LexisNexis Hosts the 6th Qatar Business Law Forum in Doha, Qatar!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2021 Qatar Business Law Forum Conference!

LexisNexis Middle East is pleased to have hosted, in partnership with the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre – QICRDC (LexisNexis Strategic Alliance Partner), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Qatar University (College of Law), and our exclusive Law Firm Partner, Al Sulaiti Law Firm, the 6th Qatar Business Law Forum Conference in Doha, Qatar.

The conference covered the latest legal developments and trends in Qatar and gathered leading professionals from the Qatari legal and business community. The following topics were covered over three sessions:

• First Session – Recent and Future Developments Qatar Law
  • A New Trade & Investment Court for Qatar
  • PPPs – The Story So Far
  • Global Hydrogen Policy Developments: An Update for Qatar
  • Roundtable: Recent and Future Developments in Qatar Law

• Second Session – Hot Topics in Compliance
  • Key Compliance Issues for Today’s In-House Counsel
  • Issues in Labour and Recruitment Law Compliance
  • Transitioning from LIBOR: Managing Compliance Risks
  • Corporate Registration: Practical Considerations for Engineering and Construction Companies
  • Roundtable: Compliance Issues and Trends for Today’s In-House Lawyers

• Third Session – Issues and Trends in Dispute Resolution in Qatar
  • Qatar Law and the Singapore Convention on Mediation
  • International Arbitration in a Virtual World
  • Expert Evidence and the Independence of the Expert in International Arbitration
  • Mediation Skills for Lawyers
  • Roundtable: Current Issues and Trends in ADR

Special thanks to our incredible speakers and moderators:

• Mubarak Al Sulaiti – Chairman, Al Sulaiti Law Firm
• Abdullatef Al-Mohannadi – Deputy Registrar, QICDRC
• Sultan Al Abdulla – Qatar Lawyers Association
• Benjamin Filaferro – Managing Director, LexisNexis Middle East & North Africa
• Amr Hossam – Legal Consultant, Al Sulaiti Law Firm
• Sean Khalid – Senior Legal Counsel, Barwa Real Estate Company
• James Douglass – Partner, K&L Gates
• Pawel Piotrowski – Partner, K&L Gates
• Huw Davies – Senior Legal Counsel, Qatar Free Zones Authority
• Susan Karamanian – Dean, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, College of Law and Public Policy
• Lauren Djedid – Senior Legal Counsel, Qatar Financial Centre Authority
• Raquel Ferreira – Senior Associate, Hamad Al Yafei Law Firm
• Muhammad Ameen Hashim – Head of Corporate & Contracts Department, Al Sulaiti Law Firm
• Simon Chan – Counsel, K&L Gates
• Paula Boast – Partner, Charles Russell Speechlys
• Hilary Bell – Assistant Professor, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, College of Law
• Sarrah ElJaili – Associate, Hamad Al Yafei Law Firm
• Kirk Durrant – Partner, DWF
• Rohit Singhal – Chief Executive Officer, Masin
• Dr. Zain Sharar – Senior Legal Counsel, QICDRC

Thank you to our partners and sponsors for your support:

• Qatar International Court & Dispute Resolution Centre – LexisNexis Strategic Alliance Partner
• Al Sulaiti Law Firm – LexisNexis Exclusive Law Firm Partner
• Ministry of Commerce & Industry – Partner
• Qatar University – Partner
• Aurifer Middle East Tax – Tax Partner
• K&L Gates – Platinum Sponsor
• Hamad AlYafei Law Firm – Platinum Sponsor
• DWF – Gold Sponsor
• Charles Russell Speechlys – Silver Sponsor
• Masin – Silver Sponsor
• Barwa Real Estate Company – Corporate Sponsor
• Qatar Free Zones Authority – Corporate Sponsor
• SADER Group – Bronze Sponsor
• Pinsent Masons – Gala Dinner Sponsor

Lastly, thank you to all attendees for making the conference a success. We look forward to welcoming you in 2022 for the 7th Qatar Business Law Forum!

Qatar: Draft Law on Control of Import, Export and Transportation of Rough Diamonds Approved

Al-Sharq, 3 November 2021: Qatar’s Prime Minister and Interior Minister has approved a draft law on the control of the import, export and transportation of rough diamonds.

They also approved a draft Decree approving the country’s accession to the Kimberley Process System on the issuing of rough diamond certificates.

They went on to approve a draft Ministerial Decision on the conditions and controls for granting a marine driving license and the circumstances in which it can be revoked.

Finally, they agreed to implement the necessary measures to ratify an agreement between Qatar and the UN on hosting the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries. For full story, click here.

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Qatar: International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre’s Expanded Jurisdiction Comes into Force

The Peninsula, 21 October 2021: The Law expanding the jurisdictional remit of the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre has come into force.

It came into force on 13 October.

The relevant provisions were contained in Qatar Law No. 15/2021. This Law amended Qatar Law No. 34/2005.

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Qatar: Law Establishing Investment and Trade Court Issued

Lusail, 19 October 2021: Qatar’s Emir has issued Qatar Law No. 21/2021 promulgating the law establishing the Investment and Trade Court.

It will be published in the Official Gazette and come into force six months after. For full story, click here.

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Qatar: Financial Centre Proposes Data Protraction Regulation Amendments

The Peninsula, 13 October 2021: Qatar’s Financial Centre has proposed amendments to the Centre’s Data Protection Regulations.

The amendments have been proposed to bring the Regulations into line with international developments.

The proposed amendments include adding a new article on the conditions for using consent as a legal basis for processing personal data as well as publishing a list of adequate jurisdictions in which data transfers are permitted without additional requirements. Other amendments propose establishing the Data Protection Office as an institution of the QFC. It would include a Commissioner. Finally, they propose introducing various remedies for individuals and the Data Protection Office and the right to lodge a complaint with the Office.

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Qatar: Draft Amendment to Anti-Money Laundering Law Approved

The Peninsula, 30 September 2021: The Qatari Cabinet has met with the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and given its approval to a draft law which amends some provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Law Qatar Law No. 20/2019.

It has also approved a draft Cabinet decision which will amend some provisions of the executive regulations of the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Law, issued by Cabinet Resolution No. 41/2019.

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Qatar: Jurisdiction Remit Changes Announced

The Peninsula, 16 September 2021: The Qatari authorities have issued Qatar Law No. 14/2021 and Qatar Law No. 15/2021 to expand the jurisdictional remit of the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre.

Their remit has been expanded to cover the Qatar Free Zones and the Qatar Free Zones Authority and matters referred to the Court or Regulatory tribunal by any Law in the State.

The aim is to boost its position as a specialist judicial authority.

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Kuwait: Separate Investment Ministry Could be Established

Kuwait Times, 7 September 2021: The Kuwaiti Government is considering splitting the Finance Ministry into two.

One would be solely responsible for investment.

The aim is to promote greater independent decision-making.

It would include the investment bodies which manage state finances. It would have members from the Public Institution for Social Security, Kuwait Investment Authority, Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority, Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects, Kuwait Privatisation Agency, Central Bank among others.

The Investment Minister would be Kuwait Investment Authority board member Fahad Al-Rashed.

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Qatar: Holiday Home Rental Regulations Issued

The Peninsula, 6 September 2021: Qatar Tourism has issued new holiday home rental regulations.

They are aimed at regulating the operation of holiday homes owned by individuals. They are also aimed at providing a complete licensing and classification process and ensuring international best practices are adopted.

This will increase transparency, safety and standardisation in the sector.

Homeowners have to apply for a license, including quality standards, amenities, health and safety, accessibility criteria, code of conduct and environmental sustainability.

They have announced they have also upgraded their system to support the new license applications for owners and authorised tenants who can now apply for a Holiday Homes license through the e-Services portal.

They will carry out frequent inspections to ensure compliance.

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Qatar: Family Visit Visas Changes Announced

The Peninsula, 26 August 2021: The General Directorate of Passports of the Interior Ministry has announced family visit visa changes.

Under the changes, health insurance and a return ticket are required for family visit visas to be approved.

Various applications have already been rejected because they have not satisfied these conditions.

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