Ministry of Justice Auctions in Jordan: How Judicial Property Auctions Work (2026 Buyer's Guide)

Ministry of Justice auctions in Jordan, formally known as judicial auctions, are public auctions run by the courts' execution departments to sell property, usually to recover an unpaid debt such as a bank loan secured by a mortgage. The property goes to the highest bidder once the legal procedure is complete, and is then registered in the buyer's name at the Department of Lands and Survey.

This guide covers what you need to know as a buyer before your first property auction in Jordan: where the properties come from, how bank auctions differ from Ministry of Justice auctions, the stages of a public auction, how and when you pay, and which risks to check before committing any money.

What are judicial auctions in Jordan?

A judicial auction is a public sale supervised by the execution department of the competent court, not a sale between owner and buyer. The seller is effectively the execution department, whose goal is to recover the creditor's money, not to maximise profit. That's why Ministry of Justice auctions can offer below-market prices, but also strict procedures and deadlines with no room for delay or mistakes.

Judicial auctions include apartments, land, villas, shops and offices, and sometimes shares in co-owned properties, in Amman and across the other governorates.

Where do Ministry of Justice auction properties come from?

• Mortgage-secured debts: the owner borrowed from a bank or lender against the property and didn't repay, so the creditor asks for it to be sold. These are what people usually call bank auctions.
• Court judgments for money claims: the debtor's property is seized and sold to satisfy the judgment.
• Ending co-ownership: when several owners can't agree on dividing a property, it may be sold at public auction and the proceeds split by share.

The source isn't a side detail: it usually determines the property's legal status, who occupies it, and what encumbrances are on its title.

Bank auctions vs. Ministry of Justice auctions

Many people search for "bank auctions in Jordan" as if it were a separate market. In practice, bank auctions are usually mortgaged properties sold through the execution department within the same Ministry of Justice auctions. The difference is where the debt comes from, not the bidding or the procedure, so what this guide says about judicial auctions applies to most bank property auctions too.

The stages of a judicial auction

Some procedural details and fees can change with current regulations, so confirm them with a legal team for each property.

How do you pay? Cash only, within 10 days

This surprises most first-time buyers: at Ministry of Justice auctions the price is paid to the court in cash only, and bank loans can't be used. After the award, the balance is due within 10 days at most.

In practice:

1. The full amount must be ready before the session, not after.
2. Don't plan on selling something or getting finance after you win; 10 days isn't enough.
3. Set your limit on the cash you actually have.

If you don't win, the court refunds your deposit directly to your bank account within two weeks.

Why can public auction prices be below market?

The seller's goal is recovering a debt, and many buyers avoid auctions because of the procedure and the cash requirement. But part of the discount reflects real risks: you can't always inspect inside, the property may be occupied, there may be encumbrances, what's offered may be an undivided share, and the notice may not match the title.

The golden rule: your real discount is market value minus everything you'll actually pay, not just market value minus the winning bid.

Costs on top of the auction price

1. Registration and transfer fees at the Department of Lands and Survey.
2. Agent or lawyer fees, if any. At MazadBasha, for example, the commission is 5–10% depending on case type and price, and only if you win.
3. Eviction costs and time if the property is occupied.
4. Repairs for a property you couldn't fully inspect.

Formula: your limit = realistic market value − all of the above − a safety margin.

Do you have to attend the session?

No. You can attend yourself, or be represented under a special power of attorney. From outside Jordan, you can issue it at the Jordanian embassy or consulate, or online via the Sanad app, which makes Ministry of Justice auctions accessible to Jordanians abroad too.

Bid yourself or use a buyer's agent?

You can bid yourself if you have time to follow notices and attend sessions, and the experience to check titles. But few people know this: at major auctions there are often professional agents representing other buyers. Bid alone and you may be bidding against an agent who knows the market and their client's limit, so the price rises or you lose the property.

At MazadBasha we take part in 90% of the top Ministry of Justice auctions and win 95% of them for our clients. We track new auctions, check each property under our legal team's supervision, bid for you up to your written limit only, and follow through to transfer and key handover. No commission unless you win.

Also read: the pre-bid checklist for Ministry of Justice auctions, or search upcoming auction properties.