Sheikh Ahmed Bin M Al-Thani

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al-Thani is the founder and President of Qatar International Law Firm (QILF), a full-service legal practice based in Doha, Qatar. Recognised for his expertise in banking and finance, he has been named Banking & Finance Law Expert of the Year in Qatar at the Corporate INTL Global Awards 2026.

From the bench to the bar

Sheikh Ahmed founded Qatar International Law Firm in 1996, having previously served as a judge in the Qatari Civil Justice Courts before transitioning into legal practice. That judicial background gives him a distinctive perspective on the law and its application, informing the counsel he provides to clients. Under his leadership, QILF has grown into a full-service firm providing legal services and advice to the local and international business community, with Dr. Yousef Ahmed Al Neama having joined the firm in 1999.

Banking, finance and Islamic finance in Qatar

The award recognises Sheikh Ahmed's standing in banking and finance law, a field of central importance in Qatar's rapidly developing economy. Qatar is a major financial centre in the Gulf, and its banking sector encompasses both conventional and Islamic finance. Islamic banking, structured to comply with Shari'ah principles, is a significant feature of the market and involves distinctive financing structures and legal considerations that differ from conventional lending. Advising in this area requires a firm command of Qatari law and regulation as well as an understanding of the commercial and religious frameworks that shape financial transactions in the region.

Qatar International Law Firm advises on banking and Islamic finance among a broad range of practice areas, supporting banks, businesses and investors in structuring and documenting transactions, managing regulatory requirements, and resolving disputes. For clients operating in or entering the Qatari market, experienced local counsel is essential to navigating a legal environment that blends civil-law traditions, Islamic principles and modern financial regulation.

A full-service firm serving local and international clients

Beyond banking and finance, QILF's practice spans criminal, business, labour, contracts and real estate law, among other areas, reflecting its positioning as a comprehensive legal services provider. The firm emphasises cost-effective strategies and alternative dispute resolution, and it serves a substantial international client base drawn from many countries, underscoring its role as a bridge between the Qatari legal system and the global business community. This breadth allows the firm to support clients across the connected legal issues that arise in commercial activity, from financing and contracting to regulatory compliance and dispute resolution.

Qatar International Law Firm

Headquartered in Doha at the Palm Tower, Qatar International Law Firm has, since its founding in 1996, built a reputation as an established full-service practice serving both the domestic and international business communities. Led by its founder Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al-Thani, the firm combines local knowledge with an international outlook, offering clients experienced counsel across a wide spectrum of legal needs.

Bridging Qatari law and international business

With a client base drawn from many countries, Qatar International Law Firm plays an important role in connecting the Qatari legal system with the international business community. Sheikh Ahmed's experience, first as a judge in the Qatari Civil Justice Courts and then as the founder of a full-service firm, allows him to guide clients through the interplay of civil-law rules, Islamic principles and modern financial regulation that characterises the Qatari market. In banking and finance in particular, this ability to navigate both conventional and Shari'ah-compliant structures is invaluable to banks, businesses and investors seeking to transact with confidence in one of the Gulf's most dynamic economies.

Corporate INTL Global Awards 2026

The recognition of Sheikh Ahmed Bin M Al-Thani as Banking & Finance Law Expert of the Year in Qatar — Corporate INTL Global Awards 2026 affirms his standing in Qatari banking and finance law. Corporate INTL's awards identify advisers who demonstrate consistent excellence within their jurisdiction and practice area. For banks, businesses and investors engaging with Qatar's financial sector, including its Islamic finance market, Sheikh Ahmed and Qatar International Law Firm offer knowledgeable, experienced guidance grounded in decades of practice.