Enforcing Foreign Arbitral Awards Across the Gulf, Türkiye and Spain

Winning an arbitration is only half the exercise. Recovering value usually depends on where the award must be enforced and how quickly the local courts will act.

Qatar, Türkiye and Spain are all parties to the New York Convention, which provides the common framework for recognition and enforcement. In practice, each jurisdiction applies its own procedural requirements, and the differences matter.

In Qatar, enforcement applications are made to the competent court and supported by a certified Arabic translation of the award and the arbitration agreement. Turkish courts apply a similar framework, with specific rules on service and on challenges to enforcement. Spain has a streamlined procedure before the courts of the debtor’s domicile.

Timing varies. Straightforward applications may conclude within months, while contested matters can take considerably longer, particularly where public policy or due process arguments are raised.

The practical lesson is to plan enforcement before the award is issued. Preserving the right documents, confirming the seat and the arbitration agreement, and identifying assets early will usually shorten the path to recovery.