Qatar

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 01, May 2025: Massar Business Solutions and Omani & Partners are pleased to announce their strategic alliance, combining legal excellence and business innovation to deliver integrated solutions across Saudi Arabia and the wider region. Founded with a mission to serve the corporate law, property, and litigation needs of businesses across all five continents, Omani & Partners LLP brings unmatched expertise in both domestic and international commercial contracts. Their team of highly specialized professionals includes university professors, former judges, senior state attorneys, and international law experts. This partnership reflects the shared vision of both organizations to support businesses and government entities in Saudi Arabia by delivering world-class legal counsel, strategic advisory, and cutting-edge business technologies. By combining Massar’s expertise in business incorporation, client onboarding, and visa facilitation with Omani & Partners’ elite legal services, the partnership will enable clients to confidently navigate complex regulatory environments, safeguard their interests, and expand across borders. “This partnership marks a transformative moment for businesses operating in the MENA region and globally,” said Steven Little, CEO of Massar Business Solutions. “Together with Omani & Partners, we are building a robust ecosystem that not only addresses today’s challenges but also paves the way for sustainable growth and success in the future.” “At Omani & Partners LLP, we are proud to collaborate with Massar Business Solutions to deliver integrated legal and business services that meet the evolving needs of the Saudi market. Together, we are committed to supporting clients with innovative, practical solutions that enable sustainable growth and cross-border success.” said Dr. Nasser Al-Adba, Founder and Managing Director of Omani & Partners LLP. The collaboration also emphasizes a strong commitment to thought leadership and global engagement. Omani & Partners is actively involved in international legal forums and maintains key relationships with courts, and academic institutions worldwide. Companies across Saudi Arabia and beyond can now benefit from a powerful combination of business facilitation and world-class legal support, prepared to meet the demands of a fast-evolving market and are ready to lead clients to new heights of strategic success. For enquiries, please contact [email protected] For information on Massar Business Solutions visit www.massaraa.com For information on Omani & Partners LLP visit Omani & Partners

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Omani & Partners LLP, a leading law firm specializing in dispute resolution, corporate and commercial law, and emerging legal fields, has officially opened its new office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This expansion marks a significant step in the firm’s commitment to supporting businesses in the Kingdom, aligning with the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Strategic Growth in a Dynamic Market The Riyadh office enhances Omani & Partners’ ability to deliver tailored, on-the-ground legal solutions in one of the world’s most transformative markets. The firm’s expertise spans real estate and construction claims, mergers and acquisitions, technology-related matters, and litigation, positioning it as a trusted advisor for businesses navigating the Kingdom’s evolving legal and regulatory landscape. Leadership Driving Excellence The Riyadh office is spearheaded by Managing Partner Mr. Ibrahim Al-Amiry, with Counsel Ahmed Helmy bringing additional expertise to the team. Together, they provide clients with actionable insights and practical solutions for the Kingdom’s most complex legal challenges.   Strengthening Regional and Global Capabilities Omani & Partners’ presence in Saudi Arabia, and its headquarters in Doha, Qatar, enhances its ability to provide seamless legal support across the GCC and beyond. The firm’s global network ensures clients receive efficient, tailored solutions for cross-border matters. About Omani & Partners LLP Omani & Partners LLP is a premier law firm offering expertise in dispute resolution, corporate and commercial law, and emerging legal fields. Combining deep regional knowledge with a global perspective, the firm empowers businesses to succeed in today’s fast-evolving legal and economic environment.     For more information or to connect with the Riyadh team, please contact: Riyadh - Prince Mohammed bin Salman Road - Al Aqeeq District. Ibrahim Al-Amriy Managing Partner Tel: +966 59 857 4668 [email protected]

As an integral part of the Qatari society women are bestowed great consideration in Qatar. According to the constitution all persons are equal regardless of their sex, religion, language, or race. The constitution also warranted the principle of equality between all citizens in public rights and duties. Therefore, no provision in law prohibits women from sitting as arbitrators. The Civil and Commercial Procedures Code laid general requirements with respect to appointing arbitrators without any discrimination between men and women, article 193 of which stipulates: “An arbitrator may not be a minor, bankrupt, legally incapacitated person or a person deprived of his civil rights due to a criminal offence unless he has been rehabilitated.  If there is more than one arbitrator, the number shall, at all times, be an odd number, otherwise the arbitration shall be void. Subject to the provisions of special laws, arbitrators shall be appointed based on the arbitration agreement or an independent document”. The new draft Arbitration Law tackled the requirements to qualify as an arbitrator in more details, article 11 of which confined the appointment of arbitrators to those certified and listed in the national registry of arbitrators in the ministry. It also stipulates that the arbitrator cannot be a minor, under guardianship, have been deprived of his civil rights by reason of a judgment against him for a felony or misdemeanor contrary to honesty or due to a declaration of his bankruptcy; even if he was rehabilitated. Subject to the aforementioned requirements the second paragraph of the same article does not require the arbitrator to be of a given nationality, unless otherwise agreed upon between the parties or provided for by law. The new draft Arbitration Law indicated the duties of an arbitrator in more details. It required the arbitrator’s acceptance of his mission to be in writing. An arbitrator must be impartial, adhere to the principle of equality between the parties to ensure due process, and evade unnecessary delay or expenses in order to ensure an expedite and just mean to settle disputes, otherwise he must disclose any changes to the aforementioned. Accordingly, the new draft Arbitration Law is not different than its predecessor in relation to equality between men and women when appointing arbitrators, each is entitled to be appointed subject to the fulfillment of the conditions set by the legislation without any discrimination. Whereas Qatar International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration rules only required an arbitrator to be impartial, independent, and of a nationality other than the nationalities of the parties in case they are not of a common nationality. With no much difference Qatar Financial Center applies the same rules in this regard since it dictates impartiality and independence of arbitrators and permits determination of their required qualifications by the parties. Legislations of the GCC Countries conform to Qatar legislation with respect to requirements to qualify as an arbitrator, they all have set general rules and requirements for any natural person to qualify as an arbitrator without any discrimination between men and women. Though Arbitration has witnessed notable developments and growth in Qatar and the GCC countries, and their legislations impose no restrictions on women’s appointment as arbitrators, the Gulf women participation is still very insignificant in relation to Arbitration. We rarely read or hear about an appointment of a woman from the Gulf region as an arbitrator on a local, regional, or international level. Despite the growing number of female candidates in Law Schools in the GCC Countries and the good presence of women in the legal arena as lawyers, consultants, judges, or experts, Arbitration has not been embarked upon by the Gulf women yet. Likewise, the position of women regarding actual participation in arbitral proceedings on an international scale is not significantly different from the position of Gulf women. One statistic indicates that the number of arbitrators appointed in arbitral proceedings that took place at the ICC in Paris was 766 only 22 of them were women representing 3% and 744 of which were men representing the remaining 97%. While the number of female arbitrators appointed in arbitral proceedings that took place at the LCIA in London in 1998 was only 66 representing 1.5% of the total number. In 2011 318 arbitrators were appointed at the ICC, 36 of which were women representing only 11.32%. These percentages reflect the insignificant participation of women in Arbitration on an international scale. Hence, we may conclude that the minor participation of women in Arbitration is a global phenomenon. The fact that the Arbitration market is within the hands of few practitioners who are mostly men could also be an obstacle for women to embark upon Arbitration. In addition to that there is lack of a Gulf female role model in the Arbitration field which could encourage new female generations to engage in Arbitration. Big number of women start their careers in law, however very few reach high levels in the legal field, which is a phenomenon called “pipeline leak”. Among the proposed solutions to reinforce Gulf women participation in the Arbitration process is to conduct training courses and workshops for female law schools graduates in all topics of Arbitration in both languages; Arabic and English. In addition, Arbitration institutions should endorse their lists of arbitrators with female ones. Law firms should endorse their female associates to engage in Arbitral proceedings. Finally, Gulf women may convene in professional or virtual associations – such as the arbitralwomen.org website - to exchange experiences and encourage women to embark their professional lives as arbitrators.

In Qatar, a new law on Real Estate Property registration and ownership is underway to replace the existing old law. In the past, the ownership of property in Qatar was restricted to Qatari nationals. However, this changed in 2006 and now an expatriate person is able to possess and pass on the rights to their heirs. Another Law, Qatar Real Estate Development Law No (6) of 2014 which came into force in May 2014 is the first law in Qatar that regulate the construction of commercial and residential buildings for the purpose of selling units off-plan. The Real Estate Development Law is intended to provide a legislative protection for purchasers who buy off-plan units. Now a draft law, ‘Real Estate Property registration and ownership’ is being prepared, which proposes strict penalties like imprisonment for up to three years and fines of up to QAR 500,000 for obtaining real estate documents in an illegal way. There would a fine of QAR 10,000 for anyone who was found guilty of forging a real estate ownership document. By the new law all real estate owners are invited to register properties. It will specify the limits of real estate ownership for Qataris, the terms of registration and fines as well as imprisonment for violation of law. The new law will create a balance and will safeguard the rights of Qataris as well as GCC citizens and foreigners simultaneously. Legal evidences will be mandatory for registration and it should satisfy legal requirements. There should be proper ownership documents according to the law. It is expected that the 52 year old existing law will have a makeover without affecting the beneficial provisions, in order to meet the needs of the current developments and fast expansion of buildings. As per the existing law the real estate ownership is limited to Qataris with some exceptions mentioned in other laws which allow expatriates to own properties and land in some designated areas like ‘Lusail’, and ‘Pearl-Qatar’. In the draft law ‘usufruct rights’ are granted in some other areas. The law would be stipulating the establishment of a Real Estate Registration Committee at the Ministry of Justice through a ministerial decision. The Minister will specify the committee’s obligation, duties and responsibilities. The committee will consider applications of registration of real estate properties located within the towns and villages that are not registered and will consider complaints related to real estate evaluation and fees. More terms and conditions of the law are yet to be revealed. When coming back to the Real Estate Development Law issued in 2014, there are stringent penalties of fine and imprisonment for failure to comply with the provisions. A Real Estate Development Dispute Committee is established to settle related disputes and the Court of Appeal only can set aside the committee’s decisions. Proper license should be obtained by developers for selling off-plan units from the concerned department of the Ministry of Economy and Trade and to be registered on the Real Estate Developer’s Register at the Ministry in addition to other requirements of ordinary commercial registration as per other relevant laws. The licensee should be a Qatari if he is a natural person and devoid of any criminal background and bankruptcy, and should be registered on the Commercial Register and should have 3 years’ experience in the same field. Similar and more requirements are there for the registration of licence for juridical persons as Qatari companies. The above law states that a non-Qatari company can carry out such Real Estate Development works after taking proper license, only in areas where they can own property, further, the company should have been properly established outside Qatar and must have 10 years’ experience in construction and real estate development works and have finished such projects and should be duly registered in Qatar. Licenses are granted for 3 years and can be renewed for further periods of 3 years. Licensed developers will be included in a real estate developers’ register at the Ministry. Developers must start within 6 months of receiving approval from the Ministry for off-plan sales and the developer is required to submit progress reports as required by the Ministry. A maximum of 50% of the works can be given to the subcontractors with prior approval from the Ministry. An escrow account should be maintained for individual units to be sold off-plan to ensure that the money in the account are used only for the purpose of the development. Controls on financing multi-unit construction projects have also been introduced in the law to ensure there is enough capital in the project to support borrowing. The developer must first obtain the approval of the Ministry for selling off-plan units. There are certain requirements for getting such approval. Any selling and other acts in respect of unapproved units will be considered void. In addition to that, the Developer must register the units in accordance with the Real Estate Registration Law in the main Real Estate Register within 60 days after the Building Completion Certificate is issued to prevent any double-selling. There is Interim Real Estate Register for the registration of the units to be sold off-plan and all rights and subsequent dealings in them. Interim title deeds will be issued for each registered unit. Registered units can be freely sold and mortgaged. The Law stated that Developers must comply with the required status by the Law within 6 months of issuance, or such later date as determined by Ministerial Decision. While the Law is an important move towards the right direction, it needs more enforcement methods and should be adequate to face challenges and complexities.