Contracts and Powers of Attorney in Jordan: A Guide Before Signing

A clear contract records what the parties agreed and reduces uncertainty about payment, duration and performance, General wording or verbal promises missing from the signed document can make it harder to establish what the parties intended if a dispute arises.

The text published by the Jordan Bar Association lists preparing contracts and the required procedures among a lawyer’s professional functions, alongside providing legal consultations.

There is no single form suitable for every transaction, Commercial, service, lease and sale agreements may have different rules and requirements depending on their subject, the parties and the authority that will receive them.

Before signing, check that the parties and their capacities are correctly identified, the subject and scope of work or sale are clearly described, and the price, payment method, duration and delivery or performance dates are stated.

Also review delay, breach, termination, notice and dispute-resolution provisions, and confirm that referenced schedules are attached, Do not leave blanks in a signed copy, Record any material change or promise in writing.

If a party is a company, verify its registered name, the signatory’s authority and the limits of that authority, The Ministry of Justice’s power-of-attorney requirements for a company or institution include proof that the representative is authorized to sign.

Do not assume that every contract must be made before a notary, or that a signature alone will satisfy every transaction, Formalities may depend on the subject of the transaction, the applicable special law and the requirements of the receiving authority.

Before relying on a document, ask the authority that will receive it whether it requires a certified power of attorney, registration or specific supporting documents, The Ministry of Justice lists separate services for general and special powers of attorney, with service-specific legislation and requirements.

A special power of attorney is generally connected to a specified task or act, while a general power may grant broader authority, The wording should match what the principal actually intends to authorize; do not choose broad wording merely because a general form is readily available.

State the permitted acts clearly, such as visiting a named authority, signing a particular document or following up on a transaction, Pay special attention to authority to sell or transfer property, mortgage, receive money, make admissions, settle or appoint a substitute, and include such powers only when they are intended and understood.

If a power is described as irrevocable or concerns real estate, do not rely on the document’s heading alone, The Ministry of Justice lists a separate service and requirements for these cases, and additional documents may depend on the transaction.

The Ministry of Justice states that its general and special power-of-attorney services are governed by the Civil Code No. 43 of 1976 and its amendments, the Notary Public Law No. 11 of 1952 and its amendments, and rules specific to the transaction.

The service requirements include identity documents and the principal’s appearance, or that of a lawful representative, If the principal is a company or institution, evidence of the signatory’s authority is required, For an authority relating to real estate, the Ministry lists a recent title deed issued on the transaction date among the required documents.

The checklist and procedure may vary with the principal’s status, the type of power and the authority where it will be used, Check the official service page or the notary before attending, and do not rely on an old checklist or fees from an outdated source.

Common mistakes include signing without reading every page, relying only on a verbal summary, leaving the term or termination process unclear, or giving an agent powers they do not need, Keep a signed copy, its attachments, payment records and relevant correspondence.

Where a contract involves a substantial amount, real estate, a personal guarantee or broad authority, reviewing the text and supporting documents before signing can identify issues that need clarification or negotiation, It cannot guarantee the outcome of a future dispute.

Procedural and document references are based on the Jordan Ministry of Justice’s published general and special power-of-attorney service pages, The Ministry lists Civil Code No. 43 of 1976 and Notary Public Law No. 11 of 1952, as amended, among the governing legislation, The article also links to the Ministry’s legislation listing and the Bar Association’s published text of its law.

This article is general information, not a substitute for checking the law in force, transaction requirements and documents relevant to an individual case, Notarization or registration depends on the transaction, applicable law and competent authority.