Doing legal business in Qatar
Middle East conflict – support for members
A significant number of our members are based across the Middle East.
In light of escalating conflict across the region, our immediate concern is the safety and wellbeing of you, your colleagues and your families.
For help and advice, contact our international team: international@lawsociety.org.uk.
We can support with:
- professional and regulatory liaison: we can help facilitate contact with local bars, law societies and regulators in alternative jurisdictions
- engagement with UK government: we can raise any regulatory, mobility, evacuation or consular concerns with the relevant departments on your behalf. We can also connect you with appropriate embassy staff
We also recommend reading the UK government’s UAE foreign travel guidance.
This includes a recommendation to register your presence in the UAE.
Our thoughts are with all those affected. We will continue to monitor developments and offer support as needed.
The State of Qatar is one of the richest countries in the Arabian Gulf. Its national income comes primarily from oil and natural gas exports.
Revenues from the oil and natural gas sectors amount to 60% of Qatar’s gross domestic product, but it’s seeking to diversify the private sector and develop a ‘knowledge economy’.
On this page:
Practising in Qatar
Only lawyers registered with the Ministry of Justice in Qatar can:
- appear in Qatari courts and tribunals
- give legal opinions
- draft contracts
Foreign lawyers cannot operate as principals or owners of legal practices in Qatar. However, they can be employed by registered Qatari lawyers.
The legal profession
The Qatari legal profession is made up of qualified lawyers registered in the table of lawyers.
Regulation and representation
The Ministry of Justice of Qatar regulates the access of lawyers to the legal profession.
Legal system and courts
Qatar is an absolute monarchy ruled by the Emir of Qatar, member of the House of Al Thani.
The Qatari legal system is based on Islamic and civil law codes. It’s a discretionary system of law controlled by the Emir.
Islamic law dominates family and personal matters.
Qatar has not accepted compulsory International Court of Justice jurisdiction.
Legal services market
There are few Qatari firms that offer full-service, large-scale transaction capabilities. However, there are a growing number of internationally capable firms.
Many of the lawyers practising in ‘local’ firms are from elsewhere in the Gulf region, such as Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt.
An increasing number of international firms are moving into Qatar through the separate regulatory framework provided by the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC).
The QFC is a financial and business centre established by the Qatari government. It was designed to:
- attract international financial services institutions and major multinational corporations
- encourage participation in the growing market for financial services in Qatar
The launch of the QFC’s Civil and Commercial Court is expected to attract more firms and businesses to launch in the jurisdiction, backed by the legal framework it provides for international businesses.
Foreign law firms
Until 2006, restrictions limited foreign firms from operating in Qatar.
Those who were permitted had to operate in association with a Qatari-trained lawyer.
Foreign firms can establish offices without forming a local partnership by operating through the Qatar Financial Centre and the QFC Regulatory Authority (QFCRA).
The QFCRA is subject to the Regulatory Tribunal and a Civil and Commercial Court.
It has a broad jurisdiction to resolve commercial and other civil disputes involving institutions licensed to operate in and from the QFC.
Qualifying as a foreign lawyer in Qatar
Foreign lawyers who work in international firms registered in Qatar can be entered onto the Ministry of Justice’s register of lawyers.
To be entered onto the register, foreign lawyers must have at least three years’ post-qualification experience in their home jurisdiction.
Registration entitles foreign lawyers to practise home, international and Qatari law but they cannot appear in court unless the minister of justice grants permission to plead before a court in a particular case.
Requalifying in England and Wales
Lawyers from abroad and overseas students who wish to qualify in England and Wales need to sit the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).
The SQE provides a path to the solicitor title through the same exam taken by domestic candidates.
A foreign lawyer with more than two years of experience can apply for an exemption from SQE2. Foreign lawyers are also exempt from the requirement to have qualifying work experience.
Legal status
The information above does not constitute legal advice. It was drafted by the Law Society of England and Wales on the basis of desk research, bilateral relations with Bars and engagement with members.
The Law Society cannot be held liable for actions taken on the basis of this note or lack thereof. In case of specific queries, we strongly advise you to consider instructing external counsel to obtain advice specific to your business objectives.