Legal System of Qatar

Qatar is located in Middle East. It is geographically situated in middle east, peninsula bordering the persian gulf and saudi arabia. The country achieved independence on 3 september 1971 (from the uk). The capital is Doha.

Government Overview

Government Type: absolute monarchy Chief of State: Amir TAMIM bin Hamad Al Thani (since 25 June 2013) Head of Government: Prime Minister and Foreign Minister MUHAMMAD bin Abd al-Rahman Al Thani (since 7 March 2023) Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the amir Administrative Divisions: 8 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Khawr wa adh Dhakhirah, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Ash Shamal, Ash Shihaniyah, Az Za’ayin, Umm Salal National Holiday: National Day, 18 December (1878), anniversary of Al Thani family accession to the throne; Independence Day, 3 September (1971) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Qatar is described as mixed system of civil law and Islamic (sharia) law (in family and personal matters) International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: previous 1972 (provisional); latest drafted 2 July 2002, approved by referendum 29 April 2003, endorsed 8 June 2004, effective 9 June 2005 Amendment Process: proposed by the Amir or by one third of Advisory Council members; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of Advisory Council members and approval and promulgation by the emir; articles pertaining to the rule of state and its inheritance, functions of the emir, and citizen rights and liberties cannot be amended

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Supreme Court or Court of Cassation (consists of the court president and several judges); Supreme Constitutional Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 members) Judge Selection: Supreme Court judges nominated by the Supreme Judiciary Council, a 9-member independent body consisting of judiciary heads appointed by the amir; judges appointed for 3-year renewable terms; Supreme Constitutional Court members nominated by the Supreme Judiciary Council and appointed by the monarch; term of appointment NA Subordinate Courts: Courts of Appeal; Administrative Court; Courts of First Instance; sharia courts; Courts of Justice; Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Center, established in 2009, provides dispute resolution services for institutions and bodies in Qatar, as well as internationally

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of unicameral

Citizenship and Suffrage

Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: the father must be a citizen of Qatar Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Historical Background

Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar within the last 60 years transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant hydrocarbon revenues.

This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Qatar based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.