Arbitration Agreement Template for Qatar

An Arbitration Agreement is a binding contract where two parties agree to resolve their future disputes through arbitration instead of going to Qatari courts. When you sign this agreement, you're choosing to have qualified arbitrators hear your case privately, following Qatar's Arbitration Law No. 2 of 2017.

These agreements are especially common in Qatar's construction, real estate, and commercial sectors. They typically save time and money compared to court litigation, keep disputes confidential, and let parties choose arbitrators with specific expertise. The final decision (award) is legally enforceable in Qatar and most other countries through international treaties.

Include an Arbitration Agreement when setting up major business deals in Qatar, especially for construction projects, joint ventures, or international trade contracts. It's particularly valuable when working with partners from different countries or when you need industry experts to resolve potential disputes.

Use this agreement during initial contract negotiations, not after problems arise. It works well for complex technical matters, confidential business relationships, and situations where you need faster resolution than Qatari courts provide. Many multinational companies operating in Qatar's energy sector and free zones make these agreements standard in their contracts to ensure efficient dispute handling.

• Standard Institutional Arbitration: Uses established arbitration centers like QICCA (Qatar International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration) with their pre-set rules and procedures
• Ad Hoc Arbitration: Parties create custom rules and choose independent arbitrators directly, common in specialized industry disputes
• Domestic Commercial Arbitration: Follows Qatar's local arbitration law for disputes between Qatari entities
• International Arbitration: Incorporates international arbitration rules and conventions, often used in major construction or energy sector contracts
• Islamic Arbitration: Includes Sharia-compliant dispute resolution principles, popular in Islamic finance agreements

• Business Owners and Executives: Make strategic decisions about including Arbitration Agreements in contracts and set dispute resolution policies
• Legal Counsel: Draft and review agreements, ensure compliance with Qatari law, and advise on arbitration strategy
• Construction Companies: Regularly include these agreements in project contracts to manage technical disputes efficiently
• International Investors: Rely on arbitration clauses for reliable dispute resolution when operating in Qatar
• Arbitration Centers: Administer proceedings and provide institutional rules referenced in agreements
• Government Entities: Use arbitration for major infrastructure projects and public-private partnerships

• Identify Parties: Gather full legal names, addresses, and registration details of all entities involved
• Choose Arbitration Rules: Decide between QICCA rules or other institutional rules that suit your dispute type
• Select Venue: Specify Qatar or another location for arbitration proceedings and applicable law
• Define Scope: List which types of disputes will be covered by the arbitration process
• Language Selection: Specify Arabic, English, or both as official languages for proceedings
• Arbitrator Details: Determine number of arbitrators and selection process
• Cost Allocation: Decide how arbitration expenses will be shared between parties

• Written Form: Clear documentation in Arabic or English, signed by authorized representatives
• Party Details: Complete legal names and addresses of all parties to the agreement
• Arbitration Scope: Specific description of disputes covered under the agreement
• Governing Law: Express choice of Qatar law or other applicable legal framework
• Arbitration Rules: Reference to QICCA or other chosen institutional rules
• Arbitrator Selection: Process for appointing arbitrators and their required qualifications
• Procedural Details: Language, venue, timeline, and cost allocation provisions
• Confidentiality Clause: Terms protecting sensitive information during proceedings

An Arbitration Agreement differs significantly from an Agency Agreement in both purpose and legal effect under Qatari law. While both are binding contracts, they serve distinct functions in business relationships.

• Dispute Resolution Focus: Arbitration Agreements specifically handle conflict resolution outside courts, while Agency Agreements establish representation rights and duties
• Legal Framework: Arbitration Agreements fall under Qatar's Arbitration Law No. 2 of 2017, whereas Agency Agreements are governed by Qatar's Commercial Agency Law
• Duration and Trigger: Arbitration Agreements activate only when disputes arise, while Agency Agreements operate continuously throughout the business relationship
• Parties Involved: Arbitration involves disputing parties and arbitrators, while Agency relationships exist between principals and their appointed agents
• Enforcement Mechanism: Arbitration decisions are final and internationally enforceable; Agency Agreements rely on standard contract remedies through courts