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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.

Air Tanzania plane seized in the Netherlands released, returns home
The Citizen | 11-Jul-2023
Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) plane that was seized in the Netherlands after a Swedish firm won a $165 million award against Tanzania has been released, says the government.
keywords: ICSID , investment | BITs , investor-state disputes | ISDS , land , Netherlands , Tanzania
Silver Bull announces filing of request for arbitration with International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes
Silver Bull Resources, Inc. | 11-Jul-2023
The arbitration arises from Mexico’s expropriation and other treatment of Silver Bull and its investments resulting from the illegal blockade of Silver Bull’s Sierra Mojada project.
keywords: Canada , investor-state disputes | ISDS , Mexico , mining , NAFTA | USMCA
L’Union européenne pousse au retrait du Traité sur la Charte de l’énergie qui freine la transition écologique
Novethic | 11-Jul-2023
La Commission européenne a proposé de sortir de cet accord, considéré comme une épée de Damoclès pour la transition énergétique du continent. Alors que dix pays ont annoncé qu’ils se retiraient du Traité, l’étau se resserre.
keywords: climate , ECT , energy , EU , investor-state disputes | ISDS
Joint letter: Energy Ministers must support a coordinated withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty
CAN Europe | 11-Jul-2023
We call on you to support the Commission’s proposal for a coordinated withdrawal of the EU and all its member states from the Energy Charter Treaty and welcome a discussion of the ECT among energy ministers.
keywords: climate , ECT , energy , EU , from the movements , investor-state disputes | ISDS
UK should quit ‘climate-wrecking’ energy treaty, say official advisers
The Guardian | 11-Jul-2023
Climate Change Committee recommends leaving energy charter treaty, which critics say is ‘weaponised’ by fossil fuel firms.
keywords: climate , ECT , energy , investor-state disputes | ISDS , UK
Clive Palmer sues Australia for $41.3bn over alleged free trade rule breach
The Guardian | 11-Jul-2023
Clive Palmer’s Zeph Investment’s second case against Australia is a $41.3bn claim that it breached the Asean free trade agreement in relation to coal exploration permits, it has emerged.
keywords: Australia , investor-state disputes | ISDS , mining
Carta a los ministros y ministras de la UE
No a los TCI | 10-Jul-2023
Queremos pedirles que apoyen la propuesta de la Comisión Europea para iniciar una salida coordinada de la Unión Europea (UE) y de todos sus Estados miembro del Tratado de la Carta de la Energía (TCE), y que acojan un debate sobre el TCE entre los Ministros de Energía en el seno de dicho encuentro.
keywords: climate , ECT , energy , EU , from the movements , investor-state disputes | ISDS
EU tables Energy Charter Treaty exit, citing climate concerns
Euractiv | 10-Jul-2023
The European Commission proposed that EU countries jointly quit an international treaty that has been criticised for blocking efforts to fight climate change because its protection of energy investments extends to fossil fuels.
keywords: climate , ECT , energy , EU , investor-state disputes | ISDS
Report to the UN shows the threat of ISDS provisions to human rights and the environment
AFTINET | 10-Jul-2023
In response to a call from the UN, legal experts have released a submission outlining the dangers of Investor-State Dispute Settlement on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
keywords: environment , from the movements , human rights , investor-state disputes | ISDS
Silver Bull anuncia arbitraje contra México por 178 millones US$
CIAR Global | 6-Jul-2023
La minera canadiense Silver Bull ha anunciado la presentación de un arbitraje de inversión contra México ante el Centro Internacional de Arreglo de Diferencias Relativas a Inversiones (CIADI).
keywords: investor-state disputes | ISDS , Mexico , mining , NAFTA | USMCA