*Course is taught in the 1st semester. *
Course description
This course provides students with a general overview of the fundamental principles of international investment law, i.e. the international standards for the protection of investments and the contemporary investment law regime composed of international contracts and bilateral and multilateral investment agreements. It will then focus on the available dispute resolution mechanisms in this field, notably the access of foreign investors to international arbitration against the host State. Specific attention will be given to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), which administers the majority of investment arbitrations. Investment arbitration, having much in common with public international law, as well as international commercial arbitration, builds further on the two courses on these specific subjects, and aims in essence, through contrast and comparison, explain the specific features of investment treaty arbitration.
Mode of Instruction
1. Lectures: Traditional lectures where the instructor presents key concepts, theories, and case studies to the students.
2. Individual/group presentations: During each lecture, a timeslot will be allocated to student presentations, which will become the basis of in-class discussion of several international investment law concepts.
Assessment
The course will be assessed 25% based on an oral presentation and 75% on a final paper.
Course Topics
The development and Sources of Contemporary Investment Law
Investment Contracts, Investment Treaties and Standards of Treatment
Investment Treaty Arbitration
Reading List
Handbook: Dolzer, Schreuer and Kriebaum, Principles of International Investment Law (OUP, 2022). Further readings will be announced in the course syllabus and on Brightspace.