2025 has been a year of significant achievement and continued advancement for the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC), reinforcing our role as a global leader in international commercial dispute resolution. This year also marked our busiest on record for cases filed, reflecting the increasing trust of users in the Court’s modern and efficient judicial processes.
Our global engagement remained a defining feature of the year. QICDRC contributed to the WIPO Workshop on Alternative Dispute Resolution in Intellectual Property Disputes in Geneva, where our presentation on Qatar’s Arbitration Law underscored the importance of modern and effective dispute resolution mechanisms. We continued to participate actively in international legal dialogue through the Regional New York Convention Roadshow during Riyadh International Disputes Week 2025, addressing key issues surrounding the enforcement of arbitral awards and public policy considerations. We were also proud to see our Head of IT, Shithal Shetty recognised as runner-up for the “Legal Services Innovator of the Year” at the LexisNexis Women in Law Awards, reflecting QICDRC’s strong commitment to digital transformation and service excellence.
A major milestone this year was the launch of Azmeh and Nicol on the Law and Practice of the QFC Civil and Commercial Court and Regulatory Tribunal, developed in partnership with LexisNexis. As the first comprehensive text analysing the legal framework and jurisprudence of the QFC Court and Regulatory Tribunal, this publication marks a significant step in advancing legal scholarship and strengthening understanding of our judicial ecosystem. Complementing this achievement, we introduced a new set of Rules and Procedures for both the QFC Civil and Commercial Court and the Regulatory Tribunal, enhancing procedural clarity and efficiency and ensuring our judicial processes remain aligned with international best practice and Qatar’s long-term development objectives. We also successfully rolled out efficient enforcement procedures under the new Judicial Enforcement Law (Law No. 4 of 2024).
International collaboration and knowledge-building continued to shape our work throughout the year. QICDRC played an active role at London International Disputes Week 2025 (LIDW25), where members of our judiciary contributed to global discussions on innovation, international commercial courts, and cross-border judicial cooperation. We also delivered the first Arabic-language intensive training programme qualifying participants for CIArb membership via the accelerated route in international commercial arbitration, attracting practitioners from government, private practice, and international consultancies. This initiative reflects our dedication to building regional professional capabilities and reinforcing Qatar’s standing as a hub for arbitration expertise.
Our engagement in intellectual property dispute resolution deepened through our participation in the international conference organised by WIPO, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Hamad Bin Khalifa University, where we contributed to panels on mediation, arbitration, and litigation in IP disputes. We further strengthened regional expertise by hosting a specialised workshop on advanced arbitration and mediation in IP and technology disputes, in collaboration with WIPO AMC and the International Law Association – GCC Branch. This year also marked the first full year of the Legal Clinic, expanding access to justice while supporting legal awareness and community outreach.
As the year progressed, QICDRC continued to take part in major international forums. We delivered the Lawyers’ Training Programme on International Commercial Courts Practice and Procedure, equipping legal professionals with advanced insights into modern judicial systems. Our delegation also participated in the 6th Full Meeting of the Standing International Forum of Commercial Courts (SIFoCC) in India, contributing to global discussions on judicial cooperation and court innovation. We were also honoured to contribute to the 2025 International Association for Court Administration (IACA) Conference in Dubai, participating in a panel on Enhancing Access to Justice and highlighting key initiatives, including the Legal Clinic, the electronic court system, and bilingual proceedings.
QICDRC’s achievements were further recognised at the 10th Anniversary Edition of the LexisNexis Qatar Business Law Forum, where the Registry received the Government Legal Department of the Year award, an acknowledgement of our ongoing commitment to excellence, transparency, and innovation. We were also proud to see our Registrar, Umar Azmeh, selected as a runner-up for Government Lawyer of the Year, reflecting his outstanding contribution to strengthening judicial processes and advancing the quality of legal services in Qatar.
The Doha Forum 2025 marked one of the year’s most significant platforms for international dialogue, where QICDRC hosted a dedicated panel titled “Access to the Truth: Press Freedom and Global Affairs Reporting.” This session brought together leading voices to explore the relationship between justice, transparency, and international reporting, an area central to global governance and the rule of law.
Looking ahead, QICDRC remains committed to upholding the highest standards of judicial excellence, fostering international collaboration, and embracing innovation. I extend my sincere appreciation to our judges, staff, and partners for their dedication and support throughout 2025, and I look forward to another year of progress and development.
