investor-state disputes | ISDS


Commission swamped by 150,000 replies to TTIP consultation
About 150,000 people have responded to the European Commission’s online consultation on the controversial investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) clause in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).
CETA ‘should be initialed by September 25′: EU Trade Commissioner
The end of the Canada-EU trade agreement (CETA) technical negotiations are “in sight” and the deal should be initialed in time for a late September bilateral summit in Ottawa, EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said Tuesday.
TDM Special Issue on "Arbitration in the Middle East - Expectations and Challenges for the Future"
The volume of international business either in the Middle East or with a Middle Eastern element is increasing and many of the contracts being used provide for arbitration. While arbitration ("tahkim" in Arabic) has long-standing religious and cultural roots in the Middle East, there are a number of differences and tensions between the Western perception of arbitration and certain Islamic legal principles.
121 scholars speak out against planned investor-state arbitration provisions in the US-EU TTIP, modeled on the Canada-EU CETA
A group of 121 academic experts has spoken out against planned provisions on investor-state arbitration in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.
Supporters of investment arbitration launch EU think tank
Corporate counsel and practitioners in Europe have formed a non-profit association to promote the benefits of investor-state arbitration and influence EU policy on investment protection.
Juncker states his opposition to fracking
Asked about the trade deal the Commission is currently negotiating with the US, which campaigners fear will allow private companies to challenge the EU’s environmental rules, Mr Juncker stressed that the normal, publicly accountable, court system should be used instead of private courts or arbitration panels.
TTIP: debunking the business propaganda over investor rights
The EU Commission’s plan to enshrine sweeping rights for foreign investors in the EU-US trade deal continues to draw heavy criticism. In response, industry lobby groups, law firms, and arbitrators have launched a tooth and nail defence of the business power grab. See through their propaganda with Corporate Europe Observatory’s guide to investment arbitration.
Australia wins first battle in plain packaging trade dispute
The Permanent Court of Arbitration has ordered that Australia will be allowed to challenge Philip Morris Asia's right to contest Australia's plain packaging laws, on the grounds that the company only bought shares in its Australian arm so that it could launch the case.
Newmont files for arbitration against Indonesia government on ore-export ban
Newmont Mining Corp. said Tuesday it is filing for international arbitration against the Indonesian government for a mineral-export ban.
Commission closes TTIP consultation -- But is it listening?
Bernadette Ségol the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation says trade unionists are “particularly concerned at statements from DG Trade implying that the consultation is about a reform of the ISDS system and is not open to a decisive rejection.”