The Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) recently hosted a seminar titled “Contractual Terms in Times of Crisis: Force Majeure and Other Disruptive Circumstances,” aimed at addressing the challenges that unforeseen events pose to contractual obligations and business operations. The event gathered legal and industry experts to explore both the legal and commercial implications arising from disruptions and to identify practical strategies that businesses can implement to maintain continuity during periods of uncertainty.

Moderated by Umar Azmeh, the seminar featured contributions from Lemoushmi Devi, Associate Director at Deloitte; Rupert Bastick, Founding and Managing Director of Mena Consultants; and Charbel Maakaron, Managing Partner at Crowell & Moring Doha. The discussion centered on force majeure clauses, risk allocation mechanisms, crisis preparedness, and evolving best practices for drafting and managing commercial agreements in volatile environments.

Azmeh emphasized the need for organizations to proactively enhance contractual resilience by ensuring that agreements remain adaptable to sudden and unforeseen challenges. He noted that the seminar offered valuable insights for legal and commercial professionals, enabling them to exchange perspectives and discuss actionable solutions to better respond to disruptive circumstances.

Devi highlighted the increasing complexity of operating in uncertain and rapidly changing environments, stressing that a clear understanding of contractual frameworks is essential for effectively managing risk and ensuring business continuity. The speakers collectively acknowledged that Qatar’s robust economic environment contributes significantly to the stability of commercial transactions, even amid periods of disruption.

This seminar forms part of QICDRC’s broader initiative to encourage legal dialogue, facilitate professional knowledge-sharing, and raise awareness of emerging issues that influence Qatar’s legal and business landscape as well as the wider region. By fostering such discussions, QICDRC aims to support businesses and legal practitioners in navigating the evolving challenges posed by crises and disruptive events.