HE Qatar Chamber's Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani said that the State of Qatar was at the forefront of the signatories of the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation, known as the Singapore Convention on Mediation, which entered into force on 12 Sept, pointing out that mediation is a fast, efficient, and low-cost way to resolve disputes between parties.
This came during a webinar held by the Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA) at Qatar Chamber with the aim of marking the International Law Day and celebrating the Entrance into Application of the Singapore Convention. The virtual event was attended by many specialists, legal experts and arbitrators.
HE stated that mediation has recently acquired increasing importance as one of the most important alternative means for settling commercial disputes. This has made many countries interested in adopting legislation related to mediation procedures through courts, or through arbitration centers specialized in resolving commercial disputes, he added.
Underlining the Qatar Chamber's interest in arbitration, HE Qatar Chamber's Chairman said that the Chamber has established the Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA) to encourage parties of the commercial relationship to activate the mediation principle in resolving disputes.
On his part, HE Qatar International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA) Board Member for International Relations Sheikh Dr. Thani bin Ali Al-Thani said that Qatar was among the first three countries that ratified the convention, citing that HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani issued an instrument of ratification approving the Convention on Feb 12, 2020.
HE affirmed that the ratification means enforcing settlement agreements resulting from mediation in world countries, starting with the three countries that have ratified this agreement, namely Singapore, Fiji and Qatar.
His Excellency also said that Qatar's accession to this Convention would open new perspectives for arbitration and settlement as one of the alternative means of resolving disputes, thus providing an appropriate environment for the success of commercial businesses. HE expressed QICCA's welcome to the implementation of this Convention in three countries, including Qatar.
"53 countries signed the Singapore Convention. This indicates that world countries are interested in adopting mediation and conciliation as means of settling disputes between commercial companies, economic entities and financial institutions." he added.
A number of topics related to mediation as a way of resolving disputes were discussed during the webinar. The speakers gave a presentation on the beginning of mediation in Qatar as the first steps for resolving disputes, which was followed by the judicial system in 1971.
The speakers indicated that due to the progress of societies and expansion of legislation, the number of cases increased, and accordingly the alternative means for dispute settlement such as arbitration and mediation emerged.
The speakers also highlighted the differences between mediation and other alternative means of dispute settlement such as arbitration, noting that the low cost of these means and the speed of their procedures contributed to the increasing spread of the culture of arbitration and mediation.
Additionally, the speakers highlighted the impact of Singapore Convention on encouraging mediation in the Arab World, the role of Singapore Convention in enhancing the efficiency of mediation and arbitration clauses and Qatar's positive and effective role as it is the third countries to ratify the Convention.
Business / Business
Qatar Chamber's Chairman: Qatar at the forefront of signatories of Singapore Convention on Mediation
Qatar Chamber
