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Overview
As 2009 commenced, law firms in Jordan had yet to feel the effects of the global economic downturn, except in the real estate sector, where projects were cancelled or postponed. One senior partner reports that the legal market is ‘generally growing’ with, for example, many new PPP projects in the pipeline. The impact on the economy is expected to be ‘manageable’ according to an IMF report, in spite of rocketing inflation in early 2008, and the added beneficial impact of the Development Areas Law 2008, intended to improve Jordan’s economy and attract investment.
Jordan’s legal system is based on Islamic law and French codes and has not accepted compulsory International Court of Justice jurisdiction. Jordan is reviewing its judicial system, a particular problem is the poor qualifications of judges, with a judge’s minimum age just 27.
The legal market is dominated by two four-partner firms: Ali Sharif Zu’bi Advocates & Legal Consultants and International Business Legal Associates – IBLAW, founded by Salaheddin Al-Bashir, a former Justice Minister and currently Jordan’s Foreign Minister.
Lawyers practising in Jordan are obligated to join the Jordan Bar Association. Foreign firms are not yet free to formally operate in the country, but many of the larger Western firms are active in Jordan, frequently working on the largest deals, sometimes in partnership with local firms.
One of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP’s key clients in the region is the Jordanian Government, particularly in telecommunications. White & Case LLP advised the Jordanian government in ICSID arbitration and has been involved in the expansion of Queen Alia International Airport, with Rajai K.W. Dajani & Associates as local counsel. The Jordan Company is a long-standing client of Mayer Brown International LLP. Norton Rose LLP advised the Jordanian Atomic Energy Commission on the signing of a uranium exploration agreement with Areva. Linklaters LLP advised Areva with Aljazy & Co acting as local counsel.
Trowers & Hamlins LLP works via an association with Abdul Karim Al Fauri & Associates, with clients including the Jordanian Government, advising on energy matters. Denton Wilde Sapte LLP is experienced in Islamic finance and has appointed Jordanian lawyer Safwan Moubaydeen as a senior partner, whose local private practice is now Safwan Moubaydeen Law Firm in association with Denton Wilde Sapte.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP periodically works on major deals in Jordan, and Clifford Chance has a lengthy track record in the region with Ali Sharif Zu’bi Advocates & Legal Consultants as its preferred counsel,
Regional specialist TALAL Abu-Ghazaleh Legal -TAGLEGAL’s Amman office has advised in connection with Jordan’s IP infrastructure, and has been influential in Jordan’s stringent anti-piracy measures.