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investor-state disputes | ISDS

Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) refers to a way of handling conflicts under international investment agreements whereby companies from one party are allowed to sue the government of another party. This means they can file a complaint and seek compensation for damages. Many BITs and investment chapters of FTAs allow for this if the investor’s expectation of a profit has been negatively affected by some action that the host government took, such as changing a policy. The dispute is normally handled not in a public court but through a private abritration panel. The usual venues where these proceedings take place are the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (World Bank), the International Chamber of Commerce, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law or the International Court of Justice.

ISDS is a hot topic right now because it is being challenged very strongly by concerned citizens in the context of the EU-US TTIP negotiations, the TransPacific Partnership talks and the CETA deal between Canada and the EU.

Singapore firms in Myanmar to get better protection under new bilateral treaty
The Straits Times | 25-Sep-2019
The Bilateral Investment Treaty on the Promotion and Protection of Investments between Singapore and Myanmar aims to promote greater investment flows between the two countries.
keywords: investment | BITs , investor-state disputes | ISDS , Myanmar , Singapore
Weapons of legal destruction: ISDS lawsuits and Lydian International’s assault on Armenian sovereignty
CADTM | 24-Sep-2019
The signing of an investment treaty involves a unilateral loss of sovereignty on the part of the host state, which is ultimately deemed necessary to attract foreign capital.
keywords: Armenia , ICSID , investor-state disputes | ISDS , mining , UNCITRAL
Beyond credible commitments: (investment) treaties as focal points
Lauge Poulsen | 23-Sep-2019
Western architects of the investment regime expected the treaties to play a standard-setting role to be used in informal bargaining with host states.
keywords: geopolitics , investment | BITs , investor-state disputes | ISDS
The Energy Charter Treaty (ECT): Assessing its geopolitical, climate and financial impacts
OpenEXP | 23-Sep-2019
The Energy Charter Treaty is a multilateral agreement that grants binding protection for foreign investors and includes also binding provisions for free trade and freedom of transit of energy materials and products.
keywords: ECT , energy , EU , investor-state disputes | ISDS , video
UNCITRAL and ISDS reforms: Agenda-widening and paradigm-shifting
EJIL: Talk! | 23-Sep-2019
South Africa makes clear that in its view, procedural reform is not enough. A wider agenda that includes substantive issues is needed.
keywords: investor-state disputes | ISDS , reformed ISDS , South Africa
Europe’s Green Deal is under threat from Energy Charter Treaty
Euractiv | 23-Sep-2019
The EU and its member states should collectively withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty, which protects fossil fuel investments.
keywords: climate , ECT , energy , EU , investor-state disputes | ISDS
In yet another solar energy incentives case against Italy, ECT tribunal applying proportionality test finds breach of legitimate expectations
IISD | 20-Sep-2019
This claim to the long series of cases arising out of Italy’s reform of its scheme of incentive tariffs for solar energy.
keywords: ECT , energy , investor-state disputes | ISDS , Italy
Dans une nouvelle affaire contre l’Italie portant sur des incitations dans l’énergie solaire, un tribunal du TCE applique le test de la proportionnalité et conclut à une violation des attentes légitimes
IISD | 20-Sep-2019
Cette affaire vient élarger la longue liste d’affaires découlant de la réforme menée par l’Italie de son mécanisme d’octroi de tarifs préférentiels dans l’énergie solaire.
keywords: ECT , energy , investor-state disputes | ISDS , Italy
Ces entreprises qui s’attaquent aux lois protégeant l’environnement
Alternatives Economiques | 20-Sep-2019
Un nouveau cas de litige entre investisseurs étrangers et Etats se profile dans le cadre du Traité sur la Charte de l’énergie, à l’origine de nombreuses affaires qui ont défrayé la chronique en Europe.
keywords: climate , ECT , energy , EU , investor-state disputes | ISDS
Intra-EU arbitral award enforced in the US - Achmea objection dismissed by DC District Court for the first time
Lexology | 19-Sep-2019
A federal court in Washington, DC has recognized and enforced a US$331 million arbitral award against Romania under an intra-EU BIT—notwithstanding the objection of the European Commission that the award is incompatible with EU law.
keywords: agriculture | farmers | food , EU , investor-state disputes | ISDS , Romania