Transparency in Investment Arbitration: Video Stream of Hearing in Vattenfall vs. Germany

icsid-logoVattenfall’s challenge to Germany’s opt-out from nuclear power is getting a lot of public attention. Vattenfall’s earlier case aganist Germany, commenced in 2009 over environmental restrictions for a coal-fired power plant in Hamburg, is often cited as an example that investment treaty arbitration lacks transparency. Not so this time: Last week, ICSID announced that the parties have agreed to make the hearing open to the public. Continue reading

European Union Agrees Rules to Manage Investor-State Disputes

This is from last week’s press release issued by the European Commission: “The European Union today took an important step towards creating a comprehensive EU investment policy, with the publication of a Regulation setting out a new set of rules to manage disputes under the EU’s investment agreements with its trading partners. The rules – set out in the Regulation on financial responsibility under future investor-to-state disputes – are a necessary component of a common EU investment policy. Continue reading

Vattenfall vs. Germany: ICSID Arbitration Tribunal Constituted

In the ICSID arbitration commenced by Vattenfall against Germany as a result of Germany’s nuclear opt-out, the tribunal has been constituted in December 2012. Albert Jan van den Berg (Netherlands) is the Chairman, and the party-appointed arbitrators are Vaughan Lowe (England) and Daniel M. Price (United States).