Qatar law belongs to the civil-law tradition, which is based on codification: legal rules are set out in written legislation, such as the Civil Code, the Penal Code and the Civil and Commercial Procedures Law, which judges apply to the facts before them. At the same time, Islamic Sharia holds a central place in the legal system, as the Permanent Constitution provides that Sharia is a main source of legislation.

Several features of Qatar's legal system matter to anyone dealing with it, whether citizen, resident or investor:

  • Modern, evolving legislation: many core laws date from 2004 onwards and continue to be amended and supplemented by implementing regulations.
  • A multi-tier judiciary: now organised by the Judicial Authority Law promulgated by Law No. 8 of 2023.
  • Specialist forums: such as the Investment and Trade Court, the Qatar Financial Centre courts and the committees for labour and rental disputes.
  • Arabic: the official language of the State and the language of the national courts, with interpreters used for those who do not speak it.

Sources of law in Qatar: the Constitution, legislation and Sharia

The sources of Qatari law are ranked as follows:

  1. The Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar: the highest legal norm in the State. It was issued on 8 June 2004 following a referendum held on 29 April 2003, published in the Official Gazette on 8 June 2005, and amended by the 2024 constitutional amendments after the referendum of 5 November 2024.
  2. Laws and decree-laws: ratified by the Amir and published in the Official Gazette, forming the bulk of the rules applied in practice.
  3. Implementing regulations and decisions: such as Council of Ministers and ministerial decisions issued under the laws, which contain much of the practical detail.
  4. Islamic Sharia: a main source of legislation, whose influence is most visible in the Family Law governing marriage, divorce, custody, maintenance and inheritance.
  5. Custom and principles of justice: Article 1 of the Civil Code sets out the sources a judge turns to where no legislative text applies, including Islamic Sharia, custom and principles of justice.

Qatar's courts and dispute resolution bodies

The Judicial Authority Law promulgated by Law No. 8 of 2023, which replaced Law No. 10 of 2003, organises Qatar's courts in three tiers:

Court of First Instance
The first tier, hearing civil, commercial, criminal, family and other cases.
Court of Appeal
Hears appeals against judgments of the Court of First Instance.
Court of Cassation
The highest court, reviewing judgments on points of law.

Specialist circuits and bodies

  • Administrative circuits: Law No. 7 of 2007 created an administrative circuit in the Court of First Instance and an appellate administrative circuit in the Court of Appeal to hear administrative disputes, including challenges to administrative decisions.
  • Investment and Trade Court: established by Law No. 21 of 2021 to hear disputes over commercial contracts, partner and shareholder disputes, intellectual property, banking and insurance, bankruptcy, e-commerce, non-Qatari capital investment and more.
  • Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC): comprising the QFC Civil and Commercial Court and the Regulatory Tribunal under the QFC Law No. 7 of 2005. Its amendments include Law No. 16 of 2024, which shortened the period to appeal first-instance judgments to 30 days.
  • Labour Dispute Settlement Committees: established under Law No. 13 of 2017 and chaired by judges, hearing disputes not settled amicably by the labour relations department. See our guide to labour complaints in Qatar.
  • Rental Disputes Settlement Committee: hears landlord and tenant disputes within its jurisdiction under Law No. 4 of 2008.
  • Arbitration: governed by the Law on Arbitration in Civil and Commercial Matters, Law No. 2 of 2017. See our guide to arbitration in Qatar.

For how a case progresses in practice, see our guide to litigation in the Qatari courts.

Key Qatari laws: a reference table of numbers and years

The table below summarises the principal laws of Qatar, with each law's number, year, key amendments and subject matter. The data was checked against the Al Meezan Qatar Legal Portal and official sources.

LawNumber and yearWhat it governs
Permanent Constitution of the State of QatarIssued 2004, published 2005; amended by the 2024 constitutional amendmentsThe system of government, public authorities, and public rights and duties.
Judicial Authority LawLaw No. 8 of 2023, repealing Law No. 10 of 2003The organisation of the courts, tiers of litigation and judges' affairs.
Civil CodeLaw No. 22 of 2004Contracts and obligations, liability for harm, ownership and property rights.
Penal CodeLaw No. 11 of 2004; amendments include Law No. 14 of 2024Criminal offences and their penalties.
Criminal Procedure CodeLaw No. 23 of 2004; amendments include Law No. 6 of 2020Evidence gathering, investigation, trial and appeals in criminal matters.
Civil and Commercial Procedures LawLaw No. 13 of 1990; amendments include Law No. 3 of 2019Filing, hearing and appealing civil and commercial cases.
Judicial Execution LawLaw No. 4 of 2024, replacing the enforcement book of the Procedures LawEnforcement of judgments and enforceable instruments, including cheques and registered or authenticated leases.
Commercial LawLaw No. 27 of 2006Commercial acts and merchants, commercial contracts, negotiable instruments such as cheques, and bankruptcy.
Commercial Companies LawLaw No. 11 of 2015, amended by Law No. 8 of 2021Company forms, incorporation, management and governance.
Law Regulating the Investment of Non-Qatari Capital in Economic ActivityLaw No. 1 of 2019Foreign ownership percentages, conditions, incentives and guarantees.
Labour LawLaw No. 14 of 2004; amendments include Law No. 13 of 2017 and Decree-Law No. 18 of 2020Private-sector employment: contracts, wages, leave and termination.
Family LawLaw No. 22 of 2006Marriage, divorce, custody, maintenance, wills and inheritance.
Law on Arbitration in Civil and Commercial MattersLaw No. 2 of 2017Arbitration agreements, tribunals, procedure, awards and enforcement.
Real Estate Lease LawLaw No. 4 of 2008, as amendedLeases and their registration, landlord and tenant rights, and the Rental Disputes Settlement Committee.
Law Regulating Non-Qatari Ownership and Use of Real EstateLaw No. 16 of 2018The areas and conditions in which non-Qataris may own or use real estate.
Advocacy Law (legal profession)Law No. 23 of 2006, amended by Law No. 19 of 2025Conditions of practice, lawyer registration and duties, fees and discipline.
Personal Data Privacy Protection LawLaw No. 13 of 2016Individuals' rights and the duties of those processing personal data electronically.
Cybercrime Prevention LawLaw No. 14 of 2014Offences committed through networks, information systems and IT means.
Law on the Settlement of Administrative DisputesLaw No. 7 of 2007, amended by Law No. 12 of 2013 and Law No. 15 of 2019Jurisdiction of the administrative circuits over challenges to administrative decisions and other administrative disputes.
Law on the Entry, Exit and Residence of ExpatriatesLaw No. 21 of 2015; amendments include Decree-Law No. 23 of 2019 and Decree-Law No. 19 of 2020Expatriates' entry, residence and exit, and the obligations of sponsors and recruiters.
Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing LawLaw No. 20 of 2019, amended by Decree-Law No. 19 of 2021 and Law No. 18 of 2025Criminalising money laundering and terrorist financing, and due diligence and reporting duties.
Law Establishing the Investment and Trade CourtLaw No. 21 of 2021The court's jurisdiction over commercial and investment disputes and its procedures.
Qatar Financial Centre LawLaw No. 7 of 2005; amendments include Law No. 16 of 2024QFC bodies, including the Civil and Commercial Court and the Regulatory Tribunal.

Where to read the official texts of Qatari laws

The main reference for the laws of Qatar is Al Meezan, the Qatar Legal Portal, a comprehensive database of legislation in force, amended and repealed since 1961, together with indexed Court of Cassation judgments and their legal principles. The Supreme Judicial Council also provides information on the courts and their e-services.

Tips for searching Al Meezan

  • Check the legislation card for the date of issue, number of articles, status (in force or repealed) and date of publication in the Official Gazette.
  • Look for amending laws, because the original text may not reflect the current position.
  • Read the implementing regulations and related decisions, which contain much of the procedural detail.
  • Rely on the Arabic text, which is the official version, and use English translations for understanding only.

Qatari law guides by topic

Al Murqab Law Office has prepared practical guides that explain the laws of Qatar in plain language, grouped by topic:

Employment

  • End-of-service gratuity in Qatar
  • Notice periods and resignation
  • Annual leave and working hours
  • Unfair dismissal
  • Filing a labour complaint

Companies and commerce

Family and inheritance

Criminal matters

  • Bounced cheques
  • Travel bans
  • Cybercrime

Real estate

  • Rental disputes
  • Property ownership by non-Qataris

Litigation and procedure

All articles are available on our legal insights page.

When do you need a lawyer to apply Qatari law?

Reading the text of a law is a useful step, but it is not always enough to make a sound decision. We recommend speaking to a lawyer when:

  • The matter has significant financial consequences, or affects your liberty, your family or your residence.
  • The law has recently been amended, or is governed by detailed implementing regulations and decisions.
  • There is a deadline to appeal, file a grievance or respond to a notice.
  • You are unsure of the competent forum: a court, a specialist committee or arbitration.
  • You are about to sign a contract, settlement or acknowledgement that would be hard to undo.

Al Murqab Law Office provides legal consultation in Qatar for individuals and corporate legal consultancy for businesses across all our practice areas, in Arabic and English. Learn more about the firm or contact us.