1. The Court has the jurisdiction to determine this dispute;

2. By no later than 4pm on 20 February 2020, the parties are to confirm with the Registrar whether they are content for the Court to deal with the substantive dispute on the papers, or whether they request an oral hearing; and

3. The costs of determining the jurisdictional issue are reserved.

Preliminary issue on jurisdiction

• 1. This is a claim, brought in the Qatar International Court, by Badri and Salim Elmeouchi LLP ("the Claimant") against Data Managers International Limited ("the Defendant"). The claim is for unpaid legal fees and interest. It is not in dispute that the parties entered into a contractual relationship, but the Defendant resists the claim on two bases. First, it says that this Court lacks jurisdiction over the claim. Secondly, it disputes its liability to pay the sums sought on the basis of a challenge to the quality of the work which the Claimant undertook for it.