A person harmed by conduct treated as a criminal offence may wish to pursue two different objectives: triggering the criminal process and seeking compensation for the resulting loss. Filing a criminal complaint does not, by itself, necessarily make the complainant a civil claimant. That is why the question How can I claim compensation as a civil claimant in a Jordanian criminal case? requires a careful distinction between the two procedural positions, as well as attention to the relevant authority, stage, documents, and fees.

This article is general legal information, not legal advice and not a guarantee of any outcome. The appropriate step depends on the facts, the type of case, and its procedural stage. A lawyer should review the file and the current requirements before any application is filed or fee is paid.

How can I claim compensation as a civil claimant in a Jordanian criminal case?

A lawyer and injured person reviewing a criminal complaint and compensation request

As a practical matter, the first step is to distinguish filing the criminal complaint from formalising a compensation claim within the criminal file. The Ministry of Justice states that a criminal complaint is submitted to the competent Public Prosecution Department, provided that it falls within the department’s territorial or subject-matter jurisdiction. The application is made in writing, either as a complaint pleading or as an official letter referred by a security centre.

Compensation is pursued within the criminal proceedings by asserting a civil claim connected to the alleged offence. The application or pleading should identify the claimant, the alleged harm, and the relief sought, while taking into account the stage of the case and the directions of the relevant court registry. A complaint should not be treated as automatically creating civil-claimant status.

Where is the complaint filed, and what initial documents are needed?

According to the published Ministry of Justice service, the complaint is filed with the competent Public Prosecution Department. The person concerned or a legal representative must attend. Where a lawyer files the application, proof of legal authority is required, and identification documents are requested according to the applicant’s capacity.

The service describes a written filing, either through a complaint pleading or an official referral from a security centre. It lists a published complaint-registration fee of two Jordanian dinars. That fee relates to registering the complaint; it does not, on its own, establish the amount of any fee for a civil claim or other rights-related procedure.

What should a civil-claim application address?

A civil claim within the criminal file indicates that the injured person is not merely reporting an alleged offence, but is also asking for a civil remedy connected with it. The application should therefore make the claimant’s capacity, the conduct in question, the alleged harm, and the requested relief clear.

The supporting documents will depend on the facts and the type of loss. In practice, attention should be given to identification, proof of authority where a lawyer acts, and any evidence requested to support the harm and the amount claimed. The published material does not establish one exhaustive document list for every case, so the court registry or counsel should be consulted about the file-specific requirements.

Is there one uniform deadline for asserting a civil claim?

The official material provided confirms general authorities and procedures, but it does not state one numerical deadline applicable to every civil claim within a criminal case. The practical timing may depend on whether the matter is still before the Public Prosecution or has reached court, as well as on the type of case and the competent court.

It is therefore unsafe to delay action on the assumption that one deadline applies to all cases. It is equally unsafe to assume that filing the complaint automatically preserves every civil procedural right. The case stage should be identified, and the applicable legislation and current instructions should be verified before deciding whether the application belongs before the Public Prosecution, the court registry, or within an appeal.

What fees apply?

The complaint-registration fee must be distinguished from fees relating to the civil aspect. The Ministry of Justice publishes a two-dinar registration fee for the complaint. Where an appeal includes a civil claim, however, the fee is charged under the applicable Court Fees Regulation and schedule.

An older Ministry service guide contains a detailed schedule for an appeal that includes a civil component, with amounts varying according to the value of the claim and a stated maximum. That guide predates the service page updated on 22 September 2026. Its figures should therefore not be treated as current without checking them against the present fee schedule. For an appeal limited to the criminal aspect, the updated service states that the registration fee is two dinars.

What effect does civil-claimant status have on an appeal?

The status has an important procedural effect. An official Constitutional Court judgment states that a complainant cannot challenge a criminal judgment merely by being a complainant, whereas a person who is a civil claimant may appeal the part relating to the civil claim. The judgment also describes review by written order as an exceptional remedy that a complainant cannot pursue in that capacity.

Where an appeal includes a civil component, the Ministry of Justice states that copies of the appeal pleading must be filed for each respondent, together with a copy for the appellant and one for the court file. An appeal limited to the criminal aspect requires two copies of the pleading. The appeal is filed on paper with the appeal clerk at the competent Magistrates’ or Court of First Instance criminal registry, depending on whether the case concerns a misdemeanour or a felony. Fees are then calculated and paid to the cashier, and the clerk records the date and time of filing on the pleading. The Ministry also allows lawyers with an account on its portal to submit the civil component electronically.

Civil claim within the criminal case versus a separate civil action

A civil claim within the criminal case seeks compensation connected to the alleged criminal conduct as part of the criminal file. Its procedural effects remain tied to that file, including the scope of any appeal available to the claimant in relation to the civil component.

A separate civil action seeks compensation before the competent ordinary court outside the criminal proceedings. The distinction becomes particularly important when jurisdiction, admissibility, or appeal rules require closer examination. A Ministry of Justice report concerning an earlier amendment proposal referred to a possible restriction on bringing a civil claim before the State Security Court for felonies and to pursuing a separate civil action before the competent ordinary court. The material supplied describes this as an earlier proposal or project; it is not, by itself, proof that the proposal is currently in force.

Frequently asked questions

Does filing a criminal complaint automatically secure compensation?

It should not be assumed. The complaint initiates the criminal track, while civil-claimant status relates to the compensation claim within the file and must be established through the appropriate procedure at the relevant stage.

Is the complaint fee the same as the civil-claim fee?

Not necessarily. The published two-dinar fee concerns registration of the complaint. The civil component, particularly on appeal, is subject to the applicable court-fee regulation and schedule, which should be checked in its current form.

Can every complainant appeal the criminal judgment?

The official source provided distinguishes between a complainant and a civil claimant. Merely being a complainant is not enough for the challenge described in the Constitutional Court judgment, while a civil claimant may appeal the part relating to the civil claim within the applicable limits.

What should be checked before filing?

Confirm the procedural stage and competent department or court, prepare identification and proof of authority where needed, state the harm and relief clearly, and verify the current deadline, fee, and filing instructions with professional assistance.

Conclusion

The process involves more than filing a complaint. The injured person must determine whether to acquire civil-claimant status, when and how to formalise the compensation request, and whether the civil aspect should remain within the criminal case or be pursued separately. Because timing, fees, and admissibility may depend on the case stage and type, reviewing the file, current legislation, and Ministry of Justice procedures before filing is an essential step toward an informed decision.

Official sources