Qatar Business Law Forum Conference

Thank you for showing interest in the upcoming 2025 Qatar Business Law Forum Conference!

LexisNexis Middle East is pleased to host the 10th edition of the Qatar Business Law Forum Conference. Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Justice; the forum is in collaboration with the Qatar International Court & Dispute Resolution Centre (LexisNexis Strategic Alliance Partner), the Ministry of Commerce & Industry’s Department of Legal Affairs, and our exclusive Law Firm Partner, Al Sulaiti Law Firm.

2025 Event Venue Details:

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

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This year’s event marks a significant milestone as we celebrate a decade of the Qatar Business Law Forum Conference – ten years of fostering legal excellence, promoting innovation, and strengthening collaboration within Qatar’s legal sector.

  • First Session – Achieving Qatar National Vision 2030
  • Second Session – Growing an Investor-Friendly Destination
  • Third Session – Faster, Smarter, Better: Modernising Qatar’s Justice System

2025 Programme

Achieving Qatar National Vision 2030

8:00 – 8:45 AM
Badge Pick-up, and Breakfast
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

  • H.E. Mohammed Bin Ahmed Bin Twar Al Kuwari – First Vice-Chairman, Qatar Chamber

  • Faisal Al-Sahouti – CEO, Qatar International Court & Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC)

  • Mubarak Al-Sulaiti – Chairman of Qatar Lawyers Association, Founder & Chairman of Al Sulaiti Law Firm

  • Hilal Al Khulaifi – Group Chief Legal, Regulatory & Corporate Governance Officer, Ooredoo Group

9:15 - 10:15 AM
Panel 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 (QICDRC)

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 the 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 & Juris Doctor Program 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

Note: * Topics and times are subject to change. Q&A will follow each presentation, time permitting.