In a significant step to enhance legal knowledge in the State of Qatar and to mark the twentieth anniversary of the issuance of the Qatari Civil Code, His Excellency Mr. Ibrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, and His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Fetais Al Marri, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Lusail University, inaugurated the first comprehensive encyclopedia on Qatari civil law, authored by Professor Dr. Hassan Al-Barawi.
The inauguration occurred during an official ceremony held at Lusail University, attended by a distinguished group of legal and academic figures and judges, lawyers, and legal researchers.
This encyclopedia represents a valuable addition to Qatar’s legal library, providing a comprehensive reference for researchers and law students, as well as serving as an essential guide for lawyers and judges.
Comprising seven volumes, the encyclopedia is the culmination of twenty years of academic and professional effort, documenting fundamental rulings and principles of Qatari civil law. It links legal explanations with Qatari judicial rulings, offering a practical perspective that aids in understanding the real-world application of legal provisions.
The encyclopedia covers essential legal topics, starting with an introduction to Qatari law, followed by the general theory of obligations in its two parts—sources of obligations and provisions of obligations—extending to civil and commercial contracts such as sales, leases, and contracting. It also addresses property rights, insurance contracts, and Qatari labor law.
Dr. Hassan Al-Barawi emphasized that this work aims to provide a comprehensive reference covering various aspects of Qatari civil law based on judicial applications and court rulings. This enables students and researchers to grasp the law’s theoretical and practical dimensions.
He clarified that the encyclopedia is not solely intended for students of Lusail University and Qatar University but is designed for anyone studying or working in the legal field and seeking in-depth knowledge of Qatari civil law and its applications.
On the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony, a legal symposium was chaired by Sheikh Dr Thani bin Ali Al Thani, an associate professor at Lusail University. The session featured contributions from Professor Youssef Sultan Al-Abdullah, lawyer Youssef Ahmed Al-Zaman, and Professor Hassan Al-Barawi. The participants discussed legislative developments and challenges facing civil law in Qatar, highlighting the impact of the technological revolution on legal frameworks.
They affirmed that digital transformations have introduced new challenges to legal systems, necessitating the adaptation of legal frameworks to technological advancements and their integration into civil and commercial laws to ensure the continuity of justice and the protection of rights.
This encyclopedia is part of a broader effort to document and advance legal knowledge in Qatar. The country has previously witnessed the publication of several notable legal works, such as Introduction to the Study of Qatari Civil Law by Professor Dr. Mahmoud El-Sayed Abdel-Moati Khayal and Introduction to Legal Science: Theory of Law and Theory of Rights by Professor Dr. Ghaleb Ali Al-Dawoudi.
Furthermore, establishing the Qatar National Library in 1962, one of the oldest national libraries in the Arabian Gulf, has contributed significantly to enhancing legal studies by providing a valuable collection of rare manuscripts and books.
With the launch of this encyclopedia, Qatar continues to strengthen its legal infrastructure by providing reliable and comprehensive resources for those interested in the field of law. This initiative supports the country’s legal and academic development journey.
It aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to establish a modern and coherent legal system that promotes sustainable development and keeps pace with global transformations.
