Cost of Hiring a Lawyer in Jordan
A Practical Guide to Legal Fees, Court Costs, and Legal Expenses
Understanding the cost of hiring a lawyer in Jordan is an important step for individuals and businesses who may need the assistance of a law firm in Jordan to handle legal matters in the country.
• The Jordanian Bar Association Law
• The Civil Procedure Law / in Jordan
• The Code of Professional Ethics for Lawyers/ in Jordan
• The Sharia Lawyers Law/ in Jordan
This guide explains how lawyer fees are regulated under Jordanian law, how courts deal with lawyer fees, and what clients should expect when hiring a lawyer in Jordan.
For reference, 1 Jordanian Dinar is approximately equal to 1.41 USD.
If you need legal assistance in Jordan, you may contact Arida & Partners Law Firm.
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Lawyer Fees Under the Jordanian Bar Association Law
The main legislation governing lawyer fees in Jordan is the Jordanian Bar Association Law.
According to Article 46 of the Jordanian Bar Association Law, lawyer fees are primarily determined through an agreement between the lawyer and the client.
The law provides the following:
Article (46) – Jordanian Bar Association Law :
1. A lawyer shall receive fees according to the agreement concluded between the lawyer and the client, provided that such fees shall not exceed 25% of the real value of the disputed claim, except in exceptional circumstances determined by the Bar Association Council. 2. If the lawyer’s fees are not determined through a written agreement, the competent committees of the Bar Association shall determine such fees after hearing both parties and taking into consideration the effort made by the lawyer, the importance of the case, and other relevant factors. 3. If additional lawsuits arise from the original dispute that were not foreseen in the agreement, the lawyer may claim additional fees for such matters. 4. Upon request of the prevailing party, the court may order the losing party to pay lawyer fees. In the court of first instance, such fees shall not be less than 5% of the amount awarded in the judgment and shall not exceed 1,000 Jordanian Dinars (approximately 1,410 USD), regardless of the value of the claim. In the appeal stage, the lawyer fees awarded shall not exceed half of the amount awarded in the first instance. This means that the agreement between the lawyer and the client remains the primary basis for determining lawyer fees, while the fees awarded by the court are usually limited and do not necessarily cover the full legal fees agreed between the parties. _
Court-Awarded Lawyer Fees Under Jordanian Law :
Jordanian courts may order the losing party in a lawsuit to pay lawyer fees. According to Article 166 of the Jordanian Civil Procedure Law: Article (166) – Civil Procedure Law 1. In addition to court fees and other expenses, the court shall order the losing party in the lawsuit to pay lawyer fees. 2. If the court determines that the losing party acted in bad faith during litigation or used abusive tactics, the court may order the losing party to pay double the maximum lawyer fees allowed under the law, or impose a fine equal to the court fees, or both. However, clients should understand that the lawyer fees awarded by the court are usually limited and do not replace the lawyer fees agreed between the lawyer and the client. In practice, the amount awarded by the court often represents partial compensation only for legal expenses. _
Professional Ethics Gove:rning Lawyer Fees:
Lawyer fees are also regulated by the Code of Professional Ethics and Rules of Conduct for Lawyers in Jordan.
According to Article 11 of the Code of Professional Ethics, lawyers must determine their fees fairly and ethically. Article (11) – Code of Professional Ethics:
A lawyer must not exaggerate or undervalue their services when determining fees and must not exploit the client's lack of experience or weakness in order to obtain excessive fees beyond the services provided.
When determining lawyer fees, the following factors should be considered: • The time and effort required • The novelty and difficulty of the legal issues • The professional skill required • The customary fees within the Bar Association • The value of the dispute and the benefit expected for the client • Whether the case prevents the lawyer from accepting other work • Whether the client is a regular or long-term client These professional rules ensure that lawyer fees remain fair and professionally justified.
Lawyer Fees in Sharia Court Cases :
In cases before Sharia courts, lawyer fees may also be governed by a written agreement between the lawyer and the client.
According to Article 4 of the Sharia Lawyers Law:
A lawyer may conclude a written agreement with the client specifying the lawyer fees and the method of payment. If a dispute arises regarding lawyer fees, the Sharia court may review the agreement and determine whether the fees are reasonable and fair. If no written agreement exists, the court may determine the lawyer fees after considering the circumstances of the case.
Typical Legal Fee Structures in Practice:
Although the law provides the legal framework governing lawyer fees, the actual legal fees in practice may vary depending on the nature of the case.
Civil and Financial Claims:
In many financial disputes, lawyer fees are often agreed as a percentage of the claim value, commonly ranging between 5% and 25%, depending on the complexity of the case and the legal work required.
Criminal Cases:
In criminal cases, where the value of the claim is not defined, lawyer fees are usually agreed as fixed legal fees. Depending on the seriousness of the charges and the complexity of the case, legal fees may range from USD 1,400 to USD 10,000 or more.
Business and Corporate Legal Services:
Legal services related to company formation, corporate structuring, or trademark registration may involve different fee structures. In practice, such services may range from approximately USD 300 to USD 5,000, depending on the type of company and the legal services required.
Legal Consultation Fees:
Legal consultations are usually handled separately from full legal representation. Consultation fees may vary depending on:
• the complexity of the legal issue
• the time required for review and analysis
• the level of specialization required.
For professional legal consultations, hourly consultation fees may range between USD 100 and USD 400 per hour, particularly for specialized or complex legal matters. _
Frequently Asked Questions About Lawyer Fees in Jordan
Can lawyer fees be negotiated in Jordan?
Yes. In most cases, lawyer fees are agreed upon between the lawyer and the client before starting the legal work.
Will the court order the losing party to pay all my lawyer fees?
Not necessarily. Courts may award lawyer fees, but these fees are limited by law and usually do not cover the full lawyer fees agreed between the lawyer and the client.
Are lawyer fees regulated in Jordan?
Yes. Lawyer fees are regulated under several laws including the Jordanian Bar Association Law, the Civil Procedure Law, and the Code of Professional Ethics for Lawyers.
Can foreign clients hire a lawyer in Jordan?
Yes. Foreign clients may hire a lawyer in Jordan and appoint the lawyer through a Power of Attorney, allowing the lawyer to represent them before courts and government authorities.
Do I need to travel to Jordan to start a legal case?
In many situations, legal cases in Jordan can be handled through a Power of Attorney, allowing the lawyer to manage the legal process on behalf of the client.
How can I estimate the legal cost of my case?
The best way to estimate legal costs is to consult a lawyer and review the details of your case, including the documents involved, the legal procedures required, and the expected duration of the proceedings.