The Potential Role of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Resolving Intellectual Property (IP) Disputes Within Qatar, Aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 16

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) has become essential for resolving intellectual property (IP) disputes, offering faster, cost-effective, and flexible procedures that enhance commercial predictability while reducing litigation burdens. However, ADR alone does not guarantee effective access to justice, a core principle of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16.3.
This paper argues that ensuring meaningful access to justice in IP disputes requires moving beyond traditional arbitration and mediation toward an integrated legal and technological framework. Innovations such as Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) and decentralized arbitration improve accessibility, expedite proceedings, and lower costs in cross-border disputes. A structured institutional framework is needed to embed ADR within a coherent legal system.
Qatar offers a compelling case study, given its cultural emphasis on amicable settlement and mediation, rooted in the Arab legal tradition. By integrating indigenous dispute resolution methods with digital technologies, Qatar can develop an ADR model that aligns with international best practices while enhancing justice in IP disputes and build the foundation for revamping the ADR ecosystem in Qatar to support the vision of the nation to become a hub for mediation and Arbitration in technology and IP dispute.
This article contributes to discussions on the intersection of IP law, ADR, and legal technology by proposing a framework that balances efficiency with justice imperatives. It advocates for a multidimensional approach that moves beyond ADR-centric models to create an inclusive, technologically adaptive, and legally coherent system for resolving IP disputes.