DOHA: The government plans to set up a number of arbitration centres to resolve civil and commercial disputes. The idea is to help lighten the increasing burden on the civil courts.
Presently, due to the continuing economic boom, there is a substantial rise in the number of commercial and civil disputes going to the courts.
The Cabinet yesterday approved a draft law on civil and commercial arbitration after reviewing it following observations made by the Advisory Council and the Ministry of Justice about its provisions.
According to a QNA report, the Minister of Justice will issue executive regulations to help implement the law (once it is put into force after necessary approvals).
The draft defines the scope of the law’s application, arbitration agreement, terms of reference and composition of arbitration tribunal, arbitration proceedings and awards. But above all, the draft law talks of recognition and execution of arbitration and establishment of arbitration bodies and centres. The branches of foreign arbitration centers can be set up subject to the decision of the Minister of Justice.
Executive regulations will determine the rules and conditions for granting and cancelling the license of an arbitration centre and the fee charged. A record of approved arbitrators is to be developed by the justice ministry.
Contacted for comment, prominent lawyer, Yusuf Al Zaman, said the idea of setting up arbitration centers is to lighten the burden on the civil courts.
He said once the law is put into force, a copy of the arbitration award (decision) signed by the parties to a dispute will be forwarded to the civil court for endorsement.
The Peninsula
