The state of Qatar has a new and permanent constitution whereby the state's institutions are based on the separation of powers. Executive authority is vested in HRH the Emir, legislative authority is vested in a legislative council, while judicial authority is exercised by three tiers of civil, criminal and commercial courts - the plenary court of first instance, the court of appeal and the Court of Cassation.

Qatar is a civil law jurisdiction. Courts in Qatar have only recently started a system of publishing court judgments as non-binding precedents; as such, a body of case law is not available. However, courts do give regard and consideration to principles established in judgments of Qatari courts and of other Middle Eastern jurisdictions, as well as academic jurisprudence.