International Arbitration In Qatar

Arbitration in Qatar has undergone substantial modernisation in recent years, helping to establish the country as a leading regional centre for commercial dispute resolution.

This note explores the following aspects of Qatari arbitration: (1) its modern legal framework; (2) the main arbitration institutions based in Qatar; (3) recent arbitration-related case law from the Qatari courts; and (4) Qatar's participation in investment arbitration, including a look at the bilateral investment treaties ("BITs") to which it is a party.

1. Legal Framework of Qatari Arbitration

Within Qatar generally, arbitration is governed by Law No. 2 of 2017 Promulgating the Civil and Commercial Arbitration Law – Issuing the Law of Arbitration in Civil and Commercial Matters (the "Qatari Arbitration Law").¹ The Qatari Arbitration Law is drafted in Arabic and, though an English translation exists, the Arabic text controls. Prior to the adoption of this law, and still today for