ITN

ITN  |  November 21, 2008

Report says Tanzania is signing bad deals with foreign mining companies

By Damon Vis-Dunbar 21 November 2008 Tanzania is losing large amounts of money from foreign investment in the mining sector due to low royalty rates and generous tax exemptions, while […]

ITN  |  November 13, 2008

Disgruntled fishing outfitters put Canada on notice

By Damon Vis-Dunbar 13 November 2008 The Canadian government has been sent two letters from outdoor tour companies signaling intent to sue for alleged breaches of the North American Free […]

ITN  |  November 10, 2008

Forum for developing country investment treaty negotiators held in Marrakech

On 2-4 November 2008, the International Institute for Sustainable Development, the South Centre, and the Moroccan Department of Investment held the 2nd Annual Forum of Developing Country Investment Negotiators in Marrakech, […]

ITN  |  October 29, 2008

Canadian investors sue Costa Rica alleging failure to protect their farm

By Fernando Cabrera Diaz and Damon Vis-Dunbar 29 October 2008 A tribunal has been constituted in an arbitration that pits a group of Canadian investors against the government of Costa […]

ITN  |  October 23, 2008

Chemical company warns Canada of a potential lawsuit over pesticide ban

By Damon Vis-Dunbar 23 October 2008 One of the world’s largest chemical manufacturers may sue the Canadian government over the ban of a lawn pesticide in the Province of Quebec. […]

ITN  |  October 16, 2008

In Memorial: Professor Thomas Wälde (1949-2008)

A leading figure in the field of international investment law passed away suddenly on 11 October 2008 at age 59. Thomas W. Wälde, a professor at the University of Dundee, […]

ITN  |  October 14, 2008

Argentina ordered to reconsider its position on payment of ICSID awards

By Damon Vis-Dunbar14 October 2008  A three-person committee formed by the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) has rejected the Argentine government’s position that foreign investors who […]

ITN  |  September 12, 2008

Canadian lumber company fails to vacate NAFTA Chapter 11 award in US court

By Damon Vis-Dunbar 12 September 2008 A bid by a Canadian lumber company, Tembec, to vacate a NAFTA Chapter 11 award was dismissed in August by a United States District […]

ITN Newsletter 1 September 2008

In this issue: Duke Energy International Peru Investments No. 1 Ltd. v. Republic of Peru: Foreign investors in Peru are guaranteed tax stability; Duke Energy Electroquil Partners and Electroquil SA […]

ITN  |  August 29, 2008

Ecuador threatens cancellation of oil contracts unless ICSID nixed as arbitration forum

By Fernando Cabrera Diaz 29 August, 2008 The Ecuadorian government will consider contracts with oil companies terminated unless they remove the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Dispute (ICSID) as […]

ITN  |  August 25, 2008

Entrevista con Alejandro Faya-Rodríguez, asesor jurídico especial, Ministerio de Economía mexicano

Alejandro Faya-Rodríguez fue Director General Adjunto de Asuntos Internacionales de la Dirección General de Inversión Extranjera del Ministerio de Economía de México hasta marzo pasado. En dicho cargo negoció diez […]

ITN  |  August 13, 2008

News in Brief: Tribunal declines jurisdiction in African Holding Company of America, INC et Société Africaine de construction au Congo SARL (SAFRICA) v. République Démocratique du Congo

By Suzy H. Nikièma 13 August 2008 An ICSID tribunal has declined jurisdiction in a dispute over a failed construction contract between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and two […]

ITN  |  August 8, 2008

News: An update on the ACP-EU Economic Partnership Agreements

By Suzy H. Nikièma and Damon Vis-Dunbar 8 August 2008 Over the last six years the European Commission and 77 African, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP) countries have been negotiating free trade […]

ITN  |  August 7, 2008

Commentary: A case for an international investment court

By Gus Van Harten Assistant Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University 7 August 2008 I shall lay out an argument for an international investment court, not because I wish […]

ITN  |  July 28, 2008

An interview with Alejandro Faya-Rodriguez, special legal advisor, Mexican Ministry of Economy

17 July 2008Alejandro Faya-Rodriguez was the Deputy Director-General for International Affairs of the Directorate-General of Foreign Investment at the Mexican Ministry of Economy until last March, where he negotiated ten […]

ITN  |  July 17, 2008

Analysis: Latin America’s new model bilateral investment treaties

By Damon Vis-Dunbar 17 July 2008 For the longest time, bilateral investment treaties were quintessential bureaucrats’ agreements. Terse and technical, these treaties were drafted by a handful of trade officials, […]

ITN  |  July 17, 2008

News: ECJ advocate general argues some Austrian and Swedish BITs are incompatible with EU law

By Damon Vis-Dunbar 17 July 2008 The ECJ advocate general sides with the European Commission in arguing that Austria and Sweden should have amended some of the pre-accession BITs with […]

April 2008 ITN

ITN April 1, 2008 In this issue: Secret $185 Million award against Argentina comes to light in D.C. Court; ANALYSIS: Decrying past “contradictory” rulings, Argentina challenges arbitrator; Argentina settles several […]

ITN February 2008

ITN February 21, 2008 In this issue: Yemen found to have breached BIT in dispute with Omani construction company; Blocked eco-tourism project in Costa Rica parkland leads to BIT arbitration; […]

ITN January 2008

ITN January 17, 2008 In this issue: ICSID annulment committee will not require Argentina to post bond in Azurix case; Czech Republic quietly pursues challenge to jurisdictional ruling in Prague […]

December 2007

ITN December 14, 2007 In this issue: ITN Year in Review for 2006 finds non-ICSID treaty arbitrations eclipse ICSID cases; US investors prevail in High Fructose Corn Syrup dispute with […]

November 2007

ITN November 30, 2007 In this issue: More details emerge of miner’s case against South Africa; EU envoy says Malaysian race-based affirmative action policies hindering trade talks; Argentina fails in […]

October 2007

ITN October 30, 2007 In this issue: Hearings on the merits commence in Zimbabwe arbitration with Dutch farmers; Argentina and UK firm send arbitrator-challenge to venue where reasons are provided; […]

ITN September 2007

ITN September 28, 2007 In this issue: Umbrella clause reasoning annulled in CMS-Argentina case, remainder upheld; Divided panel declines to annul ICSID award in Peruvian environmental dispute; Lithuania victorious in […]

ITN June 2007

ITN June 30, 2007 In this issue: Underwater salvaging firm fails “investment” test in ICSID case against Malaysia; Recently published UPS v. Canada decisions reveal arbitrator divergences over NT; UPS […]