Doha: A session held as part of the Doha Legal Forum, organized by the Ministry of Justice in cooperation with the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre under the theme "Emerging Trends and Future Insights," discussed alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in Qatari law. The session was titled "Arbitration and Mediation: Toward Swift Justice for an Attractive Investment Environment."
According to Qatar News Agency, 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 emphasized 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. Dr. Al Kuwari explained that Qatar's membership in the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes constitutes an additional safeguard for investors. He also noted that the Ministry of Justice has launched wide-ranging institutional reforms to strengthen the legal environment supporting investment, including oversight of the arbitration, legal practice, and mediation professions, as well as developing the competencies of professionals working in justice and dispute resolution.
He confirmed that the State Lawsuits Department adopts an amicable settlement approach whenever possible, pointing to successful cases in which friendly settlements were reached with foreign investors at advanced stages of disputes. This, he said, reflects the State's commitment to transparency, neutrality, and professionalism, and enhances its position as a reliable investment destination.
Meanwhile, lawyer Jalal El Ahdab, Partner in the Dispute Resolution Group at Bird and 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. He added that legislative developments in the field of arbitration -particularly the issuance of the new Arbitration Law- have contributed to enhancing procedural efficiency. He also noted that Qatari courts have shown respect for arbitration clauses in contracts, alongside increased reliance on alternative mechanisms for resolving construction disputes, such as dispute adjudication boards and mediation supported by FIDIC contract models.
In turn, Director of the Arbitration and Mediation Center at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Dr. Ignacio de Castro explained that intellectual property disputes increased by 70 percent 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 percent of disputes. He emphasized the importance of Qatar's accession to the Singapore Convention on Mediation to facilitate the international enforcement of settlement agreements. He also pointed to the increasing use of WIPO mechanisms in Asia and the Middle East, along with a rise in international patent applications from these regions.