Almotamar.net - The Higher Judiciary Council chaired by Head of the Supreme Court Judge Issam Abdulwahab al-Samawi approved Monday the first chapter of the Judiciary Power draft law which the council began discussing t on Monday and would continue discussion of the rest parts of the law in its upcoming session.

The first chapter articles of the law stipulate the general principles mentioning that the judicial power is independent legally, financially and administratively and the general prosecution is one of its bodies and courts undertake deciding all disputes and crimes. The articles also stipulate that judiciary is independent and there is no power on it in their judgment but the law and no party dares and in any form to interfere in the issues or any of justice affairs as interference is considered \ crime punishable by the law.

The articles also stipulate that litigants are equal before judiciary whatever their positions and descriptions are and right of defence is guaranteed at all stages of investigation and trial and the state guarantees juice support for those unable to bear the cost according to the law. Sittings of trial are public unless the court decides to make it secret and in all events announcement of the verdict will be in a public session.

The Higher Judiciary Council also approved the draft budget of the judicial power for the year 2008.