Commercial Contracts in Qatar

Commercial contracts in Qatar

The firm covers Qatar matters in cooperation with an announced partner office in Qatar. That partner office is not a branch owned by the firm, and the firm does not itself hold a Qatar law practice license; local licensing and representation are assessed for each matter. We draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts of all types - for example supply, distribution, agency and services agreements - and advise on how the contract should be framed before it is signed.

The legal framework in Qatar

Commercial contracts in Qatar are governed mainly by the Civil Code (Law No. 22 of 2004) and the Commercial Law (Law No. 27 of 2006). The Civil Code's chapter on contracts (Articles 64 to 191) covers how a contract is formed, including that a contract made by correspondence is concluded at the time and place the acceptance reaches the offeror, unless the parties or the law provide otherwise. The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) applies its own legal framework, so whether a contract sits inside or outside the QFC is settled early. Which rules apply depends on the contract type, the parties and the chosen forum.

How we work on a contract

We start with the parties, who can sign for them, the governing law and the forum. We then review or draft the clauses that carry the risk: price and payment, delivery and acceptance, termination, liability, confidentiality and dispute resolution. Signed versions, notices and the negotiation record are kept so a later disagreement can be handled on evidence. Where a disagreement already exists, see our dispute resolution practice, or read the General Commercial & Corporate overview. To scope a specific contract, contact our team. For Qatar, every clause is read against the Civil Code and the Commercial Law.

Drafting points for Qatar

Because correspondence can conclude a contract, we draft formation, entire-agreement and amendment clauses with care and say how and when a notice counts as received. Where the parties require a particular form, the contract states it: under the Civil Code neither party may plead that the contract was concluded unless it took the agreed form. We also confirm whether the counterparty is a mainland, QFC or free-zone entity.

MENA coordination

The firm was founded in Kuwait in 1986 and has a branch in Cairo. It covers MENA matters in cooperation with partner offices in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, and partner offices in Turkey and the United States. Those partner offices are not branches owned by the firm; local licensing and advice are assessed in the relevant jurisdiction.

This page is general information, not advice for a particular entity or transaction.

Frequently asked questions

What law governs commercial contracts in Qatar?

Mainly the Civil Code (Law No. 22 of 2004) and the Commercial Law (Law No. 27 of 2006). Which provisions apply depends on the contract type, the parties and the chosen forum.

When is a contract made by correspondence concluded under the Qatar Civil Code?

At the time and place the acceptance reaches the offeror, unless the parties agree otherwise or the law or usage requires otherwise. Where the parties stipulate a particular form, neither may plead the conclusion of the contract unless it takes that form.

Does the firm have an office in Qatar?

The firm covers Qatar matters in cooperation with an announced partner office in Qatar. That partner office is not a branch owned by the firm, and the firm does not itself hold a Qatar law practice license; local licensing and representation are assessed for each matter.

Other markets

Corporate & Commercial Law in Qatar · Commercial Contracts in Egypt · Commercial Contracts in Saudi Arabia · Commercial Contracts in the UAE · Commercial Contracts in Oman · Commercial Contracts in Bahrain