The Supreme Judiciary Council (SJC) officially commenced the 2026-2027 judicial year yesterday, underscoring its commitment to modernizing the judicial system and enhancing the delivery of justice in line with its 2025-2030 strategic framework. This initiative aligns with national development goals and the broader objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
The SJC outlined that the new judicial year aims to improve judicial efficiency, accelerate dispute resolution, and advance the use of modern technologies within the justice sector. Central to these priorities are efforts to raise the quality of judgments and judicial services, advance digital transformation, enhance judicial enforcement, and strengthen institutional governance. The council emphasized these measures will promote efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability within the judicial system.
Dr. Hassan bin Lahdan al-Hassan al-Muhannadi, President of the SJC and the Court of Cassation, highlighted the launch as a continuation of ongoing reforms designed to reduce litigation times and improve services for litigants. He noted the importance of leveraging digital innovations and artificial intelligence to support faster judicial procedures, reinforcing principles of swift justice and ensuring wider accessibility to legal services.
The council plans to build on digital advancements made in recent years, including an expansion of electronic litigation services. In 2025 alone, courts handled nearly 110,000 requests via electronic portals and applications, with early 2026 figures showing continued growth in online service utilization. Additionally, the Family Documentation Department processed more than 65,000 electronic transactions last year.
Remote litigation capabilities have also been strengthened, with courts conducting over 5,000 video hearings and the Court of Cassation initiating virtual sessions. The SJC is exploring further expansions of virtual services through platforms such as WhatsApp, and aims to employ process automation to streamline provision of judicial services.
Artificial intelligence remains a key focus area, building on the deployment of a Smart Assistant in the Criminal Court which aids in benchmarking legal precedents and summarizing case details. Future plans include extending AI applications to civil courts and supporting analytical research to enhance judicial decision-making.
The council also identified modernizing the judicial legislative framework and updating procedural guidelines—including those for remote hearings—as critical elements of the second phase of the National Initiative for Developing Justice Systems.
Dr. al-Muhannadi emphasized the essential role of judges in adopting innovative procedures, while commending cooperation from the legal community. The readiness of courts, judicial chambers, and supportive departments to implement these integrated operational plans signals a strong commitment to maintaining high performance standards and achieving the council’s strategic objectives in the coming year.
Overall, the SJC’s approach reflects a concerted effort to promote a more efficient, accessible, and technologically advanced judiciary in Qatar, aiming to better serve the needs of society and meet evolving national priorities.