Established in 2008, Justice Center for Legal Aid is a not-for-profit and non-governmental organization that is registered with the Jordanian Societies Registry (Registration Number 2008201100001) under the affiliation of the Ministry of Justice.

In addition to complying with Jordanian law, JCLA’s governing documents require the organization to comply with the highest standards of good governance and financial transparency. In 2011 JCLA adopted a “Good Governance and Transparency at JCLA” policy, a key governing document that further demonstrates JCLA’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the organisation and the trust of JCLA’s stakeholders and beneficiaries.   

JCLA’s commitment to good governance and transparency can be found in all areas of the organization’s work:

1. OPERATIONAL MATTERS

• JCLA’s operational matters are underpinned by good governance principles of sharing responsibilities and balancing decision-making powers.  JCLA’s General Assembly elects its Board of Directors, who are responsible for the supervision of JCLA’s operations, the approval of its annual plans, and for the strategic direction of the organisation.  
• The Board also oversees the work of JCLA’s administrative team, which is headed by the Executive Director of the organization (who cannot be a member of the Board of Directors).   The Executive Director submits periodic operational reports to the Board of Directors on the work of the administrative team.  The Executive Director also periodically submits JCLA’s Financial and Annual Reports to the General Assembly for discussion and endorsement. To ensure transparency and accountability the Executive Director submits these reports in the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Justice and Jordan Society’s Registry.
• JCLA’s by-laws govern procurement, employment and contracting of skillful consultants and experts selected by an ad hoc committee. 

2. FINANCIAL MATTERS

  Record Keeping

• In line with JCLA’s commitment to carrying out quality financial monitoring and auditing processes, JCLA keeps an electronic copy of all relevant financial records.
• The Finance Unit at JCLA is responsible for JCLA’s financial record keeping, which uses an advanced electronic management system to carry out its work. This system also allows for internal and external auditing on JCLA’s accounts.

  Disbursements and Remunerations 

• Good governance also underpins JCLA’s financial policies regarding disbursements. The Executive Director has authority to solely sign and approve of any disbursement that are less than 1000 JDs. Any disbursement greater than 1000JD but less than 5000JDs must have the authorized signature of the Executive Director, the Treasurer, and all other Board members. In line with the principle of transparency, all of JCLA’s disbursements are traceable through bank cheques or money transfers and via an electronic bookkeeping system. This system requires all disbursement to be assigned to a recipient, whose full name must be recorded on JCLA’s electronic bookkeeping system. In accordance with JCLA’s policies, a disbursement can only be made if it aligns with JCLA’s objectives.
• JCLA’s policies also prohibit the organisation from spending more than 20% of its general funding on administrative expenses. This requirement ensures that JCLA’s core funding is allocated to its mission activities that include legal aid services, awareness raising, and advocacy.
• JCLA’s salary scales are determined in such a way that the highest salary is not higher than 10 times the lowest salary. This rule ensures that the salary scales applied by JCLA are based on best practices and guarantee pay equity between employees. The salary scales take into consideration job positions, hours of work, knowledge and work experience.

  External Auditing and Monitoring  

• The Finance unit is responsible for providing financial reports to external auditors and providing donors with detailed financial reports. JCLA provides detailed quarterly and annual financial report to its donors, who in turn are able to closely monitor JCLA’s management of its funds.
• A certified, independent auditor also reviews JCLA’s financial records on an annual basis. The international auditing firm “PKF”, which was appointed by the Board of Directors, carries out this work. Once audited, JCLA submits its financial records (including the audit report) to the Ministry of Justice for review. JCLA also publishes these records on its website.

3. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

• JCLA’s policies not only aim to ensure the organization does not create conflicts of interest, but also outline how to identify and manage conflicts of interest should they occur.
• JCLA’s procurement policy aims to ensure the organization does not sign contracts with any person or company that is related or associated to a member of the Board including their spouses and other relatives up to the fourth degree.
• JCLA’s operational policy does not allow JCLA to engage the services of any of its Board members.  JCLA may engage the services of any member of the General Assembly on the condition that the appointment is approved by all General Assembly members, including by the representatives of the Ministry of Justice and Jordan Society’s Registry.
• JCLA’s financial policy also does not allow for the organization to disburse any money to any members of the Board of Directors.

4. FUNDRAISING AND DONATIONS

• To ensure JCLA receives funding from donors who have substantial integrity and align with JCLA’s vision, JCLA’s operational policy does not allow the organisation to seek funding from unknown donors or donors who do not share JCLA’s core objectives.  JCLA carries out substantive background reviews prior to seeking funding from a donor to ensure compliance with this policy.  
• JCLA’s operational policy also does not allow the organisation to seek or receive any amount of funding from entities or organizations that have a history of corruption, money laundering, terrorism, or any other suspicious activities.
• JCLA financial policy does not allow JCLA to accept any conditional donations. This requirement does not apply to project management and quality assurance conditions set by donors to ensure quality implementation of project activities.
• JCLA does not accept cash donations.  In line with its commitment to transparency, the organization will only accept donations through bank cheques and money transfer into its bank accounts.