The legal framework for administrative justice in Qatar
Law No. 7 of 2007 on the settlement of administrative disputes, as amended by Law No. 12 of 2013 and Law No. 15 of 2019, sets out the jurisdiction and procedures of Qatar's administrative courts. It established one or more Administrative Circuits of three judges within the Court of First Instance, with exclusive jurisdiction over the administrative disputes it defines, and an Administrative Appeal Circuit within the Court of Appeal. Where the law is silent, the Civil and Commercial Procedures Law and Law No. 12 of 2005 on cassation challenges in non-criminal matters apply (Article 11).
What the Administrative Circuit hears
- Disputes over salaries, pensions, bonuses and allowances due to employees or their heirs.
- Applications to annul final administrative decisions on the promotion of employees at first grade and below or equivalent, or on termination of their service, and disciplinary decisions concerning them.
- Applications by individuals and legal entities to annul final administrative decisions, subject to exceptions set by law.
- Claims for compensation for these decisions, whether brought on their own or alongside an annulment claim.
- Administrative contract disputes.
Grounds for annulment
An annulment application is admissible only if based on one of these grounds: lack of competence, a defect of form, breach of laws and regulations or error in applying or interpreting them, or abuse of power. An authority's refusal or failure to take a decision it was required to take under laws and regulations is treated as an administrative decision (Article 4).
Challenging government decisions in Qatar: deadlines and grievances
| Step | Rule | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Deadline for an annulment claim | 60 days from publication of the decision in the Official Gazette or the authority's bulletins, notification to the person concerned, or proof of their certain knowledge of it | Article 6 |
| Effect of a grievance | Filing a grievance with the authority interrupts the deadline | Article 6 |
| Decision on the grievance | Within 60 days of filing; a rejection must give reasons, and silence for 60 days counts as implied rejection, from which the claim deadline runs | Article 6 |
| Mandatory grievance | Required before claims to annul decisions on employee promotion, termination of service and disciplinary matters | Article 5 |
| Appeal against an Administrative Circuit judgment | 60 days from the date of judgment | Article 9 |
Filing an annulment claim does not automatically suspend the decision. However, where requested in the statement of claim, the Administrative Circuit may suspend certain decisions if the challenge appears serious and the effects of implementation would be difficult to reverse, or may order continued payment of all or part of the salary pending a ruling on a termination decision (Article 7). Annulment judgments are binding on everyone (Article 11).
What to prepare before contacting an administrative law lawyer in Qatar
- A copy of the decision you want to challenge, and proof of when it was published, notified to you or came to your knowledge.
- A copy of any grievance you filed, proof of its filing date, and any response.
- Documents establishing your legal position: appointment decision, performance reports, earlier licence and correspondence with the authority.
- A statement of any financial entitlements in dispute.
- A short written summary of why you believe the decision is unlawful.