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The Qatar International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA) of the Qatar Chamber announced that it has approved its updated conciliation rules, which will take effect on February 1.This step is part of QICCA's ongoing extensive efforts to enhance dispute resolution mechanisms and improve the services it provides to the business community both locally and internationally.On this occasion, HE QICCA's Vice-Chairman, Dr. Sheikh Thani bin Ali Al-Thani, affirmed that the updated rules represent a significant step in enhancing the conciliation process, noting that they reflect the Center's commitment to developing its dispute resolution mechanisms in line with international best practices.He emphasised that the new rules have been designed to provide a more flexible, efficient, and transparent framework that serves the interests of all parties involved in commercial disputes.For his part, Secretary-General of QICCA, Ibrahim Mohamed Shahbek, praised the updated rules, describing them as an important advancement that strengthens the Center's conciliation system. He noted that the amendments will contribute to improving service quality, accelerating dispute resolution, and supporting the business sector by offering effective alternative methods to litigation.QICCA reaffirmed its continued efforts to enhance its services and provide modern and reliable mechanisms that keep pace with developments in the business environment, ultimately contributing to fostering a more attractive investment climate in Qatar.

The Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA) at Qatar Chamber recently participated in the first edition of the ‘Muscat Arbitration Days’ conference, organised by the Oman Commercial Arbitration Centre in Muscat.Sheikh Dr Thani bin Ali al-Thani, QICCA vice-chairman, spoke at the second panel session titled ‘Stronger Together – Building a Unified Regional Arbitration Ecosystem’, where he reviewed the stages of arbitration development in Qatar.He emphasised the strategic importance of unifying efforts and exchanging best practices among arbitration centres in the GCC, noting that such cooperation would accelerate the adjustment of policies and procedures and enhance the region’s appeal as a reliable and effective destination for resolving commercial disputes at the international level.The session, which featured prominent speakers and representatives from the Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration, the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution, and the Commercial Arbitration Centre for the GCC, discussed ways to strengthen co-operation among GCC arbitration centres to create a more coherent and robust arbitration environment that meets the aspirations of the business and investment communities across the region.On the sidelines of the conference, QICCA and the Oman Commercial Arbitration Centre signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance co-operation in developing arbitration, conciliation, and dispute-resolution mechanisms.The MoU aims to exchange expertise and knowledge, jointly promote services, and organise joint events and training programmes, thereby benefiting practitioners and users of arbitration services in both countries and the region.It reflects the shared vision between the two centres and reinforces the pioneering role of GCC countries in creating an integrated arbitration ecosystem that supports the business environment, keeps pace with global economic developments, and strengthens the region’s position as a vital hub for trade and investment. 

The second edition of the Doha Arbitration Day 2025 Conference was held at The Ritz-Carlton, Doha, under the patronage of the Ministry of Justice and the Qatar International Court.The event was held in the presence of His Excellency the Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Ibrahim bin Ali al-Mohannadi.The conference was hosted by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) and organised in partnership with the Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA), the Qatar Lawyers Association, and the Qatari Experts and Arbitrators Association.The conference witnessed broad participation from representatives of judicial, governmental, academic, and legal institutions, in addition to a distinguished group of specialists and practitioners in the fields of arbitration and dispute resolution.The conference opened with remarks by Saad Hegazy, CIArb Trustee and Head of the Organising Committee, followed by contributions from Sheikh Dr Thani al-Thani, Vice-Chair of QICCA; Mohammed Lahdan al-Muhannadi, Chair of the Qatari Experts and Arbitrators Association; and Mubarak al-Sulaiti, Chair of the Qatar Lawyers Association.The speakers highlighted the importance of capacity building, fostering shared expertise, and supporting the development of an effective and resilient arbitration ecosystem in the State of Qatar.A keynote address was delivered by Prof Dr Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Global President-Elect of CIArb for 2025, offering insights into global trends in international arbitration and their relevance to the evolving legal and commercial landscape.QICDRC CEO Faisal Rashid al-Sahouti emphasised the significance of the conference and its role in strengthening the culture of arbitration within the State of Qatar.He noted that the Second Edition of Doha Arbitration Day reflects the collective efforts of the Ministry of Justice, QICDRC, and all partner institutions in developing a modern and advanced arbitration ecosystem that enhances confidence in the business and investment environment, and reinforces Qatar’s position as a leading regional and international hub for dispute resolution.The conference concluded with a formal honouring ceremony and the graduation of the first cohort of Ministry of Justice employees joining CIArb membership — marking an important milestone in advancing national expertise and strengthening Qatar’s capabilities in arbitration and alternative dispute resolution.The conference also followed the recent election of the new members of the CIArb Qatar Branch Committee, chaired by Dr Saad bin Ahmed al-Muhannadi. 

The Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA) at Qatar Chamber recently concluded the 'Qualification and Preparation of Arbitrators Programme,' held in cooperation with Qatar University's (QU) Centre for Continuing Education. The program, which was held at QU's headquarters, aimed to prepare and qualify Qatari personnel through a scientific and training curriculum focussed on arbitration. The program included five stages covering the concept of commercial arbitration and its practical applications, arbitration case management procedures, drafting arbitration awards and their key components, and practical training, including a mock trial with the participation of all trainees. Graduation certificates were handed over to the 25 trainees who completed the fifth stage of the programme, under the title 'Practical Trial.'

Khalil bin Ahmed al-Mohannadi, President of the Qatar, Arab and Asian Table Tennis Federations and First Vice-President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), has officially filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, to contest the ITTF presidential elections.Al-Mohannadi described the case as one of “fraud and violation of democratic legitimacy”, echoing media reports that labelled the election outcome the “steal of the century”.The elections, held in Doha in May, ended with al-Mohannadi leading 98–87 in votes cast by national federation representatives present in the hall. However, Swedish candidate Petra Sorling gained an unexpected 17-4 advantage through remote electronic voting, tipping the final result. Al-Mohannadi rejected the validity of the 21 electronic ballots, noting that the number had originally been set at 16. The sudden increase, he said, shocked the General Assembly.In a statement released by the Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA) Tuesday, al-Mohannadi emphasised that the 2022 General Assembly in Doha — where 185 federations voted in person — reflected the true will of the membership. He stressed that administrative decisions or internal ITTF procedures should not override the democratic mandate, calling any such move “a violation of the essence of the electoral process and its credibility before the international sports community.”Responding to ITTF President Sorling’s recent remarks that “the file has been closed” and “the elections have been decided”, al-Mohannadi called the statements “misleading and inaccurate”. He pointed out that the ITTF’s internal arbitration decision is not final and remains under review by CAS.Al-Mohannadi underlined that the legal process will remain open until the ITTF General Assembly in London in 2026, where federations will again have the chance to vote. He pledged to pursue all available legal avenues “to defend transparency and protect the rights of member federations”, stressing that the dispute is not personal but “a legal and moral duty toward the global table tennis family”.He also warned against attempts to mislead federations into believing the case is settled, calling such claims a “deliberate distortion of legal reality”. He reaffirmed that the QTTA, alongside allied federations, will continue efforts until CAS delivers its final ruling.“Table tennis is bigger than any administrative or political dispute,” al-Mohannadi concluded, adding that safeguarding democratic legitimacy within the ITTF is “a collective responsibility to protect the future of the sport and its global reputation”.

The Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA) and the US-based International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) have explored the possibility of exchanging expertise to improve arbitration practices.As part of this, a delegation of QICCA met with Martina Polasek, Secretary-General of ICSID in Washington on the sidelines of the Singapore Convention (SC) Week on Mediation 2025. The move by QICCA and ICSID comes as part strategies to enhance co+operation and develop relations.The QICCA delegation was led by Sheikh Dr Thani bin Ali al-Thani, its vice-chairman, and also included Ibrahim Shahbeek, QICCA’s secretary-general. The delegation visited the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), where they held talks with the management team on future co-operation and experience exchange.The visit included a presentation of SIAC’s leading practices in managing arbitration cases and resolving commercial disputes through alternative means, which stand as a pioneering international model in this sector.QICCA’s participation comes within the framework of its strategy to strengthen international partnerships and benefit from global best practices in arbitration and mediation, thereby enhancing its capabilities and consolidating its position as a leading institution in dispute resolution in the region.The SC Week on Mediation has been a signature event in Singapore since 2019, focusing on dispute resolution, arbitration, mediation, and litigation. It serves as a key platform for thought leaders, experts, practitioners, and policy makers, to discuss emerging trends, address common issues, and deliberate on new innovations.

The Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) has organised a specialised workshop on advanced arbitration and mediation in intellectual property (IP) and technology disputes.The workshop, held in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Arbitration and Mediation Center and the International Law Association GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council) branch, concluded a two-day international conference on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and intellectual property protection.The conference co-organised by WIPO, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) brought together leading experts to discuss IP challenges, including disputes, legislative frameworks, and development strategies.The QICDRC also participated in two sessions during the conference, underlining its statutory role under Arbitration Law No. 2 of 2017 and its commitment to advancing ADR as a preferred alternative to litigation.The workshop provided participants with practical guidance on WIPO rules for mediation and arbitration, best practices in court-referred mediation, and the drafting of ADR clauses. Attendees explored the full mediation process from negotiation to final settlement while developing essential skills for mediators.Sessions further addressed the role of parties and neutrals, distinctions between mediation and other dispute resolution methods, and integration of WIPO procedures into both domestic and cross-border strategies.The event attracted a diverse audience from across the GCC, including participants from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and the UAE, reflecting the regional importance of the topics discussed.Discussions also examined the relationship between intellectual property and sports-related legislation, including e-sports, and highlighted how ADR mechanisms can resolve such disputes efficiently. Senior experts from WIPO, international law firms, and regional courts led the sessions, and participants received certificates of attendance at the conclusion of the workshop."The workshop offered a valuable opportunity for participants to gain practical insights into the use of alternative dispute resolution in intellectual property and technology disputes. By exploring best practices in mediation and arbitration, we aim to contribute to the development of legal frameworks that safeguard the rights of investors and business owners while supporting innovation and sustainable growth,” said Faisal Rashid al-Sahouti, chief executive officer of QICDRC.Ignacio de Castro Llamas, Director of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, said mediation and arbitration have proven to be effective in resolving complex disputes related to technology and intellectual property."This is evident from the experience of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center. By working with our partners in Qatar, we shared our experience and WIPO’s tools that complement court procedures and help foster innovation in this field,” he added.

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, at the centre of a row at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has turned to sport’s top court to attempt to overturn the introduction of a gender test, the court said Monday.The Court of Arbitration for Sport said in a statement that Khelif was challenging the global boxing federation’s decision “that disallows the athlete’s participation in upcoming World Boxing events without a preliminary genetic test”.Khelif was one of two boxers who sparked a gender eligibility furore at the Paris Games. The other was Taiwanese fighter Lin Yu-ting, who has been entered to compete at the world championships that start this week in Liverpool.Both fighters won Olympic gold medals, but Khelif’s opening bout, when she left her Italian opponent in tears, sparked criticism from a range of commentators including now-US Vice-President J D Vance and “Harry Potter” author JK Rowling.Khelif last month denied claims made by her former manager that she was putting her career on hold. “I would like to make it clear to the public that the reports of my retirement from boxing are false,” the 26-year-old wrote on Facebook.She accused her former manager, Nasser Yesfah, of “betraying (her) trust and (her) country with his false and malicious statements”. “This person no longer represents me in any way,” she said.Former heavyweight Bugner, who fought Ali twice, dies at 75Three-time European heavyweight champion boxer Joe Bugner, who fought Muhammad Ali in a world title bout, has died at the age of 75, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) said Monday.Bugner, who won the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles twice, fought Ali and Joe Frazier in back-to-back fights in 1973, and faced Ali again for his WBA and WBC world championships in 1975.“Joe Bugner has passed away at his care home in Brisbane, Australia,” the BBBoC said in a statement. “The British Boxing Board of Control passes on its condolences to Joe’s family.”Bugner’s professional boxing career spanned 32 years and 83 bouts, of which he won 69, including 41 by knockout. He turned professional in 1967, and won the European, British and Commonwealth titles by beating Henry Cooper in 1971.Hungary-born Bugner lost his titles six months later but won eight fights straight in 1972 before facing Ali and Frazier the next year, who both won decisions against him.Ali again beat him by unanimous decision in their rematch for the world championship in Malaysia.Bugner moved to Australia in the 1980s and won the Australian heavyweight title in 1995, before retiring in 1999.