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Qatar: QICCA registered cases amounting to nearly $824mln in 2023

Doha, Qatar: Secretary-General of the Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration

(QICCA) of Qatar Chamber, Ibrahim Shahbik, stated that the Centre made significant

achievements last year. He emphasized its vital role in promoting the arbitration within the

Qatari legal and business community since its establishment in 2006.

In a statement, Ibrahim Shahbik said that commercial arbitration is one of the most effective

Alternative Dispute Resolution. He noted that it is based on speedy, specialized, and efficient

means in settling disputes between the parties.

Elaborating on QICCA’s accomplishments in 2023, Shahbik noted that the value of cases

received by the Centre last year amounted to approximately QR3bn, and that most cases

registered by the centre related to construction and contracting contracts.

He said that an arbitral awards for nearly 35% of the total number of cases were rendered last

year, while nearly 40% of those cases are not yet finalized.

Shahbik pointed out that Qatari arbitrators presented more than 50% of those appointed to hear

arbitration proceedings in 2023. Additionally, 70% of the arbitral proceedings conducted under

QICCA rules for 2023 were in English, in accordance with the parties' agreement.

Shahbik further said that arbitration has contributed to easing the burden on national courts, as it

is characterized by flexibility in procedures and specialization in arbitrators chosen by the

parties, to resolve the disputes that are related to a specific commercial environment that has

special rules and foundations, as is the case in the trade of construction and technology.

Regarding QICCA’s objectives, Shahbik said that it aims to promote alternative means of

resolving civil and commercial disputes, spread its culture, improve its practices, and develop the

Centre’s relationship with regional and international centres.

He pointed out that the Centre is constantly holding training courses with the aim of preparing

arbitrators through specialized courses in the field of arbitration in accordance with international

standards.

The Centre also holds seminars and conferences specialized in arbitration and mediation and

participates in international conferences in the field of international commercial arbitration.

The Centre is constantly holding training courses with the aim of preparing arbitrators through

specialized courses in the field of arbitration in accordance with international standards, adding

that the Centre prepared 435 arbitrators, including 175 Qataris.