President Kaïs Saïed meets with Minister of Justice to discuss judiciary role and law enforcement

President Kaïs Saïed met with Minister of Justice Leïla Jaffel on Saturday morning, July 8, 2023, to discuss the role of the judiciary in applying the law equally to all and the role of the public prosecutor in pursuing legal action against anyone who threatens the security of the state and society. The meeting, as stated in a press release from Carthage, emphasized the need to promptly resolve ongoing cases, as it is unacceptable for cases to remain open for years under the pretext of respecting procedures. The document also highlighted that procedures were designed to ensure a fair trial and should not be used as an excuse to evade responsibility and punishment, as has happened for over a decade. “What happened in the past is no longer acceptable and cannot continue,” the press release stated.

During the meeting, they also discussed the progress of studies on the preparation of a draft law to revise Article 411 of the Commercial Code. The aim of the proposed law is to protect the rights of creditors while allowing those who issued checks without sufficient funds to rectify their situation. According to the Central Bank of Tunisia, 98,904 checks were rejected in the first quarter of 2023.

It is worth noting that the General Legislation Committee of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People (ARP) held a hearing on the amendment of this article, where representatives of the business community were heard.

This meeting between President Saïed and Minister Jaffel highlights the government’s commitment to ensuring equal application of the law and addressing ongoing cases promptly. The proposed revision of the Commercial Code aims to protect the rights of creditors while holding individuals accountable for issuing checks without sufficient funds. The government’s efforts to strengthen the judiciary and promote a fair legal system are crucial for maintaining the security and stability of the state and society.

How does the meeting between President Saïed and Minister Jaffel contribute to ensuring the equal application of the law and addressing ongoing cases promptly?

President Kaïs Saïed held a meeting with Minister of Justice Leïla Jaffel on July 8, 2023, to discuss the judiciary’s role in upholding the law and prosecuting those who threaten the security of the state. A press release from Carthage highlighted the need to promptly resolve ongoing cases and emphasized that procedures should not be used to evade responsibility. The release expressed the government’s stance that past practices of avoiding accountability are no longer acceptable.

In addition to these important discussions, President Saïed and Minister Jaffel also addressed the progress of drafting a law to amend Article 411 of the Commercial Code. This proposed law aims to protect creditors’ rights while providing an opportunity for those who issued checks without sufficient funds to rectify their situation. Disturbingly, the Central Bank of Tunisia reported that 98,904 checks were rejected in the first quarter of 2023.

It should be noted that the General Legislation Committee of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People (ARP) held a hearing on this article, with input from representatives of the business community.

This meeting underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the equal application of the law and addressing ongoing cases promptly. The proposed revision of the Commercial Code aims to protect creditors while holding individuals accountable for inadequate checks. Strengthening the judiciary and promoting a fair legal system are vital for maintaining the security and stability of the state and society.