The legal system of Jordan
A civil-law system on the Egyptian and French model, with the Civil Code of 1976 drawing directly on Sanhuri's work and on the Ottoman Mecelle for its Islamic content. Personal status is separated by religion: sharia courts have exclusive jurisdiction over Muslims' marriage, divorce, custody and inheritance, and recognised Christian denominations run their own councils for their members. Commercial law has been extensively modernised to support the Aqaba Special Economic Zone and the development zones, which have their own regulatory and tax regimes layered on national law.
Legal tradition
Jordan belongs to the civil law with islamic law influence tradition. A civil-law system on the Egyptian and French model, with the Civil Code of 1976 drawing directly on Sanhuri's work and on the Ottoman Mecelle for its Islamic content. Personal status is separated by religion: sharia courts have exclusive jurisdiction over Muslims' marriage, divorce, custody and inheritance, and recognised Christian denominations run their own councils for their members. Commercial law has been extensively modernised to support the Aqaba Special Economic Zone and the development zones, which have their own regulatory and tax regimes layered on national law.
How power is divided
Unitary, with twelve governorates administered by centrally appointed governors and elected municipal and governorate councils. The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority holds delegated regulatory powers within its area, which functions as a limited territorial carve-out rather than devolution.
Where law comes from
- The 1952 Constitution
- As amended; Article 128 limits restriction of rights by law.
- Laws of the National Assembly
- Require royal ratification and publication in the Official Gazette.
- Regulations
- Issued by the Council of Ministers with royal approval; subordinate to statute.
- The Civil Code 1976
- Egyptian and Mecelle-influenced codification of private law.
- Sharia
- Applied by sharia courts to Muslims' personal status; the Mecelle informs civil interpretation.
The legal profession
A single profession of lawyers admitted by the Jordan Bar Association after a law degree and a two-year traineeship, with compulsory membership and a graded right of audience by seniority. The Bar is self-governing and disciplines its members. Sharia court advocacy is a separate licensed track, and notarial functions are performed by court-based notaries public rather than an independent notariat.
Law by topic in Jordan
- Criminal LawThe Penal Code 1960, with state security courts alongside the ordinary systemThe Penal Code No. 16 of 1960 is the general criminal statute. The State Security Court, a partly military tribunal, retains jurisdiction over terrorism, espionage and drug offences. The death penalty is retained and occasionally carried out.
- Tax LawA 20 per cent general corporate rate, sector-specific higher rates, and 16 per cent sales taxCorporate income tax is 20 per cent generally, with higher rates for banks, telecommunications, insurance and mining. General sales tax, functioning as a VAT, is levied at a standard 16 per cent.
- Family LawSharia courts for Muslims, recognised church tribunals for ChristiansPersonal status for Muslims is governed by the Personal Status Law 2019 and administered by Sharia courts. Recognised Christian denominations administer their own personal status through church tribunals.
- Employment & LabourThe Labour Law 1996, amended in 2019 to strengthen equal pay and flexible workLabour Law No. 8 of 1996 governs private employment. The 2019 amendments prohibited pay discrimination, regulated flexible working and extended coverage to previously excluded categories including agricultural workers.
- Property & LandA reliable Torrens-influenced register, with reciprocity-based foreign ownershipTitle is registered with the Department of Land and Survey under a system of registered title. Foreign nationals may own property subject to Cabinet approval and reciprocity with their home state.
- Civil ProcedureCourts of first instance, appeal, and the Court of CassationCivil claims proceed from conciliation or first instance courts to courts of appeal and then to the Court of Cassation. Mediation is available and increasingly encouraged.
- Business & CorporateCompanies Law 1997, and development zones as the main investment vehicleCompanies are registered under the Companies Law No. 22 of 1997. The Investment Law 2022 consolidated incentives, and the Aqaba Special Economic Zone and development zones offer distinct tax and customs regimes.
- Immigration & NationalityEmployer-sponsored permits, and a refugee population among the largest per capita anywhereResidence and work permits are governed by the 1973 Residence and Foreigners Affairs Law and tied to an employer. Jordan hosts very large Syrian and Palestinian refugee populations without being a party to the Refugee Convention.
- Constitutional LawA hereditary constitutional monarchy with a strong CrownThe 1952 Constitution establishes a hereditary monarchy with an appointed Senate and elected House of Representatives. The King appoints the Prime Minister, may dissolve parliament, and retains substantial reserved powers. A Constitutional Court was created in 2012.
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