The short answer
Start with the facts, documents and your objective, then discuss negotiation, mediation or court proceedings in the circumstances, neither settlement nor litigation is automatically preferable in every file, and relevant deadlines and court papers still need attention while alternatives are considered
You may want to recover a payment, end an obligation or preserve a business relationship, these objectives do not always lead to the same route, this guide helps you prepare a discussion with your lawyer without assuming a particular result, duration or cost
What outcome do you want from resolving the dispute?
Define your objective and distinguish your main claim from matters open to negotiation, then collect the facts supporting each point, a clear objective helps you assess a proposal or proceeding against your actual interests rather than the label attached to the dispute
- Identify the rights or obligations in dispute
- Record what was agreed and what actually happened
- Explain whether you want the business relationship to continue
Are the facts and documents ready for assessment?
Gather the agreement, correspondence, notices, receipts and official papers and arrange events in date order, do not discard documents that appear unhelpful or alter original messages, an assessment needs the whole picture and any dates requiring prompt attention
- A brief chronology supported by records
- Complete agreements and annexes
- Court papers, notices and their associated dates
What does mediation offer, and when should it be discussed?
The Ministry of Justice describes mediation as help from a neutral person to bring positions closer and reach a consensual solution, suitability and arrangements need to be considered in context, discussing settlement alone does not establish that a proceeding is suspended or a legal deadline extended
- Discuss the parties’ willingness to exchange clear proposals
- Ask about the requirements and legal effects of a proposed agreement
- Check how relevant dates and procedures affect your options
How should the decision and next steps be recorded?
Ask for an explanation of the options, proposed scope and missing information, if settlement is considered, review the commitments, performance arrangements and consequences of breach before relying on it, if proceedings are pursued, agree how documents and updates will be handled
- A clear summary of the option assessed and the reasons
- Defined commitments for each party to any agreement
- Follow-up arrangements without assuming a guaranteed result
- Define the objective
- Organise the evidence
- Assess alternatives
- Record the next step
What should you prepare for the discussion?
- Agreements and annexes
- Correspondence and notices
- Payment or delivery records
- Court papers where available
- Your objectives and urgent questions
Questions about this topic
Does settlement mean giving up every claim?
Its effect depends on the wording and the rights it addresses, review what is included and excluded before agreeing
Does negotiation automatically stop court deadlines?
Do not assume that a deadline is suspended by negotiation, show the papers and dates to a lawyer so the steps required in your circumstances can be assessed
Can litigation or mediation success be guaranteed?
This guide does not guarantee an outcome, facts, evidence, procedures and agreements differ between files
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
- 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
Source addresses are shown for reference, navigation remains within this website except for approved contact and other links
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