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.

Prensa Latina | 25-Nov-2024
Colombia’s President said that Colombia will try to renegotiate the Free Trade Agreements with the European Union and the United States, concerning arbitration prerogatives based on national law.
Kapitalis | 25-Nov-2024
L’affaire qui oppose, depuis le milieu des années 1980, ABCI, le fonds d’investissement néerlandais, à l’Etat tunisien a finalement connu une issue moins douloureuse pour les contribuables tunisiens que beaucoup d’observateurs le craignaient.
The Hindu | 22-Nov-2024
Despite some departures, the India-UAE bilateral investment treaty establishes a continuity of India’s investment treaty practice.
The News International | 22-Nov-2024
ICSID Tribunal decides to proceed with adjudication on quantum of amounts owed to Bayindir by Pakistan.
Business Day | 21-Nov-2024
The ruling marks the latest in a string of losses Nigeria has suffered in foreign jurisdictions over the past years.
Montero Mining | 21-Nov-2024
Montero has agreed to a US$27,000,000 settlement amount to end its dispute with the United Republic of Tanzania
Gouvernement suisse | 20-Nov-2024
Les parties contractantes restantes devraient approuver la nouvelle mouture du traité lors de la Conférence de la Charte de l’énergie, qui aura lieu le 3 décembre 2024.
CIAR Global | 19-Nov-2024
El acuerdo entre Titan Consortium y Argentina contempla el pago de 389,5 millones USD incluyendo intereses a partir del día del fallo, según ha comunicado en la red social X Sebastián Maril (Latam Advisors).
The Hindu BusinessLine | 15-Nov-2024
Investment chapters in India FTAs may be limited to investment promotion, facilitation.
Morning Star | 15-Nov-2024
Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) courts are a legal mechanism that allow corporations to sue governments for decisions which they claim impact their profits — including environmental protections.