The proposal, submitted by five Shura members, was found to contradict with the authority of the Supreme Judiciary Council (SDC), which selects those it entrusts with looking after beneficiaries’ money or property.
Courts assign custodians to look after disputes between two or more persons over who should get the money or property.
The council’s legislative and legal affairs committee backed the proposal, saying it would relieve and protect beneficiaries.
But Minister of State for Shura Council and Parliament Affairs Abdulaziz Al Fadhel said the proposal was a clear violation of the constitution, as it intervened with the authorities of judges.
"The judge has the authority to select those he feels can be entrusted with beneficiaries’ money and property. This process will be affected if we employ regular people to fill such posts at the directorate," he said.
Justice and Islamic Affairs Ministry Assistant Under-Secretary for courts and documentation affairs Khalid Ajjaji said the ministry sympathised with some beneficiaries whose inheritance was drained by unscrupulous individuals.
"We are doing our best in co-operation with the SDC to ensure that custodians don’t misuse their authorities. There are some cases in which custodians have been relieved of their duties by judges," he said.
"Forming the directorate would create confusion, since the authority would be lost between the SDC and the ministry."
Mr Ajjaji said those with grievances could always write to the court, which would investigate if there was any misuse by the custodian or not.
"We can’t hire full-time, qualified custodians for the directorate because this requires specialised people in finance or property management, who could be really entrusted to protect the money, and not regular employees," he said.
"The custodians can’t use the money or property and their fees are calculated by the judges from the disputed money, whenever the problem between those in the conflict is over.
