Qatar Business Law Forum
Conference
27 November 2025
Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl, Doha
Qatar Business Law Forum
Gala Dinner & Awards
27 November 2025
Museum of Islamic Arts, Doha
A Decade of
Legal Excellence
Driving Strategic
Intelligence
Empowering Legal
Leadership

Celebrate 10 Years with Us!

This year marks a major milestone for the Qatar Business Law Forum Conference & Awards Ceremony.

Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Justice, Qatar Business Law Forum celebrates its 10 remarkable years of driving innovation, excellence, and collaboration in the legal community!

Save the Date: 27 November 2025 | Doha

Join us for an extraordinary day as we bring together the brightest minds and most influential figures in Qatar’s legal sphere. This special anniversary edition is set to be our biggest and boldest yet!

Backed by Leading Legal Institutions

We are honoured to have the support of some of Qatar’s most respected legal organizations:

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s Department of Legal Affairs
The Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre, LexisNexis Strategic Alliance Partner
Al Sulaiti Law Firm, LexisNexis Exclusive Law Firm Partner in Qatar
Qatar Lawyers Association

Under the Patronage of

Diamond sponsor

Partners 2025

LEXISNEXIS STRATEGIC ALLIANCE PARTNER IN QATAR

PARTNER IN QATAR

EXCLUSIVE LAW FIRM PARTNER IN QATAR

ACADEMIC PARTNER

Sponsors 2025

DIAMOND SPONSOR

PLATINUM SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

BRONZE SPONSOR

GALA DINNER SPONSOR

What to Expect

We are expecting more legal professionals and decision-makers will come together for high-impact discussions, thought leadership, and exclusive networking opportunities. With real-time English and Arabic interpretation, every moment is accessible to all.

Celebrate Legal Excellence

The event will conclude with our prestigious Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony, honouring the trailblazers of Qatar’s legal profession. Winners will be chosen by an independent panel of top-tier judges from academia, government, and the legal industry.

Interested in Showcasing Your Brand?

Explore tailored sponsorship opportunities and position your brand at the forefront of Qatar’s legal sector. Contact Malini Dean at malini.dean@lexisnexis.com to get started.

Be Part of History!

Don’t miss this once-in-a-decade celebration of Qatar’s legal evolution. It’s more than a conference—it’s a legacy in the making.

2025 Event Venue Details:

Qatar Business Law Forum Conference 2025:
Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl – Doha
Timings: 8:30 AM to 4 PM

2025 Event Venue Details:

Qatar Business Law Forum Gala Dinner & Awards 2025:
Museum of Islamic Art
Timings: 6 PM – 11 PM

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to network, learn, and celebrate with the legal community in Qatar.
We can’t wait to see you there!

2025 Programme

Achieving Qatar National Vision 2030

8:00 – 8:45 AM

Badge Pick-up, Breakfast and Networking

8:45-9:15 AM

Opening Remarks

Eric Bonnet-Maes – President, LexisNexis (RELX Group) Continental Europe, Middle East & Africa
H.E. Ibrahim bin Ali bin Issa Al Hassan Al Mohannadi – Minister of Justice & Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs
Mohammed Bin Ahmed Bin Twar Al Kuwari – First Vice-Chairman, Qatar Chamber
Faisal Al-Sahouti – CEO, Qatar International Court & Dispute Resolution Centre
Mubarak Al-Sulaiti – Chairman of Qatar Lawyers Association, Founder & Chairman of Al Sulaiti Law Firm
Hilal Al Khulaifi – Chief Legal, Regulatory & Corporate Governance Officer, Ooredoo Group

9:15-10:15 AM

Panel Discussion 1: The Evolving Business Law Framework under Qatar National Vision 2030

The evolution and future of Foreign Investment Law in Qatar
The evolving role of Qatar’s special zones
Modernising Qatar’s dispute resolution framework (arbitration law, evolution and growth of QICCA, the creation of the Trade & Investment Court)
Developing Qatar’s legal sector and enhancing the quality and accessibility of judicial services
Investing in human capital: Qatar’s progress in labour law creating a workforce for a knowledge-driven economy

Moderator: AlAnoud M Al-Mosleh – Head of Economic Research & Policy Advocacy, Investment Promotion Agency (Invest Qatar)

Panelists:

Dr. Abdulla Hammad Al Khaldi – Director of the Legal & Judicial Studies Center (LJSC), Ministry of Justice; Acting Director of the Official Gazette Department, Ministry of Justice
AlAnoud Abdulaziz AlKhaja – Founder & Managing Partner, Taqneen Law Firm
Monita Barghachie – General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Marafeq Qatar
Matthew Walker – Partner, K&L Gates

Growing an Investor-Friendly Destination

10:15-11:15 AM

Panel 2: Pioneering Corporate Governance in the GCC

Back to Basics: Role and composition of board of directors, minority shareholder rights, and filing obligations
The new QFMA Code for listed companies
Harmonization of corporate governance in the QFC with special zones
Corporate governance of State companies

Moderator: Georges Abi Saab – General Counsel, Ooredoo Group

Panelists:

Michelle Ancona Reynolds – Senior Vice President, Lesha Bank
Roopak Sehgal – Senior Legal Counsel, Tadmur Holdings
Dr. Zain Al Abdin Sharar – Senior Legal Counsel, Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC), Member of the QFMA Disciplinary Committee
Ahmed Yousuf Al-Emadi – Director of Regulatory & Competition Economics, Ooredoo Group

11:15-11:45 AM

Coffee & Networking

11:45 - 12:45 PM

Panel 3: Bringing Investor Confidence to the Financial Sector

Legislative milestones in Qatar’s banking & finance sector + where the law is headed
QFC’s new distinct regulatory zone for digital assets
Reconciling investor data protection with AML regulation
Qatar’s substantive improvements to combat money-laundering and financing of terrorism

Moderator: Roscoe Banks – Associate General Counsel, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority

Panelists:

David O’Sullivan – Group General Counsel, QNB
Maha Al Saadi – Head of Regulatory Affairs, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority
Simon Chan – Partner, K&L Gates

12:45 - 1:45 PM

Lunch - Please Join Us!

Faster, Smarter, Better: Modernising Qatar’s Justice System

1:45 - 2:45 PM

Panel 4: Building an Efficient Framework for Real Estate & Construction Disputes

The new dedicated Enforcement Court one year on
- How the Court has been applying the Enforcement Law
- Practical tips for in-house practice to enforce cheques, leases and other documents
QICCA Developments in Construction Dispute Resolution
Rethinking Performance Bonds: Legal Developments and Practical Consequences
Stop, Step-In, or Terminate: Options Under Qatari Law and Practice for Construction Disputes

Moderator: Muna Nasser AlKaabi – Case Progression Officer, Qatar International Court & Dispute Resolution Center

Panelists:

Andrew Johnson – General Counsel & Board Secretary, Msheireb Properties
Gabriel Olufemi – Managing Partner, Dentons
Amr Hossam El-Din – Head of Arbitration & ADR Practice, Senior Legal Counsel, Al Sulaiti Law Firm
Farah Haidar – Senior Associate, DWF

2:45 - 4:00 PM

Panel 5: Choice of Forum for an Expeditious, Predictable and Judicious Resolution of Disputes

Pros and cons of the Trade & Investment Court
When can parties opt for the Qatar International Court
Opting for arbitration: Avoiding pitfalls in drafting your arbitration clause
Choice of forum for government procurement contracts

Moderator: Professor Hilary Bell – Assistant Professor of Law and Juris Doctor Director, Hamad Bin Khalifa University College of Law

Panelists:

Umar Azmeh – Registrar, Qatar International Court & Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC)
Dr. Hazem Hussein Sherief – Managing Director & Head of Arbitration, Al Majd Law Firm
Nour El Khoury – Senior Associate, Hamad Al Yafei Law Firm
Khalid Mohammed Al-Harami – Founder & Chairman, West Bay International Legal Consultants & Lawyers
Muneera Alhammadi – State Case Attorney, Cassation Cases Specialist, Ministry of Justice