DRT, Doha
Answer: Article 694 of the civil laws stipulates that an employer may refuse to take delivery if defect in the works or violation of the mutually agreed conditions exceed such an extent that they would not serve the intended purpose.
If the defect or violation are not of such seriousness, the employer shall only be empowered to reduce the consideration in proportion to the significance of the defect or shall oblige the contractor to rectify the defect within a reasonable time limit to be fixed by himself if such rectification is feasible and does not involve exorbitant costs.
The contractor may carry out such rectification within a reasonable period of time, if this is possible and does not cause substantial damages to the employer. However, according to Article 695, the employer or main contractor shall not invoke the rights under Article 694 if he is responsible for causing the defect whether this is by issuing orders contrary to the subcontractor’s view or in any other manner.
Ending contract without notice
Q: I am working in a restaurant in Doha since 2012. Last week, the manager informed me verbally that I am terminated and I don’t need to attend the shop. The management has not informed anything properly or anything in writing. When I objected the decision of the management, they replied that the company has full right to terminate the existing contract without any notice. Being an employee having experience of more than five years, am I eligible to receive a proper notice prior to termination? How can I challenge such acts? Please advise.
HG, Doha
A: According to Article 49 of the Labour Law, the party intending to terminate the contract shall notify the other party in writing. If the period of service is more than five years, the notification period shall be at least two months prior to the date of termination. If the employer, in its discretion, asks the employee not to work for some or all of his notice period, the employer will still be obliged to pay the employee in full. Alternatively, the employer may, at its discretion, pay the employee in lieu of notice. The employee can approach the Labour Dispute Resolution Committee to challenge the employer’s action of termination without notice.
A case against contracting firm
Q: In connection with a subcontract agreement, I have filed a case against the contracting company for some payment pending for unreasonable reasons. The court heard the issue and appointed an expert through a judgment. I have paid the amount stated in the judgment without any delay and I received details of the expert. Now it has been more than two months, but the expert did not conduct the hearing. I want to finish the case as early as possible. What action can I initiate if the expert failed to submit the report before the time pronounced? Please advise.
EJ, Doha
A: According to Article 351 of the Civil and Commercial Procedure law, if the expert has not deposited his report to the court within the term specified, he shall be bound to deposit a submission stating whatever functions he has carried out, and reasons which forestall the completion of his mission. If justifiable, court will grant the expert more time to complete the report otherwise court shall adjudge him with a fine not exceeding QR2,000 and grant time or replace him.
Cancellation of lease contract
Q: I have rented an apartment in Doha for my family and due to some issue, I lost my job. I would like to cancel my lease contract because I cannot afford it now. There is no provision in the contract for early termination and the landlord is not agreeing for any settlement. Is there any provision in Qatar lease law where the tenant can seek termination of contract even if the contract does not specify anything? Please advise.
JS, Doha
A: According to Article 632 of the civil laws of Qatar, when a lease is made for a fixed period, either of the contracting parties may, if serious and unforeseen circumstances arise of such nature as to render, from the commencement of or during the lease, the performance too burdensome, demand the termination of the lease before its expiry, provided he gives notice in accordance with the time limits and pays equitable compensation to the other party.
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LEGAL SYSTEM IN QATAR
According to Article 519 of the Civil and Commercial Procedure law, if the debtor intends to discharge himself from obligations, he shall present actual exhibition to his creditor to this effect upon minutes to be shown to the creditor. The minutes of the exhibition shall include a statement of the exhibition and particulars of acceptance or rejection of this exhibition. In the case of goods in-kind that cannot be delivered to the creditor, the summons shall be served by the debtor to the domicile of the creditor to authorise him to receive it.
If the creditor rejects the exhibit which was cash, the person who is authorised to summon minutes of exhibition shall deposit the cash in the treasury of the court on the following day at most from the date when the minutes were recorded. The person who was authorised of the summons shall notify the creditor of a copy of the minutes of deposit within three days of that date. If the exhibited goods are non-cash and the offer is rejected, the debtor shall request the competent judge of execution to specify a place for depositing these goods if they are transferable. If the goods are made to remain there, the debtor may request placing the goods under receivership.
As per Article 521, actual exhibition may be made in the session before the court without procedures if the party to whom the offer is made is present. When rejected, the exhibited cash shall be delivered to the Registry of the court to deposit it in the treasury of the court. The rejection shall be recorded in the minutes of the deposit based on what was stated in the session itself. If the exhibited goods in the session are not cash, the exhibitor shall request the court to specify a place for depositing the exhibited goods if they can be transferred or appoint a receiver if goods are made to remain where they existed. Appeal shall not be accepted in the judgment issued in this respect. The exhibitor may immediately request a judgment on the validity of the exhibition.
The debtor may withdraw an exhibit that is not accepted by creditor and recover what he deposited from the treasury of the court whenever he proves that he summoned his creditor of his withdrawal of exhibit and three days have passed from the date the summons was served upon the creditor.
According to Article 525, withdrawal of the exhibit and recovery of the deposited goods shall not be permitted after acceptance by the creditor of this exhibit or after issue of the judgment on the validity of the exhibition and its final occurrence.
No fees shall be imposed on lawsuits filed by the government. If the court issues a judgment to obligate the other party to pay the said fees, the Registry of the court shall collect such fees from this litigant. Moreover, no fees shall be paid by the party who requested copies of certificates and summaries and translation for the government.
If the lawsuit is filed by the government or by a person who was exempted from fees and a judgment is issued against the defendant and he intends to appeal such a judgment, he shall only pay the fees of appeal. Fractions of the Riyal shall be deemed a Riyal in estimation of the value of lawsuits and fees. All due fees shall be collected upon filing the lawsuit or appeal or request or order or paper or copy thereof upon which the fees are due.