As part of Al-Ansari & Associates’ Workshop Series 2015 initiative, A&A discusses the legislative process under the legal system of the State of Qatar.

1. © Al-Ansari & Associates 2015
Qatar’s Legislative Process
Al-Ansari & Associates
7 April 2015

2. Private & Confidential
Content
© Al-Ansari & Associates 2015
 Historical Background
 Separation of Power
 Legislative Instruments
 Legislative Process

3. Private & Confidential
Historical Background
© Al-Ansari & Associates 2015

4. Private & Confidential
Separation of Power
© Al-Ansari & Associates 2015

5. Private & Confidential
Legislative Instruments
© Al-Ansari & Associates 2015
Law
• Most Powerful
• Proposed by Shura or Cabinet
• Approved by Shura Council
• Issued by H.H. The Emir
Decree
Law
• Issued in the absence of Shura Council
• Once convened has power by 2/3 to reject the law
• The law loses its effectiveness from the rejection date
Emiri
• Order: for example the appointment of the prime minister or a minister.
• Resolution: for example the establishment of authorities and institutions.
• Decree: for example the establishment of companies, for expropriation for public benefit, for the appointment of judge.
Council of
Ministers
• shall be issued by the Council of Ministries or Ministers pursuant to the law to regulate how to apply and execute
relevant laws or for the application of specific major issues.
Ministerial
Decisions
• shall be issued by a resolution of a Minister or a board of one of the governmental authorities in the state.

6. Private & Confidential
Legislative Process Under the
Amended Provisional System
© Al-Ansari & Associates 2015
Proposal by
Council of
Ministers
Shura
Council
Opinion
Issuance by
the Emir
Issue
Stop

7. Private & Confidential
Legislative Process Under the
Permeant Constitution
© Al-Ansari & Associates 2015
The issuance of the any law shall go through
the following:
 Propose: the Shura Council and the Council of
Ministers have the authority to propose laws.
 Discussion: the proposed law shall be
discussed by the Shura Council. However, the
articles related to the Shura Council are not
implemented until the new Shura Council is
elected. Until then the Shura Council’s opinion is
not obligatory.
 Issuance: H.H. The Emir has the discretion
either to issue the law or return it to the Shura
Council together with his proposed amendments
to be discussed and approved by it, and then
return it again to be issued by H.H. The Emir.

8. Private & Confidential
Permanent Constitution
© Al-Ansari & Associates 2015
Proposal by
Shura Council or
Council of
Ministers
Discussions by
the Shura
Committee
Issuance by the
Emir
Refer back with
comments
within 30 days
Propose the
same law again
by 2/3 votes
Issue
Stop

9. Private & Confidential
Al-Ansari & Associates
Your contact office is: Al-Ansari & Associates, Muraikh Tower, 14th Floor, Al Corniche, Old Salata Area, P.O.
Box 24533, Doha, Qatar | Tel +974 44913355| Fax +974 44913356 | www.alansarilaw.com. In this document
'Al-Ansari & Associates' means 'Al-Ansari & Associates and/or its affiliated undertakings'. Any reference to a
partner means a member, consultant or employee of 'Al-Ansari & Associates'. Al-Ansari & Associates is a
law firm licensed by the Lawyers Admission Bar at the Ministry of Justice.
Al-Ansari & Associates
Muraikh Tower, 14th Floor
Al Corniche, Old Salata Area
P.O. Box 24533
Doha, Qatar
T: +974 44913355
F: +974 44913356
info@alansarilaw.com
© Al-Ansari & Associates 2015