Jordan Arbitration Law No. 31 of 2001 and Its Amendments

Jordan’s Arbitration Law is Law No. 31 of 2001, as amended. It governs arbitration agreements, arbitral tribunals, procedures, awards, annulment, and enforcement. Important amendments were introduced in 2018, while the 2026 amendment discussed in this guide remains a legislative proposal rather than law currently in force.

What Is the Jordan Arbitration Law and What Are Its Latest Amendments?

Arbitration Law No. 31 of 2001 replaced Arbitration Law No. 18 of 1953 and became the principal legislation governing arbitration in Jordan. The law was amended in 2018 by Law No. 16 of 2018 and Law No. 41 of 2018.

In 2026, the Council of Ministers approved the reasons for a proposed new amendment to the Arbitration Law. The proposal includes provisions relating to the establishment of a Jordan International Arbitration Center. Until the legislative process is completed, the provisions currently in force should be distinguished from those contained in the proposed amendment.

Requirements for a Valid Arbitration Agreement in Jordan

An arbitration agreement is valid when it satisfies the requirements established by Jordanian law. In particular, the parties must have legal capacity, the dispute must concern a matter that is capable of settlement, and the arbitration agreement must be in writing. The parties may agree to arbitration either before or after a dispute arises.

• The parties entering into the agreement must have legal capacity.
• The dispute must concern a matter capable of settlement.
• The arbitration agreement must be in writing.
• If arbitration is agreed after a dispute has arisen, the subject matter of the dispute must be specifically identified.

When an arbitration clause is drafted before a dispute arises, it should be considered together with the contract as a whole. Issues such as the scope of arbitration, seat of arbitration, appointment of arbitrators, procedural rules, governing law, and language may affect how a future dispute is handled.

Does an Arbitration Agreement Have to Be in Writing in Jordan?

Yes. Article 10 of Jordan’s Arbitration Law requires an arbitration agreement to be in writing; otherwise, it is invalid. The writing requirement may be satisfied through a signed document, written or electronic correspondence, or other written communications proving receipt. It may also be satisfied through contractual reference to another document containing an arbitration clause where the statutory requirements are met.

Can Parties Agree to Arbitration After a Dispute Has Arisen?

Yes. Article 11 allows parties to agree to arbitration after a dispute has arisen, even if court proceedings concerning the dispute have already been filed. In that situation, however, the subject matter referred to arbitration must be specifically identified; otherwise, the arbitration agreement is invalid.

When Is an Arbitration Clause Invalid in Jordan?

An arbitration agreement or clause may be invalid in circumstances identified by Jordan’s Arbitration Law. Examples discussed in this guide include:

• No valid written arbitration agreement exists.
• The dispute concerns a matter that cannot legally be settled.
• The dispute is not specifically identified when arbitration is agreed after the dispute has arisen.
• A pre-dispute arbitration agreement is contained in a consumer contract prepared on a pre-printed standard form.
• A pre-dispute arbitration agreement is contained in an employment contract.

Does an Invalid Contract Automatically Invalidate the Arbitration Clause?

Not necessarily. Jordanian arbitration law treats the arbitration clause as an agreement independent from the other terms of the contract. As a result, invalidity, rescission, or termination of the underlying contract does not automatically invalidate the arbitration clause if the arbitration agreement itself remains valid.

Arbitration Procedures Under Jordanian Law

Jordan’s Arbitration Law gives the parties significant freedom to agree on the procedures governing their arbitration. Where no agreement exists, the arbitral tribunal manages the proceedings within the framework of the law while maintaining impartiality, equality between the parties, and a fair opportunity for each party to present its claim or defense.

1. Formation of the Arbitral Tribunal

The parties may agree on the number of arbitrators and the method of appointment. If they do not agree on the number, the tribunal consists of three arbitrators. Where more than one arbitrator is appointed, the number must be odd.

2. Commencement of Arbitration Proceedings

Unless the parties agree otherwise, arbitration proceedings begin on the date when the formation of the arbitral tribunal is completed.

3. Determining the Procedural Rules

The parties may agree on the procedures governing submissions, evidence, and arguments, including by referring to the rules of an arbitration institution inside or outside Jordan. The arbitral tribunal may issue a procedural order setting out the procedure and timetable while taking the parties’ agreement into account.

4. Written Submissions, Evidence and Hearings

The claimant submits its statement of claim and the respondent submits its response within the periods agreed by the parties or determined by the tribunal. Hearings may be held for oral arguments, witnesses, or expert evidence, while written-only proceedings may be used where permitted.

5. Issuance of the Arbitral Award

After the proceedings are completed, the arbitral tribunal issues its award within the period agreed by the parties. Where no period has been agreed, Article 37 provides an original period of twelve months from the date on which the formation of the tribunal is completed, subject to the rules governing extensions.

If you are involved in an arbitration dispute and need legal representation during these proceedings, an arbitration lawyer in Jordan can assist with reviewing the arbitration agreement, preparing claims or defenses, presenting evidence, hearings, and post-award procedures.

What Law Does the Arbitral Tribunal Apply to the Dispute?

The arbitral tribunal applies the rules of law agreed by the parties. If the parties choose the law of a particular country, the tribunal applies the substantive rules of that law rather than its conflict-of-laws rules. If no governing law has been agreed, the tribunal applies the law it considers most closely connected to the dispute, while taking into account the contract and relevant commercial practices.

Types of Arbitration in Jordan

Arbitration in Jordan can be described in different ways depending on the location, nature of the dispute, and manner in which proceedings are administered. Common distinctions include domestic and international arbitration, as well as institutional and ad hoc arbitration. These are practical classifications rather than an exhaustive statutory list contained in a single provision.

• Domestic arbitration: Arbitration primarily connected with Jordan and conducted under the parties’ agreement and the applicable legal framework.
• International arbitration: Arbitration involving cross-border elements or international trade, potentially including parties, contracts, seats of arbitration, or enforcement in different countries.
• Institutional arbitration: Arbitration administered under the rules of an arbitration institution selected by the parties, while the arbitral tribunal remains responsible for deciding the dispute.
• Ad hoc arbitration: Arbitration conducted without a permanent arbitral institution, with the parties and tribunal determining the procedure under their agreement, the applicable law, and any selected rules.

Arbitrator Requirements and Formation of the Arbitral Tribunal in Jordan

The parties may agree for the arbitral tribunal to consist of one or more arbitrators. If they do not agree on the number, the tribunal consists of three arbitrators. Where more than one arbitrator is appointed, the number must be odd.

Jordanian law also regulates an arbitrator’s eligibility and requires disclosure of circumstances that may raise doubts concerning impartiality or independence. The law does not generally require an arbitrator to be of a particular gender or nationality unless the parties agree otherwise or another applicable legal rule provides otherwise.

Setting Aside an Arbitral Award in Jordan

An arbitral award is not challenged through the ordinary appeal procedures applicable to court judgments under Jordanian civil procedure rules. Instead, the Arbitration Law permits an action to set aside an arbitral award on specific grounds established by law.

These grounds may include defects in the arbitration agreement, formation of the arbitral tribunal, notification or the opportunity to present a defense, exceeding the scope of the arbitration agreement, and certain procedural defects affecting the proceedings or award. The court may also intervene on its own initiative where the award conflicts with public policy or concerns a matter that cannot legally be arbitrated.

• No valid written arbitration agreement exists.
• A party lacked the required legal capacity when entering the arbitration agreement.
• A party was unable to present its defense because of defective notification or circumstances beyond its control.
• The arbitral tribunal was formed contrary to the law or the parties’ agreement.
• The award exceeded the scope of the arbitration agreement.
• The award conflicts with public policy.
• The award concerns a matter that cannot legally be submitted to arbitration.

What Is the Deadline for Setting Aside an Arbitral Award in Jordan?

Enforcement of Arbitral Awards in Jordan

Arbitral awards issued under Jordan’s Arbitration Law have res judicata effect and are enforceable in accordance with the law. However, an application for enforcement is not accepted before the deadline for filing an action to set aside the award has expired.

According to the legal framework described in this guide, an enforcement application is submitted to the Court of Cassation together with the documents required by law.

• A copy of the arbitration agreement.
• The original arbitral award or a signed copy.
• A certified Arabic translation if the award was issued in another language.

Enforcement may be refused in circumstances provided by law, including where the award conflicts with public policy or was not properly notified.

Was Jordan’s Arbitration Law Amended in 2026?

As of August 2026, the official update discussed in this guide concerns a proposed amendment to the Arbitration Law rather than a new amending law currently in force. The Council of Ministers approved the reasons for the proposed legislation, which includes proposals concerning a Jordan International Arbitration Center and development of Jordan’s institutional arbitration framework.

Accordingly, the law currently described as in force in this guide remains Arbitration Law No. 31 of 2001, as amended.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Jordan Arbitration Law

Conclusion

Jordan’s Arbitration Law No. 31 of 2001, as amended, governs arbitration agreements, formation of arbitral tribunals, arbitration proceedings, arbitral awards, applications to set aside awards, and enforcement.

Reviewing the law currently in force is particularly important when assessing the validity of an arbitration clause, procedural deadlines, the possibility of setting aside an award, or the requirements for enforcement.

It is also important to distinguish amendments already in force from the proposed 2026 amendment that remains within the legislative process. If an arbitration dispute has already arisen and legal representation is required, the contract, arbitration clause, claims, procedural stage, and available documents should be reviewed together before deciding on the appropriate strategy.

Official Sources

• Jordanian Ministry of Justice – Arbitration Law and the Development of Arbitration Legislation in Jordan
• Jordanian Official Gazette – Law No. 16 of 2018 Amending the Arbitration Law
• Jordanian Prime Ministry – Proposed 2026 Amendment to the Arbitration Law