QICDRC launches new Mediation Service to encourage alternative dispute resolution

ENCOURAGING alternative dispute resolution through mediation, Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) launched a new Mediation Service on Saturday.

The launch ceremony held on the court premises was attended by local and expat lawyers from Qatar’s legal community and members of the media.

ollowing his welcome note, aisal Al Sahouti, CEO of the QICDRC, said: “The dedicated Mediation Service is an expansion of the court’s commitment to facilitating alternative dispute resolution through mediation. We are proud to extend our state-of-the-art facilities and services to leading businesses in Qatar.”

“Access to reliable Mediation Services is a cornerstone of a thriving commercial and financial ecosystem. We believe the new centre will be an important part of the local community by extending key services to local businesses,” he concluded.

Mediation proceedings will adhere to the official QICDRC Mediation Rules that outline the initiation process, appointment of an impartial mediator, fee structure, conduct and confidentiality of each mediation. Mediations are conducted in private and settlements are confidential.

A mediation can be initiated by the court or the Regulatory Tribunal, by virtue of a contractual provision, or through a voluntary request of one or more parties to a dispute. The individual circumstances of each dispute will determine the mediator’s course of action to guide the parties towards a dispute resolution objective. Mediation Services can be requested by all business in Qatar as well as crosscountry business disputes.

Sultan Al Abdulla, managing partner of Sultan Al-Abdulla Partners, commented: “The launch of the new QICDRC Mediation Service offers disputing parties yet another resolution alternative which in some cases can be more cost effective and faster than litigation or arbitration. Perhaps one of the most attractive aspects of mediation is that rather than fostering adversarial positions among the parties, it encourages dialogue to achieve an agreed resolution.

“As such mediation often preserves the relationship between the parties to a resolution discussion, limiting the detrimental impact of the disagreement. As a member of the QICDRC Mediation Panel, I am excited to support this important initiative. I encourage parties to consider seriously mediation as a means of dispute resolution, and I look forward to many successful mediations in the QICDRC’s first-rate mediation facilities.”