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Browse our 4 legal questions in Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the lawyer answers, or ask your own questions for free.
Hello,Under Jordanian Personal Status Law, the mother is the first and primary person entitled to child custody after a divorce, regardless of her religion. The fact that the father is Muslim and the mother is Christian does not affect her...
Read full answerHello and welcome, thank you for reaching out, and I’m glad to assist you with your questions. In Islam, a Christian wife enjoys the same essential rights as a Muslim wife. She has the right to mahr (dower), maintenance, clothing,...
Read full answerHello and welcome,Thank you for reaching out, and I’m glad to assist you with your questions.In Islam, a Christian wife enjoys the same essential rights as a Muslim wife. She has the right to mahr (dower), maintenance, clothing, and a...
Read full answerHiring a lawyer in Aqaba follows much the same process as in other Jordanian governorates. Start by identifying lawyers or law firms that handle the area of law you need - for example real estate and ASEZA regulations, commercial contracts, family law, or criminal defense. Contact the lawyer or firm to request an initial consultation. At the first meeting you should describe the facts, provide any documents, and ask about fees and the likely steps. If you and the lawyer agree to work together, you will normally sign a written engagement or retainer agreement and, if needed, sign a power of attorney to allow the lawyer to act on your behalf in court or on government procedures. Always confirm that the lawyer is licensed to practice in Jordan and is in good standing with the local legal profession.
People in Aqaba commonly seek legal help for a range of matters. Typical situations include:
- Real estate purchases, sales, leases, land registration, and disputes involving property in Aqaba or the Aqaba Special Economic Zone.
- Business formation, corporate governance, commercial contracts, licensing in ASEZA, and regulatory compliance.
- Employment and labor disputes - hiring, termination, severance, social security and labor inspection matters.
- Family matters - divorce, child custody, inheritance and succession issues, often involving personal-status rules.
- Criminal matters - representation before the public prosecutor and courts if arrested or charged.
- Traffic accidents and insurance claims - negotiating with insurers and pursuing liability claims.
- Administrative law matters - disputes with government departments, permits, licensing and appeals.
- Cross-border and maritime issues - shipping, port operations, customs and enforcement at Aqaba port.
- Consumer disputes and debt recovery - enforcing contracts and court judgments.
Understanding the local legal context helps you choose the right lawyer and approach. Key points to know:
- Legal system and courts - Jordan applies a civil law system with codified statutes. Courts include Courts of First Instance, Courts of Appeal, and the Court of Cassation. Administrative disputes may go to administrative courts. Personal-status matters for Muslims are generally decided by Sharia courts; other recognized religions have their own tribunals for personal-status questions.
- Licensing and regulation - Lawyers in Jordan must be admitted to practice and are subject to professional rules set by national bar bodies. Confirm a lawyer's credentials and standing before engaging.
- ASEZA and local rules - Aqaba hosts the Aqaba Special Economic Zone - ASEZA - which has specific regulations for business, land use and investment. These rules can differ from general national regulations, so local or specialized counsel is often needed for business and real-estate matters.
- Language and documentation - Arabic is the official language for courts and government procedures. Official documents and filings are usually in Arabic, so certified translations may be required for foreign-language documents.
- Procedure and deadlines - Court and administrative processes have formal procedural steps and strict deadlines. Missing filings or response periods can negatively affect a case, so timely legal assistance is important.
- Fees and agreements - Fees can be agreed as fixed fees, hourly rates, or other arrangements. Fee standards and practices are influenced by professional rules and customary practice. Ask for a clear written fee agreement before work begins.
Ask to see the lawyer's license or registration card, and ask whether the lawyer is a member in good standing of the Jordanian bar organization. You can also contact national or local bar authorities for confirmation. Most reputable firms will provide clear proof of credentials.
Costs vary by type of matter, lawyer experience and the fee arrangement. Some matters have predictable fixed fees, while litigation often uses hourly rates or stage-based fees. Always request a written engagement letter that explains fees, retainer amounts and billing frequency.
Yes. Foreign individuals and companies can retain Jordanian lawyers to handle local matters, file documents and represent them in Jordanian courts and before government agencies. Non-Jordanians should ensure documents requiring local formalities are notarized and translated into Arabic if necessary.
Either can be appropriate. For matters governed by ASEZA rules, property close to Aqaba or local courts, a lawyer with Aqaba experience is often advantageous. For complex corporate or constitutional matters, you may prefer a firm with specific expertise even if based in Amman. Many firms collaborate across locations.
A power of attorney authorizes a lawyer to perform specified actions on your behalf - for example to file court documents, attend hearings or sign official papers. Courts and government bodies often require a signed and notarized power of attorney for a lawyer to act for you. Ask your lawyer when a power of attorney is needed.
Timelines depend on the type of matter - simple administrative procedures may take weeks, civil litigation can take many months or longer, and complex commercial or enforcement matters can span years. Your lawyer should provide a realistic timeline and update you on progress and delays.
Yes. Communications between you and your lawyer are generally protected as confidential under professional rules. This confidentiality covers strategy, documents and privileged communications, except where disclosure is required by law or to prevent serious harm.
Yes. You can change lawyers, but check your engagement letter for notice and fee provisions. If the lawyer has started work, you may still be responsible for fees for services already rendered. Where a case is in court, the court may need to be notified and a formal substitution of counsel completed.
Bring any contracts, correspondence, court notices, identification, registration documents, police reports, medical reports, and anything else relevant to the dispute. If documents are not in Arabic, bring certified translations or ask whether they are needed for the first meeting.
If you cannot afford private counsel, ask about legal-aid services provided by government programs, bar association pro bono services, or local legal aid clinics. Some law firms and NGOs offer limited pro bono help for qualifying individuals and public-interest matters.
Below are governmental bodies and organizations that can help with legal information, referrals or administrative processes. Contact them directly for official guidance.
- Ministry of Justice - national oversight of justice matters and some public legal aid services.
- Jordanian Bar Association - professional organization for lawyers and a resource for verifying credentials and seeking referrals.
- Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority - for rules, permits and licensing specific to the Aqaba economic zone.
- Local courts and court administration in Aqaba - for filings, schedules and procedural requirements relevant to court cases.
- Embassy or consular services - if you are a foreign national needing consular assistance or advice about legal rights and local procedures.
- Local NGOs and legal aid clinics - for limited-scope assistance, mediation and pro bono referrals, especially in family, labor and consumer matters.
Follow these steps if you need legal assistance in Aqaba:
1 - Identify the type of legal help you need - for example litigation, contract drafting, license application, or defense representation.
2 - Prepare a concise summary of your situation and gather all relevant documents and identification.
3 - Contact two or three lawyers or firms with relevant experience and request an initial consultation - ask about experience, likely steps, estimated costs and expected timeline.
4 - Verify credentials and ask for a written engagement letter that details fees, scope of work, confidentiality and termination terms.
5 - Sign any necessary power of attorney or retainer documentation and provide the lawyer with the documents and information needed for immediate action.
6 - Stay engaged - ask for regular updates, confirm deadlines, and respond promptly to requests from your lawyer to avoid delays.
7 - If you have concerns about performance or fees, raise them early with your lawyer. If unresolved, consider contacting the local bar authority or a consumer-protection office for mediation.
This guide provides general information only and is not a substitute for personalized legal advice. For case-specific guidance, consult a qualified lawyer licensed to practice in Jordan.
