Professor Clinton Francis, founding dean of CLPP, said: “This is part of a regular colloquium series which reinforces the application of local, regional and international best practices, and ensures that the Juris Doctor program is responsive to Qatar’s needs in serving learning and thought leadership objectives for students, professionals, executives and ministries. Arbitration, which is the topic of the current colloquium, is a crucial subject, as countries within the region and globally are increasingly relying on this mechanism as a primary method for resolving disputes when it comes to international trade. The field of arbitration is expected to continue seeing record levels of growth as countries around the world experience economic prosperity driven by cross-border investments.”

Panel members and participants at the colloquium will explore the in-depth history, present state, and future of arbitration in the Middle East with a special emphasis on Qatar and its role in the region. They will address the benefits and challenges of legal frameworks established in the Arab world that were adapted to suit local needs from other countries, such as the UNCITRAL Model Law, along with topics including the enforcement of outcomes resulting from arbitration. 

The keynote address at the colloquium will be delivered by Sheikh Thani bin Ali Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration. Among the speakers will be invitees from the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre, Sultan Al-Abdulla & Partners, as well as HBKU.