Corporate Legal Consultancy in Qatar: Ongoing Legal Counsel

Legal counsel for companies in Qatar: ongoing advice before disputes arise

Every business operating in Qatar needs legal input when it signs contracts, manages staff, responds to claims and keeps up with legislative change. Not every business, however, needs a full in-house legal department. That is where corporate legal consultancy in Qatar on an ongoing basis, in effect an outsourced legal department, comes in.

How does an ongoing legal counsel arrangement work?

The company agrees with Al Murqab Law Office a defined scope of work for an agreed period, covering recurring advice and reviews, for a fee set in advance and in writing according to the expected workload and the nature of the business. The scope can include:

• Answering day-to-day legal questions from senior management and HR.
• Reviewing contracts and standard customer and supplier terms.
• Monitoring legislative changes that affect the business and flagging their impact.
• Preparing legal correspondence, formal notices and responses.
• Attending important meetings and negotiations where needed.

Larger, one-off matters such as litigation or a full restructuring are usually handled under a separate engagement setting out their scope and fees.

Company formation, restructuring and foreign ownership in Qatar

Sound legal work starts before a company is registered. The choice of legal form, the split of shares and the drafting of the memorandum of association later determine partners' rights and liabilities, how decisions are taken and how disagreements are resolved.

The core legal framework

• The Commercial Companies Law, promulgated by Law No. 11 of 2015 and amended by Law No. 8 of 2021, which governs company forms, incorporation, management and general assemblies.
• Law No. 1 of 2019 regulating the investment of non-Qatari capital in economic activity, which allows non-Qatari investors to hold up to 100% of the capital in most sectors, subject to the applicable conditions and approvals. Certain activities are excluded, such as banks and insurance companies (unless the Council of Ministers decides otherwise) and commercial agencies.
• Commercial registration and licensing with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• The Qatar Financial Centre platform, for businesses that choose to establish there, which operates under its own rules pursuant to Law No. 7 of 2005.

How we help

• Advising on the most suitable legal form, such as a limited liability company or a joint stock company, in light of the activity, the number of partners and growth plans.
• Drafting the memorandum and articles of association and partner agreements.
• Guiding you through approval for non-Qatari capital investment where required.
• Restructuring: admitting and exiting partners, changing capital, converting the legal form and mergers.

For practical detail, see our guides to company formation in Qatar and foreign ownership and company formation. If your business represents foreign brands, read about commercial agency in Qatar. For specialist corporate matters, see our corporate lawyers in Qatar page.

Drafting and reviewing commercial contracts for companies

Many commercial disputes that reach the courts start with a vague or incomplete clause. When we draft and review contracts, we focus on what actually protects the business, not just on form.

Contracts we draft and review

• Supply, distribution and services agreements.
• Construction contracts and subcontracts.
• Commercial agency and franchise agreements.
• Commercial leases.
• Partner and joint venture agreements.
• Employment contracts, confidentiality and non-compete agreements.
• Settlement and debt rescheduling agreements.

Clauses we examine closely

• Governing law and forum: the Qatari courts, or arbitration under the Law on Arbitration in Civil and Commercial Matters promulgated by Law No. 2 of 2017.
• Payment terms and security: payment dates, cheques and bank guarantees.
• Performance: delivery and quality obligations and delay penalties.
• Liability: limits on compensation and force majeure.
• Termination: grounds for termination, renewal and the consequences of breach.
• Language: which version prevails if the Arabic and English texts differ.

Read more in our guides to commercial contracts in Qatar and arbitration in Qatar, or see our commercial law services.

Regulatory compliance for companies in Qatar: the laws to track

Compliance is not a file you open only when an inspection is due. A breach can mean fines, blocked transactions or liability for managers. As part of our corporate legal consultancy, we help you understand your obligations and turn them into workable internal policies and procedures.

Employment matters and Qatar Labour Law for businesses

Employment relationships are one of the most common sources of disputes, especially at termination. We help companies comply with the Labour Law promulgated by Law No. 14 of 2004, as amended, and handle difficult cases in a way that reduces risk.

• Drafting employment contracts, disciplinary rules and internal policies.
• Disciplinary and termination procedures and calculating end-of-service gratuity.
• Reviewing notice periods and resignation and annual leave and working hours.
• Handling complaints before the labour relations department and the Labour Dispute Settlement Committees established under Law No. 13 of 2017; see our guide to labour complaints in Qatar.
• Assessing the risk of unfair dismissal claims before a decision is taken.

For more, see our labour law services.

Corporate debt collection and commercial dispute resolution in Qatar

Late-paying customers strain cash flow, and delay in acting can weaken a company's position. We follow a staged, considered approach:

1. File review: the contract, invoices, purchase orders, correspondence and cheques.
2. Amicable demand: followed by a carefully drafted formal notice.
3. Negotiation: a written payment schedule with appropriate security where possible.
4. Legal action: proceedings before the competent court, or arbitration where the contract provides for it.
5. Enforcement: pursuing enforcement under the Judicial Execution Law promulgated by Law No. 4 of 2024, which lists cheques among enforceable instruments.

Where are commercial disputes heard?

• The Investment and Trade Court, established by Law No. 21 of 2021, which hears disputes over commercial contracts, disputes between merchants, partner and shareholder disputes, intellectual property, banking and insurance, bankruptcy, e-commerce and more.
• The QFC Civil and Commercial Court, part of the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre, for disputes within its jurisdiction.
• Arbitration, where there is a valid arbitration agreement; see our arbitration and dispute resolution services.

See also our guides to debt collection in Qatar, bounced cheques and litigation in the Qatari courts.

Corporate governance, shareholder and board matters

Good governance stops disagreements between partners from turning into disputes and protects directors from personal liability. Our work here includes:

• Preparing minutes of general assemblies and partner and board resolutions.
• Drafting shareholder agreements: voting rights, pre-emption rights, exit mechanisms and deadlock resolution.
• Applying the disclosure and conflict-of-interest obligations strengthened by Law No. 8 of 2021.
• Organising general assemblies held by modern technology, with electronic voting, within the limits the law allows.
• Advising on partner disputes and the liability of managers and board members.

Family businesses

Family businesses face particular challenges when management passes between generations or a partner dies. We help structure ownership and management early, taking account of the rules on inheritance in Qatar, to protect the continuity of the business and the family.

Who our corporate legal consultancy serves

• SMEs: businesses that need sound contracts, clear staff policies and regular legal support without the cost of an in-house legal department.
• Foreign investors: entering the Qatari market, choosing an investment structure, incorporating, concluding first contracts and hiring, with communication in English and Arabic.
• Family businesses: governance, partners' rights and succession planning.
• Entrepreneurs and start-ups: choosing a legal form, founders' agreements and protecting ideas and trade secrets through contracts.

Every company is handled in complete professional confidence. Start with a legal consultation to assess your company's needs, or contact us to discuss the right scope of engagement. For the wider legislative framework, see our guide to Qatar law.