ESSA MOHAMMED AL SULAITI
Essa Al-Sulaiti Law Firm provides a broad range of corporate and commercial advisory services with a focus on dispute resolution, though it expects sports law to become a growing area with the upcoming World Cup.
BIOGRAPHY
Essa Mohammed Al Sulaiti is a Qatari attorney and arbitrator, certified by the GCC Commercial Arbitration Centre and the Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration. He is a member of the Qatar Lawyer's Association. In addition, Al Sulaiti has established an excellent working relationship with legal associations and entities such as the IBA, ICC, and Lexis Nexis. Drawing on prior experience under reputable Welsh and Qatari law firms, he founded the Essa Al-Sulaiti Law Firm in 2015 to effectively align his practice with a personal mission: addressing the emerging legal demands of Qatari and international businesses operating in his home country.
What is your expertise in sports legislation?
We also specialize in sports law, though we have not seen the same challenges in sports law; however, with the approach of the World Cup, we anticipate more points that will require legal action to settle. We will see legal changes emerging as sporting events start to take on increasing importance. We need to have enough legal practitioners in place to ensure we can satisfy growing demand. Qatar is preparing a specific law for the World Cup. This law will be applied for only a short period of time in order for Qatar to meet the specific challenges we might face in this area. This law will be for special occasions and applied only temporarily when such events take place. Eventually, we will take a few articles and make them permanent if it is determined that they are necessary on a longer-term basis. The main goal of this law is to take control and manage such events. Many people were treating this area in a laissez-faire manner, and the government wanted to take more control. It has done an excellent job in terms of sending legal practitioners to other major sporting events to understand how to navigate these issues.
What impact will the new foreign ownership law have on new companies in Qatar?
Qatar has been highly focused on trying to make things much easier. Foreign investors used to be allowed to have 100% ownership of companies, though there were certain procedures that had to be fulfilled to achieve this. It was difficult to reach this point. Now, however, certain sectors have 100% ownership without these requirements, which significantly helps the economy. Qatar has now allowed 100% ownership in areas where the country really needs international investment and experts. We have seen a great deal of improvements in these areas, and many companies are interested in entering these markets with 100% ownership. This law, however, does not prevent foreign companies from engaging in partnerships with local companies. Many foreign companies are also interested in the partnership route. The real domestic expertise comes from those Qatari companies that have been here for years. We see many JVs being established.
What is the impact of the new exit visa law for improving the rights of employees in Qatar?
There are many changes and impacts in these areas right now. This law will definitely help competition. Whenever there is freer movement of people, the market improves. Additionally, this is a key human rights matter that has to be put into consideration. It helps build trust between employers and employees as well help Qatar build trust with the international community. I have written a book on labor law that will be a comprehensive resource in both Arabic and English.
Based on your experience, what legislation is currently lacking in Qatar?
The first thing we have to understand is what we are missing. This is the most important matter in terms of understanding what we need to do to improve. We have already begun implementing changes in order to tackle and improve these issues. As soon as a new law or procedure is implemented, we have to give it time to understand how it will develop and what the feedback will be. We have to make these changes in a deliberate and considered manner. Foreign investors appreciate seeing a market that moves in a steady and predictable way, and this is exactly what we offer. This is why we improved our arbitration law in 2017 to help foreign investors and to make them trust the market and the economy of Qatar. They now have broader freedom to choose how a dispute will be arbitrated.
ESSA MOHAMMED AL SULAITI
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, CEO, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority
Given its successful performance in the last few years, QFC is optimistic it will be able to capitalize on Qatar's ongoing efforts to create a world-class business environment and attract more global companies.
read articleInterview
Lolwah R M Al-Khater, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is focused on pushing forward Qatar's foreign policy, sharing information and perspectives that could be useful for regional security and advancing the Qatari narratives on many issues facing the world today.
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Richard O’Kennedy, Vice President, Research, Development, and Innovation, Qatar Foundation
The first country in the world to track its citizens' genomes, Qatar is on track to make one of modern science's biggest breakthroughs by personalizing medical treatment and precision care.
read articleInterview
Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister, Transport and Communications (MoTC)
With plans for a fully electric bus system and an impressive set of interconnected transportation options including metro, rail, and tram, the Ministry of Transport and Communication is shifting mobility into the next gear in Qatar.
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Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud Al Thani, Governor, Qatar Central Bank (QCB)
Encouraging local manufacturing, initiating self-sufficiency in dairy and farm products, expanding into new air and sea routes, offering select visa-free entry, and enacting fiscal reforms are but several of the successful reforms undertaken since 2017.
read articleInterview
Sean Kelly, Project Director, Place Vendôme
Place Vendôme is no ordinary mall: with 650 hotel rooms, a 6,000-sqm cinema with 18 screens, six slides, three toboggan runs, and an ice river opening in September 2020, it is looking to slide into Qatar's tourism infrastructure in time for the World Cup.
read articleInterview
Mehmed Zingal, General Manager, Turkish Airlines - Qatar
With its 30th year celebration of its Miles&Smiles club launch in Qatar, Turkish Airlines is acknowledging its continued diligence to provide the best customer service, with targets to increase customer happiness through innovative technologies and increasing tourism to Qatar for the future.
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Hassan Rashid Al-Derham, President, Qatar University (QU)
Ranked in the top-500 universities by the Times Higher Education, Qatar University improves students' academic success by supporting students throughout their academic lifecycle, from the pre-university stage to beyond graduation.
read articleFocus
A lesson learned
The international attention set to fall on Qatar over the coming years is significant only to the extent that it generates advances in human capital required by Qatar's blueprint, National Vision 2020, where local know-how and innovation advance the nation and promote wellbeing.
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Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health & Managing Director,, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)
The health minister is committed to continuing the growth of Qatar's healthcare system, with plans for more than 20 new facilities specializing in pediatrics, geriatrics, and mental health.
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