Rights
A 2004 permanent constitution with a hereditary Emir
The 2004 Constitution establishes a hereditary emirate in which the Emir holds executive authority. Islamic law is named as a principal source of legislation.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — Court of Cassation is the highest court. The Constitutional Court rules on constitutionality of legislation.
Governing law
- Permanent Constitution of Qatar 2004, in force 2005
- Law 12 of 2008 on the Supreme Judiciary Council
In practice
The 2004 Constitution replaced the provisional basic law and formalised the separation of powers on paper while leaving executive authority with the Emir, who appoints the Prime Minister and can rule by decree when the Shura Council is not sitting. The first Shura Council elections in 2021 filled thirty of forty-five seats, and the constitutional amendment approved by referendum in 2024 reverted the Council to full appointment, which is a significant retreat from the 2021 position and is often missed in material written between those dates. Article 1 names sharia as a principal source of legislation rather than the sole source.