Arbitration Law
Jordanian Arbitration Law up to 2026
A concise overview of the Jordanian Arbitration Law (2001) as amended through 2026, including the 2017 and 2018 amendments, covering scope, tribunal formation, procedural rules and arbitral awards. The summary highlights practical provisions on the written-form requirement for arbitration agreements, court assistance and limits, evidence and procedural conduct, grounds for annulment and enforcement procedures.
Updated: 24 March 2026
Prepared and reviewed by: Ashraf Al-Khawaja
Scope of Application and Limits on Court Intervention
The Law applies to consensual arbitration seated in Jordan and to arbitrations expressly submitted to it, covering civil and commercial disputes while recognizing international trade usages. Judicial intervention is limited to cases expressly provided by the Law; nonetheless, the competent court may assist the arbitral tribunal (for example, by summoning witnesses, ordering production of documents, or granting interim measures). The statute further clarifies that arbitration clauses may be agreed before or after a dispute arises and that parties’ choice of law and international practices are to be respected.
Arbitration Agreement: Form and Practical Effects
The Law requires the arbitration clause to be in writing to be valid; this includes signed documents, written or electronic correspondence that constitute a record of agreement. References in the main contract to external documents containing an arbitration clause are treated as written agreements unless expressly excluded. The statute also carves out specific restrictions for pre-printed consumer contracts and employment contracts in certain cases. The separability principle is affirmed: an invalidity of the main contract does not automatically invalidate a valid arbitration clause.
Constitution of the Tribunal, Challenges and Replacement
Parties may agree the number of arbitrators and appointment method; absent agreement, the tribunal consists of three arbitrators and must be of odd number. The Law details appointments by parties or by the competent judge when a party defaults or the appointed co-arbitrators fail to agree. Arbitrators must disclose circumstances affecting impartiality and may only be challenged for serious reasons. If an arbitrator cannot perform, resigns, dies or is removed, a substitute is appointed following the same appointment rules, and the competent court can step in to effect appointments where necessary.
Procedural Rules, Arbitral Award, Annulment and Enforcement
The Law emphasizes neutrality and equal opportunity in proceedings, allowing parties and the tribunal to set procedural rules, language and seat subject to specific provisions on pleadings, document exchange, witnesses and experts. Awards must be reasoned and signed; the default period to render an award is twelve months from tribunal constitution, extendable by up to a further twelve months unless parties agree otherwise, and the competent judge may grant additional time or terminate proceedings. Ordinary appellate remedies are not available against arbitral awards; annulment actions before the Court of Cassation are permitted for enumerated grounds (for example, lack of a written agreement, incapacity at the time of agreement, defective notification, excess of jurisdiction, breach of public policy). Enforcement may not be sought until the annulment period lapses; enforcement petitions are filed with the Court of Cassation and must include the arbitration agreement and the award (with certified Arabic translation if necessary).
Legal notice
Notice: This summary is for general educational purposes and is based on the law text and its amendments up to 2026; the original source is linked on the page. You should verify the official promulgated text, subsequent amendments and applicable deadlines. This summary does not substitute for advice from a licensed Jordanian attorney.
Sources and references
Verify the official text and latest amendments before relying on this material professionally.