A unified vision for procedural reform
The newly enacted Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Court Rules, effective from 4 June 2025, introduced under Law No. 39 of 2025 apply to both the QFC Civil & Commercial Court and the QFC Regulatory Tribunal. These reforms are not merely technical updates, they are a strategic move to support Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and bolster investor confidence through a more agile and transparent judicial system.
Key innovations
The 2025 reforms focus on efficiency, digitalisation and procedural streamlining:
- National address system for service: Court documents can now be served using the national address registered with the Ministry of Interior, typically accessible via Metrash2 (Article 18, QFC Civil & Commercial Court Regulations). This method enhances traceability and expedites delivery.
- Electronic filing and service: Electronic filing is now the default mode for submissions, through the QFC Courts’ eCourt system (Article 8, QFC Civil & Commercial Court Regulations). Electronic service of claim forms is only permitted with judicial approval (Article 18.3.5, QFC Civil & Commercial Court Regulations).
- Claim form validity period: A claim form is now only valid for service for 60 days (reduced from 4 months) from the date it is issued by the QFC Court's Registry (Article 17.5 QFC Civil & Commercial Court Regulations).
- Default judgment procedure: A claimant may now obtain default judgments without a hearing if a defendant fails to respond (Article 22, QFC Civil & Commercial Court Regulations). This mechanism streamlines relief while still preserving a defendant’s rights to challenge judgments under specific conditions.
- Streamlined appeals process: Practice Direction No. 1 of 2025 introduces a paper-based review system for appeals, with permission granted only for arguable errors or serious risks of injustice. This system mirrors the English appellate model and aims to filter out meritless appeals. Appeal windows have now been reduced from 60 to 30 days (Article 36, QFC Civil & Commercial Court Regulations).
- Panel flexibility: Single-judge panels may now preside over certain cases with the President’s approval, enhancing judicial efficiency (Article 12, QFC Civil & Commercial Court Regulations).
- Updated court hours: The QFC Courts now operate from 08:00 to 16:00 Doha time, with filings after hours deemed lodged the next business day (Article 14, QFC Civil & Commercial Court Regulations).
Practical implications for businesses
For businesses operating within the QFC or engaging with Qatari legal institutions, these reforms carry several important implications:
- Faster dispute resolution: The shortened timelines for service and appeals mean that legal disputes should progress more quickly, reducing uncertainty and legal overhead for businesses.
- Digital-first compliance: With mandatory e-filing and electronic service mechanisms, businesses must ensure their legal departments and external counsel are equipped with the necessary digital tools and protocols to comply with the new standards.
- Operational readiness: The use of national addresses for service and the introduction of default judgments place a premium on timely responses. Businesses must ensure their internal processes are responsive to legal notifications.
- Investor confidence: These reforms align Qatar’s legal infrastructure with international norms, reinforcing the QFC’s reputation as a secure and efficient jurisdiction for investment and commercial activity.
Conclusion
The 2025 procedural reforms are a testament to Qatar’s forward-looking approach to justice. By embracing digital tools, clarifying jurisdictional boundaries (following the recent decision in University of Cambridge v The Holding WLL ([2025] QIC (A) 6), and streamlining Court processes, the QICDRC is setting a new standard for legal excellence in the region; one that businesses would do well to understand.
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