Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) welcomed a Chinese judicial delegation, headed by Judge Zhao Hong, President of the Shanghai Financial Court, to its headquarters. The delegation was received by Faisal Rashid Al-Sahouti, CEO of QICDRC, and Abdullatef Al-Mohannadi, Deputy Registrar of QICDRC, along with several other QICDRC employees.
The delegation included esteemed members of the Shanghai Financial Court, including: Judge Zhao Hong, President of the Court, Mr Lyu Nanting, Deputy Director General of the Academic Committee of the Shanghai Law Society; Judge Wang Xin, Chief Judge of the Third Comprehensive Division; Ms Li Bei, Director of the General Office; Judge Xu Wei, Chief Judge of the Case-Filing Division; and Judge Xu Xiaoxiao, Director of the Research Office.
This visit marks a significant step in strengthening judicial cooperation between the two countries, building upon the collaboration established in 2021 under the leadership of the President of Qatar's Supreme Judiciary Court and the President of China’s Supreme People's Court; this was followed by a successful visit by the QICDRC to the Shanghai Financial Court towards the end of 2023. The discussions highlighted the crucial exchange of expertise, particularly in litigation alternative dispute resolution and optimizing the use of modern technology in case management to accelerate legal proceedings and ensure swift justice.
During the visit, a formal meeting was held between the delegations, where Faisal Al-Sahouti welcomed the Chinese delegation, and both parties explored opportunities for deepening cooperation and knowledge exchange. The Chinese delegation was provided with an in-depth overview of Qatar's achievements in establishing specialized courts, notably the Investment and Trade Court and QICDRC - the first specialized court in Qatar. The court plays a pivotal role in resolving commercial and investment disputes arising from the operations of global financial entities based within the Qatar Financial Centre and the Qatar Free Zones Authority. QICDRC is known for upholding the principles of independence, impartiality, and transparency, ensuring fairness for all parties involved.
The Shanghai Financial Court, founded in 2018, is China's first specialized financial court. It has played a critical role in enhancing the investment appeal of Shanghai, a leading financial hub and one of the world's foremost financial capitals. The court's establishment reflects China's commitment to attracting foreign investments and fostering trust through a judicial body focused on financial and commercial disputes, supported by experienced legal professionals with deep expertise in the financial sector.
During their visit, the Chinese delegation was introduced to QICDRC’s advanced "eCourt" system, a cutting-edge system that enables litigants to file cases, submit evidence, attend hearings, and move towards resolution and enforcement through secure electronic platforms. The delegation commended the system’s capabilities, noting its role in expediting the resolution of disputes and serving the best interests of all parties.
Concluding the visit, Faisal Al-Sahouti emphasized the importance of such engagements in advancing judicial cooperation and sharing best practices, particularly in leveraging technology within the judiciary. He underscored that the digitalization of court processes is now essential for delivering timely justice, enhancing the efficiency of the judicial system, and ultimately improving Qatar’s attractiveness as a destination for foreign investment and business growth.
