Note: In October of 2005, the Investment Law and Policy News Bulletin was rebranded as Investment Treaty News (ITN). This archive contains past editions of the earlier News Bulletin, as well as more recent editions of ITN.
Yukos shareholders awarded record damages in two separate proceedings against Russia Martin Dietrich Brauch In two separate proceedings, shareholders of the defunct Russian oil and gas company OAO Neftyanaya Kompaniya Yukos (Yukos) were awarded over US$52 billion in compensation from Russia for expropriation and due process of law violations. On July 18, 2014, an UNCITRAL […]
New European Commissioners suggest that ISDS may be shut out of the TTIP The new President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, said on October 22, 2014 that there is “no obligation” to include investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) provisions in the trade and investment agreement under negotiation between the European Union and the United States, […]
Until recently, businesses in China seeking to make investments abroad had to go through a rigorous approval process separately conducted by two ministry-level agencies or their provincial counterparts. However, for many Chinese investors, especially those in the private sector, this unpopular approval process is becoming history as China’s outward investment regime has undergone a drastic […]
More than 50 high-level representatives from governments, including ministers, as well as senior business representatives, international and civil society organizations convened in Geneva, Switzerland on October 16, 2014, to address the challenges arising from international investment agreements (IIAs) and to consider ways to reform the IIA regime.[1] The conference was held during the United Nations […]
Resources The IISD Guide to Negotiating Investment Contracts for Farmland and Water By Carin Smaller, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, November 2014 The IISD Guide to Negotiating Investment Contracts for Farmland and Water is a legal and policy tool for governments and communities that are involved in negotiating investment contracts with foreign […]
Investment treaties are often criticised for being too ‘investor-friendly.’ With this in mind, it becomes important to clarify the mechanisms available to host states to defend against investment treaty claims. One such mechanism is found in the provisions included in many investment treaties, to the effect that investors must comply with host state law in order for their investment to enjoy treaty protection.