Qatar · Overview
The legal system of Qatar
A civil-law system whose 2004 Civil Code follows the Egyptian model, with Sharia governing personal status and applied by dedicated family benches. The civil code follows the Egyptian Civil Code of 1949, which transmitted French civil-law structure into the Arab world, while personal status, succession and family matters remain governed by Sharia as applied by the courts. As in the UAE, a financial centre operates on different foundations: the Qatar Financial Centre has its own civil and commercial regulations and the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre, a common-law court with international judges hearing cases in English. Labour law was substantially rewritten between 2017 and 2020, abolishing the exit-permit requirement and the employer no-objection certificate that had defined the kafala system, and introducing a non-discriminatory minimum wage.
Legal tradition
Qatar belongs to the mixed (civil law and islamic law, with a common-law financial centre) tradition. A civil-law system whose 2004 Civil Code follows the Egyptian model, with Sharia governing personal status and applied by dedicated family benches. The civil code follows the Egyptian Civil Code of 1949, which transmitted French civil-law structure into the Arab world, while personal status, succession and family matters remain governed by Sharia as applied by the courts. As in the UAE, a financial centre operates on different foundations: the Qatar Financial Centre has its own civil and commercial regulations and the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre, a common-law court with international judges hearing cases in English. Labour law was substantially rewritten between 2017 and 2020, abolishing the exit-permit requirement and the employer no-objection certificate that had defined the kafala system, and introducing a non-discriminatory minimum wage.
How power is divided
Unitary. Eight municipalities administered centrally, with a Central Municipal Council of twenty-nine elected members holding advisory functions over local services only.
Where law comes from
- The 2004 Permanent Constitution
- As amended in 2024; Sharia is a principal source of legislation.
- Emiri decrees and laws
- The principal legislative instruments.
- Civil Code 2004 and Commercial Code 2006
- Egyptian-model codifications of obligations and commerce.
- Sharia
- Governs personal status, family and succession for Muslims.
- QFC regulations
- Separate civil and commercial regime applying within the Qatar Financial Centre.
The legal profession
Advocacy before the ordinary courts is reserved to Qatari nationals on the roll of advocates, with foreign lawyers licensed as consultants; onshore pleadings are in Arabic. The QICDRC admits common-law practitioners and sits in English. Attestation before the Ministry of Justice notary is required for powers of attorney, company documents and real property transfers.
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