeal having jurisdiction over the electoral district of the Deputy whose membership is challenged, within fifteen days of the publication of election results in the Official Gazette, stating the grounds of the challenge. The Court's decisions shall be final and shall not be subject to any means of challenge; they shall be rendered within thirty days from the date of registering the challenge.
2. The Court shall either dismiss the challenge or uphold it on the merits, in which case it shall declare the name of the winning Deputy.
3. The Chamber of Deputies shall declare the invalidity of the membership of the Deputy whose membership has been annulled by the Court and the name of the winning Deputy, as from the date the judgment is rendered.
4. Acts performed by the member whose membership has been annulled before the annulment shall be considered valid.
5. If the Court finds, as a result of examining a challenge before it, that the electoral procedures in the constituency concerned do not comply with the provisions of the law, it shall render a decision annulling the election in that constituency.

Article (72)
Any member of the Chamber of Deputies may resign by a letter submitted to the Speaker of the Chamber, who shall lay the resignation before the Chamber for decision on its acceptance or rejection.

Article (73)
1. If the Chamber of Deputies is dissolved, a general election shall be held such that the new Chamber convenes in an extraordinary session not later than four months after the date of dissolution. This session shall be deemed an ordinary session within the meaning of Article 78 of this Constitution and shall be subject to the provisions on extension and adjournment.
2. If elections have not been held by the end of the four months, the dissolved Chamber shall recover its full constitutional powers and shall immediately convene as if the dissolution had not occurred and shall continue its work until the new Chamber is elected.
3. Under no circumstances shall such extraordinary session extend beyond 30 September; it shall be prorogued on that date to enable the Chamber to hold its first ordinary session on the first day of October. If such extraordinary session is held in October or November, it shall be deemed to be the first ordinary session of the Chamber of Deputies.

Article (74)
1. If the Chamber of Deputies is dissolved for any reason, the new Chamber shall not be dissolved for the same reason.
2. The government in office when the Chamber of Deputies is dissolved shall resign within one week of the date of dissolution, and its Prime Minister shall not be entrusted with forming the next government.
3. A Minister who intends to stand for election shall resign at least sixty days before the date of the election.

Section 3 — Provisions Common to Both Houses

Article (75)
1. No person shall be a member of either House who:
a. Is not Jordanian;
b. Has been adjudicated bankrupt and has not been legally rehabilitated;
c. Has been declared legally incapacitated and has not had the incapacity lifted;
d. Has been sentenced to imprisonment for a period of more than one year for a non-political offence and has not received a pardon;
e. Is of unsound mind;
f. Is a relative of the King within the degree to be specified by a special law.
2. No member of either House shall, while in office, enter into any contract with the Government, public institutions, companies owned or controlled by the Government, or any public institution, whether directly or indirectly, except for contracts of lease of land and property and shareholding in companies with more than ten members.
3. If any disqualification under paragraph (1) of this Article occurs to any member of either House during his membership, or is discovered after his election, or if he violates paragraph (2), his membership shall automatically lapse and his seat shall become vacant; the decision, if issued by the Senate, shall be submitted to His Majesty the King for approval.

Article (76)
Subject to the provisions of Article 52 of this Constitution, no person may combine membership of either House with any public office. "Public office" means any office whose holder receives a salary from public funds, including municipal offices. Nor may a person combine membership of the Senate with membership of the Chamber of Deputies.

Article (77)
Subject to provisions of this Constitution relating to the dissolution of the Chamber of Deputies, the National Assembly shall hold one ordinary session in each year of its term.

Article (78)
1. The King shall convene the National Assembly for its ordinary session on the first day of October each year; if that day is an official holiday, on the next day that is not an official holiday. The King may, by Royal Irade published in the Official Gazette, postpone the session of the National Assembly to a date specified in the Royal Irade, provided the postponement does not exceed two months.
2. If the National Assembly is not convened in accordance with the preceding paragraph, it shall convene on its own as if it had been duly convened.
3. The ordinary session of the National Assembly begins on the date it is convened and lasts for six months, unless the King dissolves the Chamber before the expiry of that period. The King may extend the ordinary session by a further period not exceeding three months to complete pending business. Upon the expiry of six months or any extension thereof, the King shall prorogue the session.

Article (79)
The King shall inaugurate the ordinary session of the National Assembly by delivering the Speech from the Throne to both Houses in joint session, and may delegate the Prime Minister or one of the Ministers to perform the inauguration ceremonies and deliver the Speech from the Throne. Each House shall submit a petition containing its reply thereto.

Article (80)
Every member of both Houses of the National Assembly shall, before commencing his duties, take before his House the following oath: "I swear by God Almighty that I will be loyal to the King and the Homeland, uphold the Constitution, serve the Nation and faithfully discharge the duties entrusted to me."

Article (81)
1. The King may by Royal Irade adjourn the sessions of the National Assembly three times only, or twice only if the Assembly has been postponed under paragraph (1) of Article 78, provided that the total periods of adjournment in any ordinary session do not exceed two months, including the period of postponement; periods of adjournment shall not be counted in the session duration.
2. Each House may adjourn its sittings from time to time in accordance with its Rules of Procedure.

Article (82)
1. The King may, when necessary, convene the National Assembly in extraordinary sessions for an unlimited period to deal with specific matters set out in the Royal Irade convening the session. An extraordinary session shall be prorogued by Royal Irade.
2. The King shall also convene the National Assembly in extraordinary sessions when an absolute majority of the Chamber of Deputies so requests by petition signed by them stating the matters to be considered.
3. The National Assembly shall not, in any extraordinary session, consider any matter other than those specified in the Royal Irade by which the session was convened.

Article (83)
Each House shall draw up rules of procedure to govern and organize its proceedings; these rules shall be submitted to the King for ratification.

Article (84)
1. A sitting of either House shall not be valid unless attended by an absolute majority of its members; the sitting shall remain valid as long as this majority is present.
2. Resolutions of each House shall be adopted by a majority of the votes of the members present, exclusive of the Speaker, unless this Constitution provides otherwise; if votes are equal, the Speaker shall cast the deciding vote.
3. If the vote concerns the Constitution, a vote of confidence in the Ministry or in any Minister, votes shall be cast by calling on members by name aloud.

Article (85)
Sittings of both Houses shall be public; however, closed sittings may be held at the request of the Government or at the request of five members, whereupon the House shall decide whether to accept or reject the request.

Article (86)
1. No member of either House shall be arrested or tried during the session unless the House to which he belongs resolves by an absolute majority that there are sufficient grounds for his arrest or trial, or unless he is caught in flagrante delicto of a felony; in the latter case the House shall be immediately informed.
2. If a member is arrested for any reason during a period when the National Assembly is not in session, the Prime Minister shall inform the House to which that member belongs, when it meets, of the measures taken, with the necessary explanation.

Article (87)
Every member of both Houses shall have complete freedom of speech and opinion within the limits of the Rules of Procedure of the House to which he belongs. No member shall be held responsible for any vote, opinion or speech made during the sittings of the House.

Article (88)
If a seat in either House becomes vacant by death, resignation or any other reason, except where a judicial decision has been issued annulling the membership, the House concerned shall notify the Government or the Independent Electoral Commission if the vacant seat is that of a Deputy within thirty days of the vacancy; the seat shall be filled by appointment if the seat belonged to a Senator or in accordance with the Electoral Law if it belonged to a Deputy, within two months from the date of notification by the House of the vacancy. The new member's term shall last until the end of the term of the House.

Article (89)
1. In addition to the cases in which both Houses of the National Assembly meet under Articles 29, 34, 79 and 92 of this Constitution, both Houses shall meet together at the request of the Prime Minister.
2. When both Houses meet together, the President of the Senate shall preside.
3. A joint sitting of the two Houses shall not be valid unless an absolute majority of the members of each House is present; resolutions shall be adopted by a majority of the votes of those present exclusive of the Speaker, who shall cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie.

Article (90)
No member may be expelled from either House except by a resolution of the House to which he belongs; in cases other than incompatibility and lapsing of membership as provided in this Constitution and the Electoral Law, the expulsion resolution shall require a two-thirds majority of the total members of the House. If the expulsion concerns a Senator, the House's resolution shall be submitted to the King for approval.

Article (91)
The Prime Minister shall submit every draft law to the Chamber of Deputies, which may accept, amend or reject it. In all cases the draft shall be referred to the Senate. No law shall be enacted unless approved by both Houses and ratified by the King.

Article (92)
If either House rejects a bill twice and the other House accepts it with or without amendments, both Houses shall meet in joint session under the chairmanship of the President of the Senate to discuss the points of difference. Acceptance of the bill shall require a two-thirds majority of the members present. If the bill is rejected as described, it shall not be resubmitted to the National Assembly in the same session.

Article (93)
1. Every bill approved by both Houses shall be submitted to the King for ratification.
2. A law shall enter into force upon its promulgation by the King and the lapse of thirty days from its publication in the Official Gazette, unless a special provision in the law specifies a different date.
3. If the King does not see fit to ratify a law, he may, within six months of its submission to him, return it to the National Assembly with a statement of his reasons for withholding ratification.
4. If a bill (other than the Constitution) is returned within the period mentioned in the preceding paragraph and is approved again by both Houses with a two-thirds majority of the members of each House, it shall be promulgated. If the requisite two-thirds majority is not obtained, the bill shall not be re-examined in the same session; the National Assembly may, however, reconsider the bill in the next ordinary session.

Article (94)
1. When the Chamber of Deputies is dissolved, the Council of Ministers, with the approval of the King, may enact provisional laws to deal with the following matters:
a. Public disasters;
b. State of war and emergencies;
c. Necessity for urgent expenditure that cannot be postponed.
Provisional laws, which must not contravene the provisions of the Constitution, shall have the force of law. They shall be submitted to the National Assembly at its first meeting; the Assembly shall decide on them within two successive ordinary sessions from the date of referral. It may approve, amend or reject them. If they are rejected, or if the period specified in this paragraph elapses without a decision, the Council of Ministers, with the approval of the King, shall declare their invalidity forthwith; from the date of such declaration, they shall cease to have the force of law, without prejudice to contracts and vested rights.
2. Provisional laws shall enter into force in the same manner as ordinary laws under Article 93 of this Constitution.

Article (95)
1. Ten or more members of either House may propose laws. Every such proposal shall be referred to the competent committee of the House for an opinion; if the House decides to accept it, it shall be referred to the Government to formulate it as a draft law and present it to the House in the same or in the following session.
2. Any proposal for a law submitted by members of either House in accordance with the preceding paragraph and rejected by the House shall not be resubmitted in the same session.

Article (96)
Every member of both Houses may address questions and interpellations to Ministers concerning any public matter in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the House to which that member belongs. No interpellation shall be debated until eight days after its delivery to the Minister concerned, unless the case is urgent and the Minister agrees to shorten the said period.

Article (97)
Judges are independent and in the exercise of their judicial functions are subject to no authority other than that of the law.

Article (98)
1. Judges of the regular and religious courts shall be appointed and dismissed by Royal Irade in accordance with the provisions of the law.
2. A Judicial Council shall be established by law to manage all affairs relating to regular judges.
3. Subject to paragraph (1) of this Article, the Judicial Council alone shall have the right to appoint regular judges in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article (99)
Courts shall be of three kinds:
1. Regular Courts.
2. Religious Courts.
3. Special Courts.

Article (100)
The types, grades, divisions and jurisdictions of all courts and the manner of their administration shall be defined by a special law, which shall provide for the establishment of an administrative judiciary of two levels.

Chapter VII — The Judiciary (continued)

Article (101)
1. Courts shall be open to all and shall be protected from interference in their affairs.
2. No civilian shall be tried on a criminal charge before a court unless all its judges are civilians. Exceptions to this rule are offences of treason, espionage, terrorism, narcotics offences and currency counterfeiting.
3. Court hearings shall be public unless the court decides that they shall be held in camera in the interest of public order or the preservation of public morals. In all cases the verdict shall be delivered in a public hearing.
4. The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a final judgment.

Article (102)
The regular courts of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan shall exercise jurisdiction over all persons in all civil and criminal matters, including suits brought by or against the Government, except for matters over which jurisdiction is vested in religious or special courts by the provisions of this Constitution or any other legislation in force.

Article (103)
1. Regular courts shall exercise their civil and criminal jurisdiction in accordance with the laws in force in the Kingdom; however, in matters concerning the personal status of foreigners, or in commercial and civil matters where international usage requires the application of foreign law, that law shall be applied in the manner prescribed by law.
2. Matters of personal status are those defined by law as falling within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Shari'a courts where the parties are Muslim.

Article (104)
Religious courts shall be divided into:
1. Shari'a courts.
2. Councils of other religious communities.

Article (105)
The Shari'a courts alone shall have jurisdiction, in accordance with their special laws, in the following matters:
1. Matters of personal status of Muslims.
2. Blood money cases, if both parties are Muslim or if one party is non-Muslim and both parties consent to the jurisdiction of the Shari'a courts.
3. Matters concerning Islamic waqf.

Article (106)
The Shari'a courts shall apply the provisions of Islamic Shari'a in their judgments.

Article (107)
The manner of organizing the affairs of Islamic waqf and managing its financial and other affairs shall be defined by a special law.

Article (108)
The councils of other religious communities are the councils of the non-Muslim religious communities which the Government has recognized or may recognize as established in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Article (109)
1. The councils of other religious communities shall be constituted in accordance with laws issued specially for them; these laws shall define the competencies of such councils with regard to matters of personal status and waqf established for the benefit of the community concerned. Matters of personal status for these communities are the same matters of personal status of Muslims that fall within the jurisdiction of the Shari'a courts.
2. The councils of religious communities shall apply the rules and provisions relating to matters of personal status that are not considered to be matters of personal status of Muslims falling within the jurisdiction of Shari'a courts, provided that the legislation governing these councils specifies the conditions for appointing their judges and the rules of procedure before them.

Article (110)
Special courts shall exercise their jurisdiction in accordance with the laws applicable to them.

Chapter VIII — Financial Affairs

Article (111)
No tax or duty shall be imposed except by law. The categories of fees charged by the Treasury for services rendered by government departments to individuals, or for the use of State property, shall not fall within the categories of taxes and duties. The Government shall, in levying taxes, adopt the principle of progressive taxation with a view to achieving equality, social justice and not exceeding the taxpayers' ability to pay and the State's need for revenue.

Article (112)
1. The draft General Budget Law and the draft budget laws of governmental units shall be submitted to the National Assembly at least one month before the beginning of the fiscal year for consideration in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution; the same budgetary provisions of this Constitution shall apply to them. The Government shall submit the final accounts at the end of six months from the end of the preceding fiscal year.
2. Voting on the General Budget shall be chapter by chapter.
3. No amount in the expenditure part of the General Budget shall be transferred from one chapter to another except by law.
4. When discussing the draft General Budget Law or provisional laws related thereto, the National Assembly may reduce expenditures in the chapters as it sees fit in the public interest but may not increase those expenditures, either by amendment or by a separate vote; however, after the discussion is concluded, proposals may be made to enact laws to create new expenditures.
5. During discussion of the General Budget, no proposal shall be accepted for the abolition of an existing tax, the imposition of a new tax, or the modification of established taxes by increase or decrease affecting what has been approved by the fiscal laws in force, nor shall any proposal for amendment of expenditures or revenues tied to contracts be accepted.
6. The revenues and estimated expenditures of the State for each fiscal year shall be approved by the General Budget Law; however, that Law may provide for the allocation of specified amounts for more than one year.

Article (113)
If it is not possible to approve the General Budget before the beginning of the new fiscal year, expenditures shall continue on a monthly basis at a rate of 1/12 of the previous year's budget.

Article (114)
The Council of Ministers, with the approval of the King, may enact regulations to control the allocation and expenditure of public funds and to organize government warehouses.

Article (115)
All taxes and other State revenues collected shall be paid into the Treasury and shall be included in the State budget unless the law provides otherwise. No part of the funds of the Treasury shall be allocated or spent for any purpose whatsoever except by law.

Article (116)
The King's Civil List shall be charged to public revenue and shall be specified in the General Budget Law.

Article (117)
Every concession granted to provide for any right connected with the exploitation of mines, minerals or public utilities shall be approved by law.

Article (118)
No person may be exempted from paying taxes and duties except in the cases specified by law.

Article (119)
An Audit Bureau shall be established by law to supervise the revenues and expenditures of the State and the manner of their disbursement:
1. The Audit Bureau shall submit to both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies a general report containing violations committed, the resulting liability, its opinions and observations, at the beginning of each ordinary session and whenever either House so requests.
2. The law shall stipulate the immunity of the President of the Audit Bureau.

Chapter IX — General Provisions

Article (120)
The administrative divisions of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the formation of government departments, their grades, names, the system of their administration, the manner of appointment, dismissal and supervision of officials and the scope of their powers and functions shall be defined by regulations issued by the Council of Ministers with the approval of the King.

Article (121)
Municipal and local affairs shall be administered by municipal or local councils in accordance with special laws.

Article (122)
1. A Supreme Council shall be formed, consisting of the President of the Senate as chairman, and eight members: three appointed by the Senate from among its members by ballot, and five from the judges of the highest regular court in order of seniority; when necessary the number shall be completed from the presidents of the courts next in order of seniority.
2. The Supreme Council shall have the right to interpret the provisions of the Constitution if requested to do so by a resolution of the Council of Ministers or a resolution adopted by either House of the National Assembly by an absolute majority; such interpretation shall take effect upon publication in the Official Gazette.
3. This Article shall be deemed abrogated upon the entry into force of the law establishing the Constitutional Court.

Article (123)
1. The Special Council shall have the right to interpret any law which has not been interpreted by the courts, if the Prime Minister requests such interpretation.
2. The Special Council shall consist of the President of the highest regular court as chairman, two of its judges, one senior administrative official appointed by the Council of Ministers, and one member from the senior officials of the Ministry concerned with the interpretation requested, delegated by the Minister.
3. The Special Council shall issue its decisions by a majority.
4. Decisions issued by the Special Council and published in the Official Gazette shall have the force of law.
5. All other matters relating to the interpretation of laws shall be decided by the courts in the normal manner.

Article (124)
If there is a need to defend the Homeland in the event of an emergency, a law called the Defence Law shall be enacted, granting the authority to the person designated by that law to take the necessary measures and actions, including the power to suspend the ordinary laws of the State, to ensure the defence of the Homeland. The Defence Law shall enter into force when so declared by Royal Irade issued pursuant to a decision of the Council of Ministers.

Article (125)
1. In the event of a serious emergency requiring measures beyond those provided for in the preceding Article, the King, pursuant to a decision of the Council of Ministers, may declare martial law by Royal Irade throughout the Kingdom or in any part thereof.
2. Upon declaration of martial law, the King may, by Royal Irade, issue any instructions required for the purposes of defending the Kingdom, notwithstanding the provisions of any law in force. All persons executing those instructions shall remain liable for their acts under the laws until they are exempted from such liability by a special law enacted for that purpose.

Article (126)
1. The same procedures prescribed in this Constitution for bills shall apply to any bill for the amendment of the Constitution. Approval of the amendment shall require a two-thirds majority of the members of each of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. If the two Houses meet in a joint session under Article 92 of this Constitution, the approval of the amendment shall require a two-thirds majority of the total members of each House. In both cases the amendment shall not be effective unless ratified by the King.
2. No amendment to the Constitution may be introduced during a regency with respect to the rights of the King and his succession.

Article (127)
1. The mission of the Army is confined to defending the Homeland and preserving its security.
2. The law shall define the system of the Army, intelligence, police and gendarmerie, and the rights and duties of their members.
3. The King shall appoint the Commander of the Army, the Director of Intelligence and the Director of the Gendarmerie, dismiss them and accept their resignations.

Chapter X — Implementation and Abrogation

Article (128)
1. Laws enacted pursuant to this Constitution for the regulation of rights and freedoms shall not impair the essence of these rights or affect their fundamentals.
2. All laws, regulations and other legislative acts in force in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan at the time this Constitution comes into force shall remain valid until abrogated or amended by legislation issued pursuant thereto, within a maximum period of three years.

Article (129)
1. The Jordanian Constitution promulgated on 7 December 1946, together with all amendments thereto, is hereby abrogated.
2. The Palestine Constitution Order 1922, together with all amendments thereto, is hereby abrogated.
3. The abrogation provided for in the two preceding paragraphs shall not affect the legality of any law or regulation issued pursuant thereto or anything done thereunder before the entry into force of the provisions of this Constitution.

Article (130)
The provisions of this Constitution shall come into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Article (131)
The Council of Ministers is charged with the implementation of the provisions of this Constitution.