National Address Law a qualitative leap in judicial procedure: SJC Chairman

Doha: Chairman of the Supreme Judiciary Council (SJC) and President of the Court of Cassation H E Dr Hassan bin Lahdan Saqr Al Mohannadi (pictured) affirmed that the National Address Law published in the Official Gazette yesterday represents an addition to the Qatari law, adding it is a major step in the development of national legal declaration systems, especially since Qatar is one of the first countries to adopt this legislation as a medium of official declaration.

H E the Chairman said in a press statement that the first electronic announcement will take place six months after the publication of the law in the official gazette, and that all transactions with governmental and non-governmental entities will be carried out after that. He stressed that the national address law embodies the directives of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim Hamad bin Al Thani, and implements HH the Amir’s vision to facilitate citizen transactions, reduce bureaucracy, ease litigation procedures and achieve justice to keep up with the rapid developments witnessed by the society in all fields.

He said that the new law represents a qualitative leap in the judicial procedures and contributes to reducing the problems of judicial declarations that impede the functioning of the courts, as it allows the competent authority to identify one or more address details of the national address to make judicial declarations and official notifications.

H E the SJC Chairman explained that according to the law, every person in the State of Qatar, a natural and legal citizen or resident, will have a national address that provides legislative assistance to governmental and non-governmental bodies in taking the necessary measures, and ensures access to the persons concerned in cases related to personal interests and the general welfare of the state.

Dr Al Mohannadi added that this address has a binding and direct legal authority and legal effect in judicial declarations and all transactions, as the official means of declaration, pointing out that the national address includes data related to (address of residence, fix and mobile telephone, e-mail, and address of employer in public and private sectors, the permanent address abroad, if any, and any other data specified by the competent authority).

It serves all citizens and residents in their transactions with various governmental and non-governmental entities, without the need for traditional paper correspondence.

Dr Al Mohannadi pointed out that Qatari and non-Qatari individuals, institutions and companies should provide the competent authority at the Ministry of Interior with the national address as a mandatory procedure of the law, and that failure to report this will result in criminal punishment and specific penalties stipulated under the law. He added that the law obligates every person in the State of Qatar, whether Qatari or resident, to provide a national address with key data required by the law and determined by the competent authority in the Ministry of the Interior, and that individuals are obliged to update their data on a timely basis. Minor or incompetent date, which shall be provided by the legal representative: parent or guardian, shall be reliable, he said.

Dr Al Mohannadi added that the competent authority in the Ministry of Interior will identify one or more address data of the national address though which declarations and official notifications will be made, expressing his confidence in the success of the Ministry of Interior in implementing the provisions of this law with all that it has of capabilities and preparations.