E-Tafakna is not a law firm. In accordance with applicable regulations, E-Tafakna provides legal information, a mobile application for generating legal documents based on templates, and a service for connecting both businesses and individuals with professionals in various service fields.
For 16 common contracts: what the law provides in Qatar, the formalities and the reference texts. Each card links to the full guide and to the template to generate.
The contract may be fixed-term or open-ended; probation is capped at six months, with one to two months' notice after probation.
An employment contract may be fixed-term or open-ended (Labour Law, art. 1); statutory rights are a minimum and any waiver is void (art. 4).
Probation is optional, up to six months, once with the same employer; the employer may end it with at least one month's notice (art. 39, as amended in 2020).
The Labour Law (Law No. 14 of 2004) caps a fixed-term contract at five years, renewable by agreement; if work continues after expiry without a new agreement, the contract is deemed renewed for an indefinite period.
Maximum duration of five years, renewable by agreement for one or more similar periods (art. 40).
Work continuing after expiry without a new agreement: the contract is deemed renewed for an indefinite period on the same terms (art. 40).
In Qatar, the Labour Law governs the apprentice's vocational training contract; the 2024 Qatarisation law requires employers to train the nationals they hire.
Written vocational training contract stating the trade, the length and stages of training and the apprentice's pay (Labour Law, art. 14).
Apprentice pay may never be set by piece or output (art. 14); an apprentice under 18 contracts through their guardian (art. 13).
In Qatar, resignation takes the form of written notice linked to length of service; failing to observe it can bar a foreign worker from a work permit.
After probation, either party may terminate the contract without giving reasons by notifying the other in writing (art. 49, Law No. 18 of 2020).
Notice of one month during the first two years of service, two months thereafter; failing that, compensation equal to the basic wage for the notice period (art. 49).
In Qatar, it is the absence of a relationship of subordination that places a freelance contract under the Civil Code rather than the Labour Law.
A freelance contract falls under the Civil Code (contract for work or services) rather than the Labour Law, where there is no relationship of subordination.
Occasional work outside the usual activity and not exceeding four weeks is excluded from the Labour Law (Arts. 1 and 3).
In Qatar, Law No. 5 of 2005 protects trade secrets; the NDA itself falls under the general law of contract (Civil Code, Articles 171 and 172).
A trade secret is protected if the information is not generally known, derives its value from being confidential and is subject to reasonable measures (Law 5/2005, Article 1).
The holder must limit access to persons bound by confidentiality and bears the burden of proving the measures taken (Article 6).
A cooperation agreement that creates no new structure falls under the general contract rules of the Civil Code; the unincorporated joint venture, without legal personality, is provided for by the Commercial Companies Law.
A cooperation agreement that creates no structure is governed by the general law of contract (Civil Code, arts. 64, 171, 172).
The joint venture company (société en participation) is undisclosed, with no legal personality and no publicity formalities (Law No. 11 of 2015, art. 53).
In Qatar, sales are governed by the Civil Code (Law No. 22 of 2004); Law No. 8 of 2008 protects consumers.
An obligation to transfer ownership of a specific item belonging to the seller transfers that right by operation of law, subject to registration rules (art. 246).
The claim under the warranty against defects lapses one year after delivery, even if the defect is discovered later, unless the seller fraudulently concealed it (art. 462).
Outside licensed banks, any payment above the principal lent is void; only the principal is due.
Outside licensed banks, any remuneration above the principal lent is void; the loan remains valid and only the principal is due (Civil Code, art. 568).
In case of delay, the judge may award damages if the creditor proves a loss (art. 268).
In Qatar, powers of attorney are authenticated by the Ministry of Justice; those made abroad still require consular legalisation.
The scope of the agent's powers is set by the power of attorney (Civil Code, art. 82); the agent returns the document once the mandate expires (art. 90).
The Ministry of Justice authentication department authenticates general and special powers of attorney: property, banks, vehicles, lawsuits.
The guides cover 16 contracts: Permanent employment contract, Fixed-term employment contract, Internship agreement, Resignation letter, Service agreement, Agreement between two parties, Freelance contract, Non-disclosure agreement (NDA), Partnership agreement, Sale of goods, Influencer agreement, Residential lease, Commercial lease, Acknowledgment of debt, Car sale agreement, Power of attorney. Each one sets out the essential clauses, the rules in Qatar and a template to customise online.
Each guide shows its last update date and its reference texts. This is general information and does not replace legal advice suited to your situation.
Open the contract guide, then generate the template on E-Tafakna: the questionnaire adapts the clauses, and the contract can then be signed online and archived.
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