Introduction

2020 was a year of reflection, adaptability, and unwavering dedication to the delivery of justice at the Qatar International Court. We were honoured to celebrate our 10-year anniversary as a major milestone toward the Court’s commitment to uphold the rule of law, and yet at the same time dealt with extraordinary challenges that tested our community.

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  • Message from the President

    “2020 will of course be remembered as the year of Covid-19. When the pandemic struck in the early part of the year, the Court was quick to ensure that its users, staff and judges were protected, and that its services were not disrupted. Court proceedings were immediately moved online and continued throughout 2020 with no delays being occasioned as a result of the pandemic. The Court and Regulatory Tribunal issued, between them, 26 judgments on a variety of topics including, in particular, in relation to the law pertaining to calls on advance payment guarantees and performance bonds"

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  • Message from the CEO

    “In 2020, the world faced its first major health crisis of the modern age, creating devastating consequences across all global economies, health systems, communities, and families. A year intended to be a celebration of the Court’s 10-year anniversary and an opportunity to look ahead to the next 10 years quickly turned into a year of instantaneous innovation, creativity, and community."

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  • About Us

    The Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre comprises the Qatar International Court (or QFC Civil and Commercial Court) and the QFC Regulatory Tribunal. Both judicial bodies are established pursuant to the relevant provisions of QFC Law No. 7 of 2005 as amended. The procedures of both the Court and Regulatory Tribunal are laid down in the QFC Law and the Regulations and Procedural Rules of each judicial body.

    Our Vision

    Our Vision is to be recognised as the world’s leading forum for the resolution of international civil and commercial disputes.

The Court and the Regulatory Tribunal

As at the end of 2020, the judiciary of the Court and Regulatory Tribunal comprised 17 judges from 11 different jurisdictions. (Qatar, Kuwait, England and Wales, Scotland, Cyprus, India, Singapore, Hong Kong and New Zealand). The judges subscribe to a judicial code of conduct, the cornerstones of which are impartiality, independence, integrity and propriety.

With the agreement of the Supreme Judicial Council in the State of Qatar, the Court and Regulatory Tribunal continue to be supported by Justice Rashid Al Badr who fulfills the role of Enforcement Judge. The enforcement of judgments of the Court has been a key milestone in its development, setting it apart from other comparable judicial institutions in the Region.

  • Jurisdiction of the Court and the Regulatory Tribunal

    The jurisdiction of the Court and Regulatory Tribunal is provided for under Article 8 of the QFC Law.

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  • Cases before the Court

    Forty cases were filed before the Court in 2020. Twenty six judgments were issued throughout the year dealing with a broad range of matters including those relating to (i) banking and finance, (ii) breach of contract claims, (iii) debt recovery, (iv) employment, (v) immigration, (vi) insurance, (vii) regulatory breaches, and (viii) trusts. Judgments of the Court are available online.

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  • Cases before the QFC Regulatory Tribunal

    Three cases were filed before the Regulatory Tribunal in 2020. Two judgments were issued throughout the year, one relating to an appeal against a decision of the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority, the other a costs assessment undertaken by the Registrar. Judgments of the Regulatory Tribunal are available online.

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  • Judiciary

    As at the end of 2020, the judiciary of the Court and Regulatory Tribunal comprised 17 judges from 11 different jurisdictions.

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  • Practice Directions

    The Court issued two new Practice Directions in 2019.

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  • Case Management System

    Innovative online hearing connects participants remotely during times of social distancing

    The Qatar International Court held its first fully remote hearing on 7 and 8 April, with judges, Court staff and lawyers all appearing from different locations across four different countries, ensuring that access to justice is maintained during the Coronavirus pandemic. The hearing was livestreamed to allow members of the public to observe proceedings.

    The Court routinely employs state-of-the-art technology to ensure efficient and cost-effective access to justice. Since its launch in 2018, the eCourt system has offered users a paperless e-case management solution that covers the full Court process lifecycle – from case filing to issuance of a judgment.

  • ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

    QICDRC continues to establish itself as the preferred choice for parties seeking alternative dispute resolution. The Court enables the use of its facilities for arbitration and mediation sessions to parties that elect QICDRC as the “Competent Court” as outlined in Law No. 2 of 2017.

    A benchmark agreement with the global authority on dispute settlement, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), further enhances Qatar’s profile as a hub for effective arbitration and alternative dispute resolution.

    The Court’s active take on stakeholder engagement and knowledge-exchange with regional and international partners promotes its growing jurisdiction, whilst serving the community at the highest arbitrational level.

  • MEDIATION

    In 2020, the QICDRC launched its Mediation Service, publishing the QICDRC Mediation Rules which are available online.

    Under the Rules, mediations are initiated in one of three ways:

    • (i) by the Qatar International Court or QFC Regulatory Tribunal (with the agreement of the parties),
    • (ii) as a result of a contractual provision to refer the dispute to mediation, or
    • (iii) at the voluntary request of one or more parties to a dispute (with the agreement of the other party/parties). Where parties seek to refer a dispute to mediation, the Registrar will suggest a list of mediators from the specially created QICDRC Panel from which the parties can make a selection. If the parties are unable to agree on a particular mediator, the Registrar will make the appointment.

    The appointed mediator has complete flexibility to conduct the mediation in such manner as he or she considers appropriate and most likely to be successful having regard to the nature and circumstances of the dispute.

    Ideally, the mediation will result in an amicable settlement agreement which all parties are content with. If settlement cannot be reached, the parties may then consider whether to resort to another form of dispute resolution.

    Parties who wish to refer a dispute to mediation should, having read the QICDRC Mediation Rules, complete the Request for Mediation Form and return it to the Registry by email.

  • Pro Bono

    In 2020, the QICDRC launched its Pro Bono Service which enables individuals who fall within the ambit of the Service to receive legal advice, assistance and representation at no cost.

    At the QICDRC, pro bono legal advice and representation is provided by lawyers who volunteer their time and expertise to assist individuals with limited financial means in regard to civil and commercial disputes, regulatory appeals or other legal issues that fall within the jurisdiction of the Qatar International Court or Regulatory Tribunal.

    • In 2020, the QICDRC launched its Pro Bono Service which enables
    • QICDRC continues to establish itself as the preferred choice for parties seeking alternative dispute resolution.
    • At the QICDRC, pro bono legal advice and representation is provided by lawyers who volunteer their time and expertise to assist individuals with limited financial means in regard to civil and commercial disputes, regulatory appeals or other legal issues that fall within the jurisdiction of the Qatar International Court or Regulatory Tribunal.

    Appreciation Award

    Following the successful launch of its new Pro Bono Service, the Qatar International Court has awarded its inaugural Pro Bono Appreciation Award to Omani & Partners Law Firm LLP and Sultan Al-Abdulla & Partners.

    The purpose of the QICDRC Pro Bono service is to extend support to eligible individuals who genuinely cannot afford to pay for legal assistance - namely those whose legal issues fall within the jurisdiction of the Qatar International Court or Regulatory Tribunal - and provide them with access to free legal advice and representation through the medium of volunteer lawyers and private sector law firms.

  • Stakeholders Engagements

    In an increasingly interconnected world, qicdrc aims to enhance ties with industry professionals and legal entities across the world in an effort to engage in knowledge-exchange and sustainable development. Despite the unique challenges, 2020 has been a year of interactive collaboration and exchange as we welcomed international court delegations and legal experts at the court to introduce them to our innovative dispute resolution model.

  • Qatar International Court welcomes delegation from the Kuwaiti Court of Cassation

    The Qatar International Court welcomed a Kuwaiti judicial delegation from the Court of Cassation, including Undersecretaries Counsellors Ishaq Hussein Al-Kandari, Mishaal Ahmad Al-Jerawi, and Mohammed Ahmed Al-Sayed Al-Rifai, as well as GCC Legal Affairs representative, Nayef Al-Otaibi. The delegation was received by Qatar International Court CEO, Faisal Al-Sahouti, and Qatar International Court Enforcement Judge, Rashid Al-Badr. The visit reiterated the commitment between Qatar and Kuwait to enhance knowledge exchange in the judicial field.

    During the meeting, aspects of cooperation in the judicial and legal fields were discussed, as well as the work undertaken by the Qatar International Court and the nature of the cases brought forth.

  • Events & Webinars

    The Qatar International Court designed, participated in and launched innovative channels of collaborative exchange in 2020, ranging from the QICDRC’s legal seminar series to joint webinars with leading educational institutes. Its engagement with traditional and digital judicial events underscored the Court’s mission to continuously promote public trust in the legal, regulatory and judicial environment, while forging a new digital trajectory that can enhance access to justice for an unprecedented online audience.

  • Qatar International Court hosts seminar on the Coronavirus and its impact on contractual obligations under Qatari law

    The Qatar International Court hosted a legal seminar on "Coronavirus and its impact on contractual obligations under Qatari law" as part of its programme to raise awareness on topical legal matters.

    The seminar featured Counsellor Abdelraouf Elbekei, partner of Sharq Law Firm, who explained how the spread of the virus can impact contractual obligations of the parties in contracts conducted in the State of Qatar in accordance with Qatari laws. He explained that the impact of the Coronavirus may lead to the debtor being overburdened to fulfil his/her commitment under “exceptional circumstances” also known as “hardship” or it may lead to the impossibility of carrying out the obligation under “force majeure”.

    The virtual seminar also included Counsellor William Cattan, partner Sultan Al-Abdullah law firm, who highlighted examples of epidemics and pandemics across countries and their impact on contracts. He explained how some contracts may directly be affected by the outbreak of Coronavirus, such as those covering supply chain contract, construction work and employment, in which implementation is burdened due to the nature of the contracts.

  • Evening Discussion with Lord Thomas - Seminar

    In early February, in co-operation with the Association of Corporate Counsel, the President of the Qatar International Court, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, delivered a seminar on the challenges faced by common law jurisdictions which operate in civil law countries. The seminar was open to the public and was well attended by members of the Association and others.

  • Colloquium with Sir Bruce Robertson at HBKU

    Sir Bruce Robertson, who has served as a judge of the Qatar International Court since 2013, was hosted at the College of Law at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) this February to partake in a colloquium on litigation and legal ethics in a globalised world. Held in Education City, the event drew aspiring legal professionals to learn about industry ethics and the future of litigation.

  • Legal Week participation in NYC

    A delegation from the Qatar International Court took part in Legalweek New York in early February where they engaged in active knowledge-exchange with industry peers and participated in the event’s workshop bootcamps, networking events and international exhibitions.

    As part of Legalweek New York, our delegates also visited LegalTech, is the world’s largest and longest running trade show for legal technology where they gained in-depth insights into technology for legal processionals.

  • Qatar International Court hosts introductory webinar for trainee lawyers

    The webinar introduced prospective lawyers to the Qatar Financial Centre and its world-class business infrastructure that aims to attract international companies to Qatar. The trainee lawyers were introduced to the Court and its jurisdiction, rules to relevant commencement as well as procedural components of the Court. Trainee lawyers were also presented the Court’s procedure, specifically submitting a claim, initiating proceedings, pleadings, judgments, appeals as well as the execution of judgments made by the Court.

    The webinar is part of the ongoing cooperation between the Qatar International Court and the Ministry of Justice in line with the National Vision 2030 to further strengthen Qatar’s legal environment.

  • Qatar International Court recognised 10-year anniversary during IBA virtual event

    Encouraging the resolution of international commercial disputes through specialist courts, Qatar International Court acknowledged the growth of specialist international commercial courts during an online discussion during an IBA virtual event in recognition of the Courts 10-year anniversary.

    The online discussion was attended by a variety of local and international legal professionals and other experts. The panel consisted of Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, President of the Qatar International Court; Justice Quentin Loh, Judge of the Supreme Court of Singapore and Judge in Charge of the Singapore International Commercial Court; Judge Duco Oranje, President of the Netherlands Commercial Court (Court of Appeal); The Honorable Charles N Brower, Judge of the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal and Georgios Dimitropoulos, Associate Professor at HBKU College. The panel was moderated by Dr Susan Karamanian, Dean of the College of Law at Hamad Bin Khalifa University.

  • QICDRC Organises Webinar with HBKU on Effects of COVID-19 on Commercial Contracts and Sovereign Borrowing

    In September, the Court alongside Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) brought together an esteemed panel of experts in a webinar on the impact of COVID-19 on commercial contracts and sovereign borrowing. The panellists reminded participants that COVID-19 has severely disrupted global supply chains, made commodity prices volatile, and exposed businesses to cash flow problems and in some cases bankruptcy.

    Key insights from the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Regulatory Tribunal were delivered by its chair, Sir William Blair, and Justice Sean Hagan, who previously served as General Counsel to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Speaking at the event, Christopher Grout, QICDRC Registrar, noted: “One of the most important considerations in times of crises is maintaining access to justice and ensuring that people do not become marginalised from the justice system.”

  • QICDRC and HBKU’s College of Law Examine Functioning of Courts During COVID-19 in Webinar

    Attracting participants from around the world, QICDRC and Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) held a webinar on ‘The Functioning of Courts in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic’ in July. Sponsored by the American Society of International Law (ASIL), the event looked at the challenges of remote hearings and new ways of structuring in-person trials to maintain social distancing while respecting due process.

    Speaking on the QICDRC’s leading role in holding online hearings since the very onset of the pandemic were the Court’s president, The Rt. Hon. the Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, and Court Registrar, Christopher Grout.

    The distinguished panel of experts highlighted the central role of technology yet also acknowledged its limits, particularly when examination of witnesses is critical to the fact-finding process.

  • QICDRC Judge Speaks at HBKU Seminar on ‘Reflections on Democracy and the Constitution of Qatar’

    Dr. Hassan Al-Sayed, Professor of Law, Qatar University (QU) College of Law, and Judge at QICDRC, spoke at an online colloquium reflecting on democracy and the constitution of Qatar in December. Organised by Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), the event commemorated Qatar National Day and followed HH the Amir’s recent announcement that Qatar will hold elections for its Shura Council (Advisory Council), Qatar’s legislative body, consistent with the promise of democracy set out in the constitution.

    Speakers shared their insights and observations on the constitution and democracy in Qatar, with a focus on the anticipated elections.

  • Community Engagements

    At QICDRC we participate and foster social responsibility programmes that reflect our commitment to the fair and equal participation and inclusion of all segments of society. Our initiatives aim to empower individuals and communities within Qatar’s multicultural work environment to promote an inclusive society that provides equal opportunities for all.

  • Ministry of Public Health signs a Memorandum

    The Ministry of Public Health announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre to implement the Wellness Programme in the Workplace.

    This comes as part of the ongoing efforts of the Ministry of Public Health to promote health awareness among the different segments of society in the State of Qatar in line with Qatar Vision 2030 and the objectives set out in the National Health Strategy 2018-2022.

    The Ministry of Public Health invited all ministries and governmental and semi-governmental institutions to participate in the programme as numerous organisations expressed enthusiasm to participate. The programme has been implemented in 13 institutions and MOUs have been signed with several organisations to improve, monitor and evaluate the health status of employees in an effort to implement a systematic plan to expand the scope of the programme and meet its vision “better health, better care, better value”.

  • Qatar International Court launches Pro Bono Service to provide vulnerable individuals with access to free legal advice and representation

    Ensuring that people do not become marginalised from the legal system during times of crisis is of critical importance. The Coronavirus pandemic has had a detrimental impact on access to justice and the way in which legal services are delivered. Judicial institutions and private law firms alike are not exempt from the need to observe social distancing and put into place remote ways of working.

    Rooted in its mission to provide and enhance access to justice, the Qatar International Court launched its Pro Bono Service. The purpose of this service is to extend support to eligible individuals, namely those whose legal issues fall within the jurisdiction of the Qatar International Court or Regulatory Tribunal and who genuinely cannot afford to pay for legal assistance. It provides them, through the medium of volunteer lawyers, with access to free legal advice and representation. Individuals have access the QICDRC Pro Bono Service Guidelines and can submit their application requesting legal assistance or representation on the Court website.

     

  • Pro Bono Appreciation Award

    Following the successful launch of its new Pro Bono Service, the Qatar International Court has awarded its inaugural Pro Bono Appreciation Award to Omani & Partners Law Firm LLP and Sultan Al-Abdulla & Partners.

    The purpose of the QICDRC Pro Bono service is to extend support to eligible individuals who genuinely cannot afford to pay for legal assistance - namely those whose legal issues fall within the jurisdiction of the Qatar International Court or Regulatory Tribunal - and provide them with access to free legal advice and representation through the medium of volunteer lawyers and private sector law firms.

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