Articles · November 2026
The role of the engineering expert before the Qatari courts
By Eng. Salah Salem Al-Bakri — Accredited Arbitrator at the Qatar International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA), and Ministry of Justice accredited engineering and real-estate expert
In cases involving construction, real estate and engineering systems, the outcome often turns on precise technical questions: Was the work carried out to specification? What caused the defect? What is the value of the completed works? Who bears responsibility for the delay? This is where the engineering expert comes in, acting as the court’s technical eye.
The regulatory framework for expert work in Qatar
Expert work in the State of Qatar is governed by Law No. (16) of 2017 regulating expert work, and the Ministry of Justice registers experts in approved rolls according to their specialisation. A registered expert may not practise before the judicial authorities until he has taken the legal oath, which gives his reports their official standing and binds him to the rules of the profession and the duty of impartiality.
How is an expert appointed?
When the court considers that a matter before it requires a specialist technical opinion, it issues a decision appointing an expert, or a committee of experts, from those registered in the rolls. The appointment decision defines the scope of the assignment: the tasks the expert must examine, the documents to be reviewed, and the deadline for filing the report. The expert must remain within the limits of this assignment.
What does the expert do during the assignment?
- Corresponding with the parties: the expert invites the parties to expert meetings after sending them the queries relevant to the case and receiving their responses, hears their statements, and receives their documents and submissions.
- Reviewing documents: contracts, drawings, specifications, payment certificates, correspondence and site records.
- Site inspection: inspecting the site, building or system in dispute, and documenting its condition with minutes and photographs.
- Corresponding with bodies outside the case: the assignment may require the expert to write to government authorities or other parties, at the court’s direction or as he considers necessary, to obtain the information and documents that enable him to prepare the report fully and clarify the matter for the court.
- Technical analysis: linking the facts to the contractual obligations and engineering practice, and carrying out the necessary calculations.
- Preparing the report: filing a written, reasoned report that addresses each task of the assignment with clear findings.
Impartiality is the foundation of the role
A court-appointed expert does not represent any party; he works in the interest of justice. He is therefore bound by impartiality and independence, by treating the parties equally, and by disclosing any relationship or interest that might raise doubts about his neutrality. The real value of the report comes from this impartiality as much as from technical competence.
What weight does the expert report carry before the court?
The expert report is an important item of technical evidence in the case, but the final word remains with the court. The court may adopt the report in whole or in part, ask for it to be completed, or appoint another expert. The parties may submit their comments and objections on the report. A reasoned report supported by documents is therefore the one best able to withstand objections.
Court-appointed expert and party-appointed expert
Alongside the expert appointed by the court, many parties engage a party-appointed (consultant) expert who works on their behalf: reviewing their technical file, preparing technical memoranda, attending expert meetings with them, and helping their lawyer understand the engineering aspects. This role is legitimate and important, provided it remains clear that it represents one party’s view, not the opinion of the court.
Advice to parties before the expert assignment
- Prepare a complete file in chronological order: the contract and its annexes, drawings, correspondence, payment certificates and minutes of meetings.
- Attend expert meetings on time; absence costs you the opportunity to present your position.
- Submit your responses in writing and support them with documents, not orally only.
- Review the report as soon as it is filed, and submit your technical comments within the set deadlines.
- Engage a specialist consultant expert in complex technical cases.
Conclusion
The engineering expert is a bridge between the language of engineering and the language of the courts, turning complex technical detail into clear findings on which the court can rely. When the parties understand the expert’s role and procedures, they can manage their dispute with awareness and improve their chances of a fair judgment.
This article is for general awareness and does not constitute legal advice. For procedures and deadlines specific to your case, please consult your lawyer.