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 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 and 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 and 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.