Qatar: Fees for Investment and Trade Court Approved in Principle

The Peninsula, 10 February 2022: Qatar’s Cabinet has approved a draft Decision specifying the fees for lawsuits, requests and guarantees at the Investment and Trade Court.

The draft Decision has been approved as part of the implementation of the Investment and Trade Court Law.

It was promulgated by Qatar Law No. 21/2021.

They also approved a draft Decision amending Qatar Decision No. 73/2014 establishing the permanent committee to monitor fuel filling and storage stations in the country.

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Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre Amends Small Claims Regime

The Peninsula, 2 February 2022: Qatar’s International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre has announced it has amended its small claims regime.

The amendments are contained in Practice Direction No. 1/2022 which comes into force on 1 March 2022.

The amendments substantially reduce the time for a judgment to be reached.

The Centre has announced it will allocate small claims worth up to 100,000 Riyals to a specialist small claims track in the First Instance Circuit of the Court.

Filing fees will not be charged and new small claims will be determined on the basis of the papers or virtually via a remote hearing, instead of a physical hearing in Court.

Once a case has been allocated to the small claims track and issued by the Registry, a claimant will have seven days to serve the Claim Form and any supporting documentation on the defendant. Previously they had four months.

In another significant change, the defendant will now have 14 days instead of 28 days to respond.

The aim is to continue streamlining the judicial process for all of the parties.

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Qatar: Subsidised Commodities and Prices Decision Issued

Al-Sharq, 19 January 2022: Qatar’s Cabinet has decided to approve the draft law on determining the subsidised commodities and the maximum bracket for their prices and the groups of beneficiaries.

The aim is to continue Government support in terms of commodities and animal feed as a strategic option and implement Qatar Law No. 5/2017 on regulating the trading of subsidised commodities.

The Cabinet also approved a draft decision to amend amending Qatar Decision No. 32/2013 on naming the chairman and the members of the Grievances Committee in the Qatar Financial Markets Authority. For full story, click here.

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Qatar: Financial System Integrity Laws Being Considered

The Peninsula, 13 January 2022: The Director of Control and Development Department at the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority has announced laws to protect the integrity of the country’s financial system are being considered.

They aim to provide the right to access information and tackle conflicts of interest.

The aim is to keep up with relevant technological developments.

They made the announcement on the sidelines of the FinTech Summit Middle East.

The Summit was organised by the Qatar Association of Certified Public Accountants.

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Qatar: Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) Proposes Amendments to Prudential Framework for Conventional QFC Authorised Banks

The Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority has announced it has launched a consultation on the proposed Banking Business Prudential (Counterparty Credit Risk) and Miscellaneous Amendments Rules 2022. It ends on 31 March 2022.

Any amendments will be made to the Banking Business Prudential Rules 2014.

The prudential banking framework which applies to banks in the QFC is largely based on the international framework developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. In June this year, the Regulatory Authority issued a consultation paper on the Banking Business Prudential (Credit Risk and related Matters) Amendments Rules 2021. The Regulatory Authority did not include its proposals for rules concerning counterparty credit risk in that consultation.

The Regulatory Authority has now completed its work to develop draft Rules and is now proposing new prudential requirements for counterparty credit risk and exposures to central counterparties.

The Regulatory Authority is also proposing a minor change to the General Rules 2006 in terms of auditor appointment notification requirements. The aim is to clarify the notification requirements for when the appointment of an auditor ends.  Article 91 of the QFC Financial Services Regulations requires an auditor to notify the Regulatory Authority about all issues related to their employment.

In addition, the Regulatory Authority is proposing to clarify the FSR requirement in the GENE Rules so auditors are clear about the circumstances where the notification requirement applies. The consultation ends on 28 February 2022.

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Out Now! Qatar Business Law Review No. 02/2021

The QATAR Business Law Review No. 02/2021 is brought to you in Arabic and English by LexisNexis Middle East and the وزارة التجارة والصناعة Ministry of Commerce and Industry. In this issue:

• Recent Changes to the Commercial Companies Law, by Buthaina Al Hail, Legal Specialist, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• The Arbitration of Disputes Related to a Company’s Memorandum of Association, by Sarrah N. ElJaili (LL.M.), Associate, Hamad Al-Yafei Law Firm
• The Sole Proprietorship: Between Enactment and Reality, by Hassan Abdul Razzaq Al Sayed, Legal Specialist, Legal Affairs Department – Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• The Qatar Legislator: Between Attracting Foreign Investment and Combating Commercial Concealment, by Hilal Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, Director, Legal Affairs Department, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• The Position of the Qatar Courts on Delay Interest, by Dr. Zain Al Abdin Sharar, Senior Legal Counsel – CEO Office, Qatar International Court
• Practical Guidance: QICCA Arbitration Checklist, by Joseph Lee, Lawyer, Pinsent Masons, Doha

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Qatar: Draft Social Insurance Law Approved

Al-Sharq, 24 November 2021: Qatar’s Cabinet has approved a draft Social Insurance Law.

It includes provisions on expanding insurance coverage to all private and public sector employees. It also includes provisions introducing a minimum threshold for pensions. It will be 15,000 Riyals. In addition, a housing allowance will be added to the subscription pool which will include the basic salary, social allowance and housing allowance.

They have also approved a draft Military Pension Law.

Military personnel will also have a special allowance added to their subscription pool.

Insured women will be exempt from the reduction of the pension if they resign if the resignation is due to having to look after a child or disability in line with specific conditions. For full story, click here.

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Meet the award winners from the 6th Qatar Business Law Forum held in Doha, Qatar!

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

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 6th Qatar Business Law Forum Awards Ceremony!

Thank you to our Gala Dinner Sponsor, Pinsent Masons, for your support.

The Awards Ceremony sets out to recognise exceptional achievement within Qatar’s legal community. Please join us in congratulating this year’s winners:

Excellence in Teaching Award

Winner: Dr. Georgios Dimitropoulos, Associate Professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University College of Law and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, for originating and launching this fall HBKU Law’s fourth new degree program, the three-year Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.).

Legal Department of the Year (Small team)

Winner: Barwa Real Estate Company

Highly Commended: Qatar Shell WLL

Legal Department of the Year (Large team)

Winner: Qatar Financial Centre Authority Legal Department

Legal Counsel of the Year

Winner: Abdullah Dohan AlShammari, Senior Legal Specialist, Qatar University Research Office

Highly Commended: Rosalie Tien (Qatar Shell WLL)

General Counsel of the Year

Winner: Dana Al Ansari, Group Director, Legal & Compliance, Barwa Real Estate

Highly Commended: Mona Daraei, Head of Legal, Siemens Energy WLL

ADR Team of the Year

Winner: Pinsent Masons

Highly Commended: Sultan Al Abdulla & Partners

Banking & Finance Team of the Year

Winner: Simmons & Simmons

Highly Commended: K&L Gates

Commercial Litigation Team of the Year

Winner: Hamad Al Yafei Law Firm

Highly Commended: DWF

Corporate & Commercial Team of the Year

Winner: Addleshaw Goddard

Highly Commended: K&L Gates

Employment Team of the Year

Winner: Hamad Al Yafei Law Firm

IPTMT Team of the Year

Winner: Al Sulaiti Law Firm

Highly Commended: Sultan Al Abdulla & Partners

Property & Construction

Winner: K&L Gates

Highly Commended: Pinsent Masons & Dentons

Sports Law Team of the Year

Winner: Al Ansari & Associates

Highly Commended: Al Sulaiti Law Firm

Regional Law Firm of the Year

Winner: Al Marri & El Hage Law Offices

International Law Firm of the Year

Winner: Pinsent Masons

Highly Commended: DLA Piper

Qatar Law Firm of the Year

Winner: Sultan Al Abdulla & Partners

Highly Commended: Hamad Al Yafei Law Firm

We look forward to welcoming you in 2022 for the 7th Qatar Business Law Forum!

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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