AMMAN — Jordan recorded a 5.3 per cent increase in marriages in 2024 compared with the previous year, according to the annual report issued by the Sharia Courts Department on Monday.

 

The report also noted that the divorce rate remained stable at 2.2 per 1,000 people, a figure consistent with international averages, which the department attributed to the effectiveness of family counselling and awareness programmes.

 

Presenting the findings at a press conference, Chief Islamic Justice Abdul Hafiz Rabtah emphasised the department’s commitment to transparency, institutional development and public engagement.

 

Rabtah said the report reflects ongoing efforts to modernise services, enhance social protection, and improve access to justice, in line with Royal directives and the national digital transformation strategy.

 

"Digital transformation remained a strategic focus in 2024, with 73 new e-services launched. These services accounted for 20 per cent of all processed transactions, contributing 7 per cent to the national digital transformation index."

 

Rabtah said the shift aligns with the department’s philosophy of “accessible justice”, aimed at reducing costs, time and effort for litigants.

 

Sharia courts handled around 135,000 cases in 2024, achieving a resolution rate of 97.3 per cent. The overall resolution rate, including newly filed and carried-over cases, reached 86 per cent, reflecting high operational efficiency despite a growing caseload.

 

In the area of Sharia enforcement, the department processed over 381,000 cases. It also facilitated the transfer of JD146 million via electronic family cards and disbursed an additional JD249 million in inheritance funds to beneficiaries through digital platforms.

 

Family Reconciliation Offices played a key role in preventing family breakdowns, resolving around 39,000 cases through mutual agreements and an additional 9,000 cases through mediation, thereby avoiding formal litigation and reinforcing social cohesion.

 

The Alimony Loan Fund supported more than 2,600 beneficiaries in 2024, with disbursements reaching JD2.34 million, a 12 per cent increase from the previous year, underscoring the fund’s importance in supporting vulnerable groups.

 

The report also underscored the role of the Sharia Public Prosecution in protecting the rights of women, children, the elderly, and individuals with limited legal capacity. In 2024, prosecutors handled 3,174 legal notifications and initiated 6,617 legal interventions, reflecting the prosecution’s central role in upholding social justice.

 

As part of its modernisation efforts, the department also announced the launch of its newly designed website, developed in coordination with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship. The platform aims to enhance digital services and strengthen communication between citizens and the government.

 

Rabtah also reiterated the department’s commitment to expanding digital infrastructure and streamlining services to ensure equitable access to justice and uphold human dignity across Jordanian society.