Agenda

This module introduces the structure of, and allocation of business between, the First Instance Circuit, the Appellate Circuit, and the Regulatory Tribunal. Participants will explore the legal principles and procedural rules that govern them and the role of the Registry, with a focus on how international best practices shape proceedings.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module, participants will understand the:

• Jurisdiction of the Court and the Tribunal.
• Legal frameworks and regulations governing the cases and appeals that are heard at the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre.
• Key distinctions between common and civil law principles.
• Regulations and Procedural Rules relevant to the duties and composition of the Court, the Tribunal, and the Registry.

During this module, participants will explore the types of urgent applications that may be filed before proceedings begin, the process for initiating claims, and the importance of procedural compliance. The session will also address the Court’s approach to track allocation and early determinations such as summary and default judgment.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module, participants will understand the:

• Types of applications that can be made before commencing proceedings and the process that should be followed to file them with the Court.
• Process for filing a Claim Form that meets the Court’s requirements and for serving it on the Defendant(s) once issued.
• Differences between the Small Claims Track and standard claims.
• Circumstances in which the Court will grant summary judgment and how to make an application requesting that the Court consider it, in whole or in part, and default judgment.

During this module, participants will learn how to respond to claims by filing Defences and Counterclaims, explore how to raise an objection regarding the Court’s jurisdiction and examine the grounds for doing so, and study the process for making amendments to pleadings. 

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module, participants will understand the:

• Process for filing and serving a Defence (and Counterclaim) that meets the Court’s requirements.
• Grounds for disputing the jurisdiction of the Court and the time limits for doing so. 
• Timeline for filing and serving, and the focus of, the Claimant’s Reply to the Defence and Counterclaim.
• Circumstances in which either party can amend their respective Statements of Case. 

During this module, participants will study the approach that the Court takes to case management, examine the types of directions that it can issue in this context, and gain a practical understanding of how to effectively prepare for a hearing.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module, participants will understand the:

• Types of directions that the Court has the power to make. 
• Documents that parties will be expected to prepare for the hearing and how to approach them.
• Rules relating to disclosure and the circumstances in which either party can request disclosure, both from each one another and from non-parties. 

During this module, participants will study the structure of hearings and the duties of those appearing before the Court, gain a practical understanding of how to effectively handle witnesses and experts, and explore different techniques for presenting persuasive oral arguments.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module, participants will understand the:

• Modes of determination and the structure of hearings in the Court. 
• Rules relating to rights of audience before the Court and its approach to accommodating litigants-in-person. 
• Differences between witnesses of fact and expert witnesses, and how to introduce evidence from either. 

In this module, we will also explore:

• Courtroom etiquette and the duties of those appearing before the Court. 
• Techniques to use when handling witnesses during examination-in-chief, cross-examination, and re-examination. 
• Courtroom advocacy techniques and the core components for persuasive oral advocacy.

During this module, participants will examine the types of judgments and orders that the Court can issue, explore the principles behind awarding damages, and study the evidentiary requirements for compensation.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module, participants will understand the:

• Different types of judgment that the Court can issue.
• Types of orders that the Court has the power to make and the consequences of failing to comply with them.  
• Specific types of damages that that the Court can award and the general principles that underpin them. 
• Evidence that will be required for the Court to award both statutory and non-statutory damages. 

This module outlines the principles and procedures for cost assessments and enforcement of judgments in the State of Qatar. Participants will explore how costs are awarded, the enforcement process, and the implications of judgment debtor proceedings.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module, participants will understand the:

• Disclosure requirements of the Court when awarding costs and the approach that it takes to the relevant assessments process. 
• Types of costs that the Registrar has the power to award and the process for seeking a review of their assessment. 
• Application procedure for enforcing a judgment, decision, or order by the Court and the stages of the enforcement process. 
• Different outcomes in judgment debtor proceedings and the process for appeal.

During this module, participants will learn about how to apply for permission to appeal, understand the applicable legal tests, and compare the structure and outcomes of appeal hearings with those at first instance. This module will also address the procedural restrictions and evidentiary limitations in appellate proceedings.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module, participants will understand the:

• Grounds for requesting permission to appeal and the process for doing so. 
• Circumstances in which the Court will not grant permission to appeal to its Appellate Circuit. 
• Documents that parties will be expected to prepare for the hearing and that they will be barred from using as evidence.
• Structure of appeal hearings and the potential outcomes. 

During this module, participants will gain insight into the different regulatory regimes in the State of Qatar, examine the authority of bodies relevant to the Regulatory Tribunal, and compare procedural differences between it and the Civil and Commercial Court.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module, participants will understand the:

• Different regulatory regimes that apply to entities of the Qatar Financial Centre and Qatar Free Zones and the circumstances under which a Decision Notice can be issued.
• Types of sanctions that the regulatory bodies of the Qatar Financial Centre and Qatar Free Zones have the power to make and the factors that will be considered when determining the level of penalty.
• Time limits and process for filing and serving an Appeal Notice to the Regulatory Tribunal, to challenge a Decision Notice. 
• Main procedural differences between the Regulatory Tribunal and the Court.