Constitutional Court says disputed laws can be changed at joint House sessions

By JT - Mar 17,2014 - Last updated at Mar 17,2014

AMMAN — The Constitutional Court on Monday issued a verdict saying that the two Houses of Parliament can deliberate over provisions of disputed laws during joint sessions and adopt new suggestions, not just vote to endorse or reject them.

The verdict came upon a request from the Lower House for an interpretation of Article 92 of the Constitution, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

The article 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.

Acceptance of the draft law shall be conditional upon the passing of a resolution by a two-thirds majority of the members of both Houses present.” The court said the required majority is two-thirds of the total attendance at the joint session.

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