Arab Jurists Law

The Middle East judicial system is unique because this area has been occupied and influenced by different powers and rulers over the last century, which shaped today's legal and judiciary systems. Ottoman, British, Jordanian, Egyptian law is all still enforceable in parallel with international law. To understand the components of the current judiciary system in Middle East, we need to review, in brief, the background of the legal system in Middle East throughout history. As part of the Ottoman State from 1516 to 1917, Middle East was subject to Ottoman law. The Ottoman legal system was a compilation of Islamic and French law.

The British occupation over these countries from 1917 to 1948 maintained the Ottoman laws but added a new set of laws based on the common law system. At the end of the British Mandate in 1948, the legal system of some countries became a mixture of Islamic law, French law and the common law systems.

High Authority Council for Arab Jurists (HAAJ) - AAS

Council is the highest governance organ of the AAS legal Section, determining its strategy and policy, and deciding on the allocation of resources to its various programs.

Council consists of 5 members and can co-opt up to ten further members.

The Bye-Laws make provision for a geographical spread of Council members between the Middle East countries for a balance between members in practice and members in business.

Council usually meets every 4 months but more frequent meetings can be called if the need arises

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