CIArb Proud to Open New Branch in Qatar

Amongst the attendees at the launch were His Excellency Dr Mohammed Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry, Dr Saad Ahmed Al-Mohannadi, President of Ashghal, Mr Abdulla Al-Attiyah, Assistant President of Ashghal, Mr Ahmad Ali Al-Ansari, Chairman of the Branch Committee of CIArb Qatar & QFC, Mr Faisal Rashid Al-Sahouti, CEO of the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre, Professor Dr Nayla Comair-Obeid, outgoing President of CIArb, Anthony Abrahams, Director-General of CIArb and Matthew Walker, Secretary of the Branch Committee of Qatar & QFC.

Commenting on the launch, outgoing CIArb President Dr Nayla Comair-Obeid noted: 

"CIArb is very proud to open a branch in Qatar, and we currently have 215 local members. Our branch will enhance the implementation of Qatar’s new arbitration law and we are keen to further promote education and training on arbitration and ADR."

The CIArb have established a close working relationship with the QICDRC (Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre), with whom an MoU has been signed. This agreement confirms collaboration between the CIArb and the QICDRC regarding the promotion of arbitration and ADR within the State of Qatar. This includes working together to deliver programmes which provide suitable training for legal and other interested professionals, within Qatar, to be taught, eventually in both Arabic and English.

Referring to the new alliance with CIArb, QICDRC CEO Faisal Al Sahouti, commented:

"ADR is an increasingly popular method for resolving international commercial disputes in Qatar, especially given Qatar’s new arbitration law this year, and we are delighted with CIArb’s decision to establish a regional base in Qatar at the QICDRC. CIArb’s presence in Qatar will help train the next generation of Qatari lawyers, boost QICDRC’s position as a leading venue for international commercial dispute resolution in the GCC, and attract more international companies to the Qatar Financial Centre."

It is CIArb’s intention to open its Qatar branch office at the QICDRC’s premises later in 2018.