What Civil Law Governs

Civil law in Jordan, codified under the Civil Code No. 43 of 1976, forms the backbone of private legal relations. It governs obligations and rights arising between individuals and entities in their personal and commercial dealings. The Code outlines general principles of liability, compensation, contractual freedom and its limits, property ownership, and succession.

It is the law that touches everyone’s life, from signing a lease or a purchase agreement, to claiming compensation for harm, or securing inheritance rights.

Key Areas We Handle

• Contracts and obligations: drafting, reviewing, and enforcing contracts; handling breach of contract disputes; advising on obligations, conditions, and nullity.

• Civil liability and compensation: pursuing claims for damages arising from negligence, wrongful acts, or contractual breaches; defending against liability claims.

• Property rights: ownership and possession disputes; easements and usufruct; transfer of property; rights in rem.

• Lease and tenancy matters: negotiating and drafting lease agreements; representing clients in rental disputes, eviction claims, and rent adjustment cases.

• Enforcement and debt collection: judicial enforcement of judgments; recovery of debts through civil proceedings; interim measures and precautionary attachments.

Our Approach

We approach civil cases with a balance of legal precision and practical strategy. Our team assesses each matter in light of Civil Code principles, court precedents, and evolving judicial practice.

• Prevention: structuring contracts and arrangements to avoid disputes.

• Resolution: prioritising negotiation and mediation to save clients time and cost.

• Litigation: where necessary, representing clients before all levels of the Jordanian courts.

The Law That Applies

Civil disputes in Jordan are decided under the Civil Code No. 43 of 1976 and heard under the Civil Procedure Law No. 24 of 1988. Judgments are enforced through the execution departments under the Execution Law No. 25 of 2007, and many civil cases are referred to court-annexed mediation under the Mediation for Settlement of Civil Disputes Law No. 12 of 2006.

How an Engagement Runs

Every engagement starts with a conflict check and a confidential first meeting. We then confirm the scope, the team and the fee basis in writing before any work begins, as set out on our Fees & Engagement page.

• Assessment: we review the documents, the evidence and the limitation position, and give a candid view of the options.

• Resolution: where it serves the client, we pursue negotiation or mediation before proceedings.

• Litigation: we prepare and present the case before the competent court, and handle appeals.

• Enforcement: we take the steps needed to turn a judgment into recovery.

Questions Clients Ask

How long does a civil case take in Jordan?

It depends on the court, the complexity of the evidence, whether experts are appointed and whether the judgment is appealed. Straightforward claims can conclude well within a year, while complex cases take longer. We give an estimate for the specific case once we have reviewed it.

Can a debt be recovered without a full lawsuit?

Often, yes. Some debts supported by documents such as cheques or signed acknowledgements can be enforced more directly through the execution department, and precautionary measures can protect assets while a claim is pursued. Whether these routes are available depends on the documents held.