The Kingdom needs 3,000 judges to operate effectively, according to Dr. Saleh Bin Abdullah Bin Humaid, Chairman of the Supreme Judiciary Council. He stressed that King Abdullah's judiciary reform program, for which SR9 billion has been allocated, will help to increase job openings for judges. He said graduates were reluctant to join the judiciary because of the high standards required. He said about 1,500 qualified and trained judges will soon start work at the courts. He added that the specialist courts system will be applied as soon as the pleading system, which has been referred to the Experts Commission at the Council of Ministers, has been completed. He denied rumors of differences and problems between the Supreme Judiciary Council and judges in various parts of the Kingdom. “The Council is trying to cope with the developments within the King's judiciary reform project,” he said. Al-Humaid made these comments at an event honoring newly appointed judges.
