Lectures to explain Qatari legal system

Manama: A series of lectures to simplify Qatari law for future entrepreneurs and local businesses will start on Monday at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar. Organisers said that by explaining how the local legal system worked, the lectures, open to the public, students and faculty, would equip the community with vital knowledge required to successfully set up a business in Qatar.

“The process of setting up a new business in Qatar can be confusing and entrepreneurs wishing to set up here are often deterred by the lack of transparency on legal matters,” Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar said. “The university recognises this challenge and has collaborated with local law firm AlMisnad & Rifaat to provide a series of community lectures to bring clarity on the rules to assist those in the process of setting up businesses and future entrepreneurs.”

The lecture series is organised by Carnegie Mellon Qatar professors Thomas Emerson and George White.

“Universities like Carnegie Mellon create the right environment to inspire new businesses to set-up,” Thomas Emerson, a professor of entrepreneurship, said. “The combination of bright students, talented faculty and open information creates an environment where local start-ups can flourish better than ever before. I hope that providing clarity on legal hurdles will encourage more businesses to set up here,” he said.

The first lecture in the series of four will be an introduction to foreign investment in Qatar presented by Aline Al Sayed, Senior Associate at local law firm AlMisnad & Rifaat. It will highlight general principles, exceptions, exemptions, special provisions, advantageous alternatives, forms of incorporation and possible ways to establish a legal presence in Qatar.

Aline joined AlMisnad & Rifaat in 2011 and is regularly involved in setting up companies in Qatar and advising clients in corporate and commercial law, as well as negotiating and drafting various business contracts.

The lecture on November 14 will address Employment Law, Property Law, Intellectual Property Law and Contract Law while Securities Law, Bankruptcy Law, Franchise and Taxation will be highlighted on November 21. The final lecture on November 27 will be on Dispute Resolution, Litigation and Arbitration.