The third edition of Doha Arbitration Days 2026 commenced on Saturday, assembling arbitration and dispute resolution professionals from Qatar, the broader region, and international communities. The two-day event is held under the patronage of HE Ibrahim bin Ali bin Issa al-Hassan al-Mohannadi, Qatar’s Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, and is jointly organized by the Ministry of Justice, the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC), and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).
Participants are addressing a wide array of contemporary issues in arbitration and commercial dispute resolution, including the interplay between judicial systems and arbitration, challenges related to contracts, projects, supply chains, and force majeure conditions. The program also explores the evolution of arbitral institutions and their capacity to adapt to shifts in legal and business landscapes.
Dr Saad Ahmed al-Muhannadi, chairman of the Qatar Branch of the CIArb, emphasized the conference’s role as a professional forum designed to position Doha as a sustainable hub for regional and international dispute resolution. He highlighted that bolstering partnerships among stakeholders is key to advancing arbitration mechanisms and reinforcing Qatar’s standing as a preferred arbitration venue. Achieving this goal, he noted, depends on continued collaboration among relevant institutions and professionals.
Faisal Rashid al-Sahouti, CEO of QICDRC, explained that Doha Arbitration Days was created to provide a platform where arbitrators, legal practitioners, experts, and engineers can share expertise and experiences. He described arbitration as an essential tool for dispute resolution and a vital element of a stable business environment. Al-Sahouti underlined the need for comprehensive infrastructure development and training to nurture the country’s arbitration community, further describing arbitration as complementary to judicial processes by offering an alternative dispute resolution method within established institutional frameworks.
Sheikh Thani bin Ali al-Thani, chairman of the Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration, noted significant progress in Qatar’s arbitration sector, citing the Arbitration Law enacted in 2017 as a crucial milestone. He pointed to Qatar’s strategic geographic location and global connectivity as advantages supporting its capacity to host international arbitrations. Sheikh Thani also highlighted ongoing training programs in collaboration with Qatar University, which have qualified around 500 arbitrators over the past decade, some attaining international recognition.
Mubarak al-Sulaiti, chairman of the Qatar Lawyers Association, stressed that the conference agenda targets practical and timely topics pertinent to arbitration. He affirmed the Association’s role as a supporting entity, reflecting its commitment to fostering legal expertise and enhancing Qatari lawyers’ participation in dispute resolution.
Mohamed Ladhan al-Muhannadi, chairman of the Association of Experts and Arbitrators, suggested that the event could strengthen arbitration markets both regionally and globally, particularly amid economic challenges and political developments that may lead to increased commercial disputes.
Vice-Chairperson of the Qatar Lawyers Association, Mona al-Mutawa, reiterated that arbitration and judicial systems should be viewed as complementary rather than competitive. Lawyer Dr Asmaa Al-Qurra Daghi described Doha Arbitration Days as an increasingly prominent forum that unites arbitrators, judges, lawyers, academics, and specialists, advancing the professional and legal discourse on dispute resolution.