A session held as part of the Doha Legal Forum, organised by the Ministry of Justice in co-operation with the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre under the theme “Emerging Trends and Forward-Looking Insights” discussed alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in Qatari law.
The session was titled “Arbitration and Mediation: Toward Swift Justice for an Attractive Investment Environment”. The session brought together a number of experts and specialists in arbitration and mediation, who reviewed key legal developments and mechanisms for enhancing trust and transparency in the country’s business and investment environment. They also highlighted the growing role of arbitration and mediation in accelerating dispute resolution and supporting legal stability.
Chief Executive Officer of Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre, Faisal Rashid al-Sahouti, emphasised that arbitration is one of the most important factors in attracting investment and reassuring investors. He noted that Qatar issued Law No 2 of 2017 on Arbitration, which is based on the UNCITRAL Model Law and is considered one of the most modern arbitration laws at the regional and global levels.
He explained that the law provides multiple and flexible options for parties, including recourse to the Court of Appeal or the Qatar International Court. The court is distinguished by conducting its proceedings and issuing its judgments in English and by its reliance on the Anglo-Saxon legal system, in a manner suited to the nature of various disputes, particularly those involving international parties. Al-Sahouti added that the Qatar International Court offers a familiar judicial environment for foreign partners, which enhances confidence and encourages investment. He noted that figures from eight years of applying the Arbitration Law show a growing reliance on the competent court, and he expects further growth in this area.
He further stressed that the success of the arbitration system is not limited to legislation alone, but also depends on Qatar’s strategic geographic location, its global transport network, and the institutional and knowledge legacy achieved after hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. These factors, he said, enhance Qatar’s international reputation in arbitration and dispute resolution. For his part, Jassim Saleh al-Kuwari, Assistant Undersecretary for State Lawsuits Affairs at the Ministry of Justice, affirmed that the multilateral and bilateral investment treaties concluded by Qatar provide legal protection for foreign investors, including guarantees of fair compensation, protection against expropriation, and dispute settlement mechanisms through Qatari courts or international arbitration bodies such as ICSID.
Meanwhile, lawyer Jalal El Ahdab, partner in the Dispute Resolution Group at Bird & Bird in Paris, pointed to a decline in construction disputes in Qatar following the hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, noting that this decline reflects the maturity of the Qatari market after the completion of major projects.
Director of the Arbitration and Mediation Center at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Dr Ignacio de Castro, explained that intellectual property disputes increased by 70% in 2025, particularly in the fields of software, energy, advanced technologies, and artificial intelligence.
He noted that mediation has grown faster than arbitration, helping to resolve approximately 70% of disputes.
