Immunisation of Qatari Citizenship Decisions: Constitutional Validity and Its Effects

Abstract

Qatari courts did not have jurisdiction to hear administrative disputes until Law Number 7 of 2007 on Administrative Dispute was enacted, which allows for judicial review of administrative decisions. The New Law has established a judicial circuits at the Court of First Instance and the Court of Appeal. However, despite the fact that this law was passed after a period of time, it is still subject to certain exceptions. One such exception is in regards to decisions on the citizenship applications. This study addresses this specific exception which raises certain questions in regards to citizenship decisions including what is the nature of such decisions? Are they considered to be act of a state? Does the administrative agency has discretion to issue such decisions which are not subject to judicial review? Are these decisions immune and not subject to appeal and judicial review because they are regulated by Amiri Decrees? What are the constitutional validity of such decisions?This study is divided into two sections, in the first section the author will examine types of decisions made under the Citizenship Act, and the nature of such decisions. In the second section the author will examine the immunisation of such decisions, its constitutional validity and effects.