Government and Politics of Qatar

 The State of Qatar is an absolute hereditary monarchy ruled by the Al Thani family.
 The Emir of Qatar is a monarch and serves as head of state and head of government.
 The House of Thani established their dynasty in the late 19th century and resumed power
after Qatar gained independence from Britain in 1971.
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
 Qatar is an emirate, and its Head of State (since
1995) is the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-
Thani. He holds the position of Minister of Defense
and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
 The head of government is the Prime Minister
Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani (since 2007),
and the Deputy Prime Minister is Ahmad bin
Abdallah al-Mahmud (since 2011). These positions
are appointed by the Emir
 There is also a cabinet/council of ministers, which
is appointed by the Emir.
 The council of ministers serves as the executive
body of the government Qatar. An advisory council
in making policy decisions assists the emir, an all-
powerful leader who answers to no one. The emir,
however, should uphold the Islamic Sharia law.
 Political parties are not permitted.
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
 The consultative assembly holds the legislative power of Qatar. The assembly consists of
30 elected members and 15 appointees of the emir. The unicameral assembly has three
primary roles according to the constitution.
 These roles include approving the national budget, passing legislation proposed by the
executive, and monitoring the activities of the cabinet members.
 For laws to pass in the assembly, they require a two-third majority vote. Members of the
assembly who are appointed by the monarch serve for unlimited terms while the elected
members serve for four-year renewable terms.
JUDICIAL BRANCH
 In 2007, an Administrative Court, a Constitutional Court, and Courts of First Instance,
Appeal, and Cassation were established. All judges are appointed by Amiri decree, on the
recommendation of the Supreme Judiciary Council (established in 1999). Terms are for
 three years. The legal system is based on Islamic and civil law codes, and a discretionary
system of law controlled by the Emir. Islamic law dominates family and personal issues.
 The courts of justice are divided into the following main categories:
The Criminal Court which comprises the Lower Criminal Court and the Higher
Criminal Court
- The Lower Criminal Court hears and decides on cases of minor offences and
misdemeanours. It is presided over by a single judge referred to as the lower criminal court
judge.
- The Higher Criminal Court hears and decides on all cases of major crimes as well
as appeals filed on sentences issued by the lower criminal court on minor offences. The
authorities of this court are vested on a tribunal comprising a judge known as the President
of the Higher Criminal Court and two judges as members.
 The Civil Court which comprises the Lower Civil Court and the Higher Civil Court and
also contains the Civil Department and Administrative Department
-The lower Civil Court is composed of a single judge called the lower Civil Court
Judge who hears and decides on all civil and commercial cases in which the disputed
amounts of money dose not exceed the sum of QAR100,000.
- The Higher Civil Court hears and decides on all civil and commercial cases were
disputed and cases of personal status of non-Muslims. It also acts in an appellant
jurisdiction in relation to dispute rulings of the Lower Civil Court. The court is formed of
three judges with the senior of them presiding over the court and holding the title of
President of the Higher Civil Court. Each of the other two judges holds the title of Higher
Civil Court Judge.
 The Court of Appeal which contains three divisions: Criminal, Civil and Administrative
- The Court of Appeal is responsible for deciding on the appeals filed against the
sentences issued by the Higher Criminal, Civil Courts, and Administrative and Labour
Courts, and comprises of three members.
 The Court of Cassation which contains four divisions Criminal, Civil, Administrative and
Constitutional.
-The Court of Cassation is the highest court in the Qatari judicial system. It is
responsible for deciding on the appeals filed against the judgment issued from the Court of
Appeal.
- The Constitutional Court was established by virtue of Law No. 6 of 2007 and
forms a division of the Court of Cassation.