QSAT Holds the First Online Hearing

The Qatar Sports Arbitration Tribunal (QSAT) held its first virtual hearing last week, as part of the operational plan approved by Qatar Sports Arbitration Foundation (QSAF) to combat the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which included the approval of QSAT Emergency Provisions-Coronavirus (COVID-19) by the General Assembly of QSAF.

During the hearing, all parties including the arbitrators, QSAT staff and lawyers all appeared from different locations across four different countries i.e. the State of Qatar and Sultanate Oman. During the hearing, the tribunal heard the oral arguments of the parties through employing the state-of-the-art audio and visual technology.

In his statement Mr. Ibrahim Khalil Al Muhannadi, President of Qatar Sports Arbitration Foundation, has expressed his satisfaction that the first session was held successfully virtually, especially that it included parties located outside the State of Qatar. Mr. Al-Muhannadi added that the measures taken by the QSAF including the Emergency Provisions of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) which was approved by QSAF’s General Assembly and the electronic infrastructure employed were aiming to ensure that access to justice is maintained during the pandemic and to preserve the rights of the parties.