Umar Azmeh

Introduction

Umar is a dual qualified barrister and solicitor, and is currently undertaking DPhil research into terrorism sentencing, focusing on the most dangerous terrorism offenders. He is supervised by Professor Julian Roberts KC and Professor Andrew Ashworth CBE KC. 

He is currently the Registrar of the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC).

Background

This is Umar’s second time at Oxford having received an M.Sc. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Oxford (Worcester College) for which he was awarded a distinction and the Roger Hood Prize for the highest marks in the year.  He was called to the Bar of England and Wales by the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple who awarded him a Benefactors’ Scholarship to fund his studies on the Bar Vocational Course. 

Umar practised as a barrister, predominately specialising in criminal law for several years, and also conducted litigation on behalf of the Attorney General. He went on to qualify as a solicitor at a City firm in London, where he gained significant experience of corporate crime and investigations. He then worked at the Criminal Appeal Office at the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) as a lawyer, which included working with and advising the senior judiciary. He was also part of a small team of lawyers that represented the Registrar of Criminal Appeals in the Criminal Procedure Rules Committee. Prior to working at the QICDRC, Umar worked for a top-ranked boutique criminal law firm specialising in investigations work.

QICDRC

Umar oversees the management of cases that come before the Qatar Financial Centre Civil and Commercial Court and the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Tribunal, serves as a member of the senior management team, and sits on the Judicial Advisory Board. His role entails a judicial function - a procedural role within cases and he is also the costs Judge - a management function overseeing the Registry team, a financial function overseeing the Registry budget, and a leadership/ambassadorial function. A key part of the role is strategic planning for the QICDRC, and he represents the QICDRC on the international stage.

In April 2025, the first edition of Azmeh and Nicol on the Law and Practice of the QFC Civil and Commercial Court (general editors: Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales and President of the QICDRC, and Dr Muna Al-Marzouqi (QICDRC Judge)), was published by LexisNexis. He also wrote the first edition of the User Guide to the QFC Civil and Commecial Court, published in December 2023 (the 'Maroon Book') by the QICDRC.

Recent awards and recognition whilst at the QICDRC

1. LexisNexis Middle East Legal Awards - Legal Personality of the Year 2024 (June 2024).
2. LexisNexis Middle East Legal Awards - Government Lawyer of the Year - Final 3 (May 2025).
3. LexisNexis Middle East Qatar Law Awards - Government Lawyer of the Year - Runner-Up (November 2025).
4. LexisNexis Middle East Qatar Law Awards - Government Legal Department of the Year (November 2025).