Learn About the Competencies of Investment and Trade Court in Qatar

The Investment and Trade Court Law No. 21 of 2021 constituted a quantum leap in investment and commercial legislation, and an important and effective contribution to creating an attractive environment for investment in the State of Qatar, which has become a focus of interest from investors and a destination for those looking to launch economic, commercial and investment partnerships with guaranteed returns in a vibrant and active environment regionally and globally, Where the State of Qatar hosts the most important sporting and economic events, and hosts the most prominent facilities supporting investment in terms of advanced infrastructure, modern communication systems, the global transport network, and a legal system that has been prepared in accordance with the most successful systems and practices in force in various countries of the world.

Six months after the issuance of the court law, which was issued by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the country in October 2021, the 35-article law entered into force to constitute a strong boost to the national economy, and an incentive to attract major foreign investments and send messages of reassurance to investors abroad and inside. It will also contribute to accelerating the pace of settling commercial disputes and creating an attractive economic environment in line with the state's plans to attract investments.

The court is competent to adjudicate disputes related to commercial issues in general, such as commercial contracts, lawsuits that arise between merchants related to their business, lawsuits related to commercial papers, and disputes that arise between partners or shareholders in commercial companies, including areas and sub-specialties

Below are some examples of the jurisdiction of the court:

Commercial papers: The court is competent to decide on disputes related to commercial papers, which include bills of exchange, promissory notes, maritime sales, loan contracts, bargaining contracts (Islamic banks), credit cards, letter of guarantee, and bank transfers (account transfer).

Bank operations: include bank credit, discount commercial papers, money deposits, current accounts, securities deposits, and collection of commercial papers.

Disputes of finance and investment companies: These include financing commodities and money exchange business.

Transfer contracts: These include the contract for transporting things, the contract for transporting people, and the agency with a commission for transport.

Marine sales: These include CIF port of shipment sales, FOB port of shipment sales, and destination port sales.

Commercial Agency: It includes distribution contracts, contract agencies, commercial representatives, and brokerage.

Intellectual property: includes patents, trademarks, industrial models, and trade secrets.

Business and industry contracting: This includes finishing works, carpentry and blacksmithing contracts, marine boats, and electronic software contracts.

Insurance: The insurance sector includes disputes between the insured and the insured and the recourse of the insured to others.

Commercial companies: These include partners’ disputes, dissolution and liquidation of companies, the expulsion of a partner, and disputes of the general assembly.

Construction and building contracting: This includes building construction, building demolition, and building maintenance.

Service contracts: These include cleaning, hospitality and security services contracts, tourism office contracts, export and import contracts, customs clearance contracts, education services, health services, communications contracts and services, electricity and water contracts and services, recruitment contracts, tourism services, hotels and travel, restaurant sales, and stadiums. Public and sports facilities.