The short answer
Identify the parties, the capacity of each signatory and the scope of work, then review the price, delivery dates, warranties, termination and dispute provisions, read every annex alongside the final version so you can raise specific questions before signing
Before signing, ask whether you understand your obligations, what the other party must deliver and how performance and disagreements will be documented, this guide outlines preparation steps, while the effect of any clause depends on the agreement, the transaction and the applicable law
Who are you contracting with, and who will sign?
Record each party’s legal name, capacity and identifying details, distinguish an individual from a company and obtain documents that support the company details and the representative’s authority, rather than relying on a trading name or a short message
- Compare the names and details in the contract with the available documents
- Clarify the signatory’s capacity and authority before relying on the signature
- Identify the agreed contact person or address for notices
Are the scope, payments and delivery dates clear?
Turn broad wording into specific questions about the work required, its acceptance criteria and when each payment falls due, discuss additional costs and changes to the scope, since uncertainty may make the agreement harder to evidence or perform
- Describe deliverables, specifications and stages in concrete terms
- Consider the records needed to support payments and acceptance
- Clarify how changes are requested, approved and recorded
What happens if performance is delayed or the agreement ends?
Read termination, liability, warranty and dispute clauses together with the rest of the agreement, do not assume that a penalty or arbitration clause answers every issue, ask how the wording may affect your circumstances and whether particular notice or remedy arrangements apply
- Ask when termination is available and what financial consequences follow
- Discuss how delays, objections and claims will be handled
- Clarify how dispute clauses relate to the applicable law and forum
What records should you retain after agreement?
Keep the final version, annexes, specifications and correspondence that explain the agreement, check that the document you sign is the version you reviewed, an organised file does not determine a dispute in advance but helps a later legal assessment
- A clear list of annexes, versions and dates
- Records of approvals, changes, delivery and payments
- Unaltered copies of the original documents
- Identify the parties
- Review obligations
- Assess risk provisions
- Confirm the final version
What should you prepare for the discussion?
- The complete draft and annexes
- Party details and signatory capacity
- The quotation or scope of work
- Payment and delivery schedules
- Questions and disputed provisions
Questions about this topic
Is it enough to read the price and signature page?
Review the agreement and annexes as a whole, because obligations, exceptions and termination provisions may appear elsewhere
Is arbitration suitable for every commercial contract?
Suitability depends on the dispute, the parties’ agreement and the legal requirements, it cannot be assumed from a general template
How can I request a contract review?
Start with a general description of the contract and the purpose of the review on WhatsApp, then agree the scope and a suitable way to share documents with the team
Sources and scope of this guide
The following references informed this guide, it is not legislation or advice on a particular file, procedures and legal effects require an assessment of the facts, records and applicable law
- Companies Control Department — Company enquiries and frequently asked questions
An initial reference for company details and related services, it does not replace a review of authority documents for the particular transaction
https://www.ccd.gov.jo/AR/Modules/FAQ - Jordanian Ministry of Justice — Mediation
An official introduction to mediation, it does not establish suitability for every dispute
https://moj.gov.jo/AR/Pages/الوساطة
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