Qatar playing vital role in ADR: Expert

Tribune News Network Doha The International Chamber of Commerce Qatar (ICC Qatar) and Crowell & Moring on Tuesday, hosted an interactive programme on the ...

Tribune News NetworkDoha The International Chamber of Commerce Qatar (ICC Qatar) and Crowell & Moring on Tuesday, hosted an interactive programme on the growing commitment of Qatar and its institutions to mediation and other alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods as a means of resolving international disputes.Titled ‘Qatar’s Role in International Mediation & ADR’, the webinar discussed mediation and other ADR options and polled attendees for their awareness and views regarding the current and future use of ADR in Qatar. Tarek Saad, senior counsel at Crowell & Moring and head of its disputes practice in Doha, led the discussion. Saad, who also serves as ICC Qatar’s representative to the Paris-based ICC’s Task Force on ADR and Arbitration that studies ADR trends all over the world for the development of recommendations for member countries like Qatar, presented his perspectives on Qatar’s notable leading role in triggering implementation of the Singapore Convention on Mediation, which has been signed by 53 countries. He then launched a series of polls to attendees, covering mediation, dispute adjudication boards, expert determination, and current and future use of all forms of ADR. Participants were presented with real-time results after each poll, allowing them to gain immediate insight into the thoughts of others in the business and legal communities.On mediation, the poll revealed that parties are using Qatar institutions to administer mediations, and have had overwhelmingly favourable experiences. Attendees reported that mediation is an attractive alternative to court or arbitration because of its flexible process and greater ability to preserve business relationships even in the context of a dispute. Interestingly, over half of the poll favoured making mediation mandatory in commercial disputes that involved relatively smaller amounts.Some participants were less familiar with two ADR methods commonly referred to as dispute adjudication boards and expert determination but expressed their interest in learning more in future programmes.Saad said, “Today’s programme provided the business and legal community with a chance to report their experiences and express their views regarding ways of resolving disputes outside of court or formal arbitration. Of particular note is that half of those polled felt that current and future use of ADR methods have been and will continue to increase in Qatar.”