Doha, Qatar: The Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs HE Ibrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi affirmed that Qatar's legislative system is set to undergo significant qualitative transformations in the coming period, shifting from a need-based legislative approach to one based on legislative impact assessment.
At the same time, he emphasized that justice, in its broadest sense, is not the sole domain of legal professionals; rather, it is a societal and personal value, that stems from the individual.
Speaking on Thursday at a panel discussion hosted by the Community College of Qatar as part of the President's Dialogue Series, His Excellency said that the legislative impact assessment methodology would entail two main phases: an ex-ante (preliminary) impact assessment and ex-post (retrospective) impact assessment.
These phases aim to measure the extent to which legislation and administrative decisions achieve their intended objectives and determine the most suitable tools and methods for service delivery.
Regarding technological advancement and artificial intelligence, HE noted that digital transformation is both inevitable and essential for enhancing services; however, it remains a means rather than an end.
He stressed the necessity of humanizing the law and procedures and maintaining a human filter for technology-generated outputs, while ensuring the availability of alternative channels for those who face difficulties accessing electronic services.
HE Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs reviewed mechanisms for enhancing transparency and community engagement.
He highlighted the expanded use of the interactive 'Sharek' platform to gauge public opinion on policies, draft laws, and existing legislation.
He also noted that the Ministry of Justice is developing the Qatari legal portal, Al-Mizan, to facilitate seamless and objective access to legal information for all members of society.
With regard to the social concept of justice, HE explained that the Qatari Constitution establishes justice as a fundamental pillar of society, alongside with benevolence, freedom, equality, and high moral values. He called upon all members of society to set a good example and embrace individual responsibility, thereby transforming justice from mere legal text into a daily social practice rooted in fulfillment of duties and securing of rights.
HE also emphasized the significance of individuals being aware of their rights and obligations and ensuring the legal documentation of all sorts of transactions and contracts.
He clarified that such documentation is not a matter of trust or suspicion, but rather a regulatory framework that safeguards the rights of individuals and institutions while preventing disputes.
