Central European Perspectives on Investor-State Arbitration: Practical Experiences and Theoretical Concerns

Investor-State Arbitration Series, Paper No. 16

November 15, 2016

This paper presents the experiences of Central Europe with investment arbitration. The European Union’s Central European member states are the litmus test of the policy issues within the investor-state arbitration system. The paper explores the Central European treaty and policy landscape and analyzes investment protection issues pertaining to the region (intra-EU bilateral investment treaties, non-expropriation cases concerning national regulatory sovereignty, the fairness of national court or administrative proceedings and the exercise of contractual rights).

Part of Series

Investor-State Arbitration

Launched in November 2014, this project addresses a central policy issue of contemporary international investment protection law: is investor-state arbitration (ISA) suitable between developed liberal democratic countries? The project reviews legal and policy reactions to ISAs taking place within these countries and summarizes the substantive grounds upon which claims are being made and their impact on public policy making by governments. The project reviews, critically assesses and critiques arguments made in favour and against the growing use of ISA between developed democracies — paying particular attention to Canada, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, the United States and Australia, where civil society groups and academic critics have come out against ISA.

About the Author

Former CIGI Senior Fellow