Mediation In International Commercial And Investment Disputes

Until now, the resolution of international commercial and investment disputes has been dominated almost exclusively by international arbitration. But that is changing. Whilst they may be complementary mechanisms, international mediation and conciliation are now coming to the fore. Mediation rules that were in disuse gather momentum, and dispute settlement centres are introducing new mediation rules. The European Union is encouraging international mediation in both the commercial and investment spheres. The 2019 Singapore Mediation Convention of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) is aiming to ensure enforcement of international commercial settlement agreements resulting from mediation. The first investor-State disputes are mediated under the International Bar Association (IBA) rules. The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)'s conciliation mechanism is resorted to more often than in the past. The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has recently administered its first mediation case based on a bilateral investment treaty, and a new training market on mediation is flourishing. Mediation in Commercial and Investment Disputes brings together a line-up of outstanding, highly-qualified experts from academia, mediation and arbitration institutions, and international legal practice, to address this highly topical, complex subject from a variety of angles.

Mediation as a Mandatory Pre-condition to Arbitration debunks common arguments against the compatibility of mandatory investor-state mediation with the ISDS regime. Ana Ubilava pioneers an empirical analysis of over 600 investor-state arbitration cases and a doctrinal study of ISDS clauses in dozens of treaties.

This book is intended as an easily accessible desktop resource for lawyers who regularly counsel businesses when negotiating international deals, and for those who represent the same clients in achieving a successful resolution when disputes emerge. The text is divided into chapters that follow the life cycle of an international commercial dispute as seen through the eyes of the parties, from when they agree how to resolve disputes in their contracts to the endgame of enforcement. Additionally, the appendices include a number of model submissions for further reference.--Provided by publisher.

"Arbitration and mediation in international business was first published in 1996 and was one of the first comprehensive studies on the practice of international business dispute resolution, covering both international commercial arbitration and the so-called ?alternative? techniques such as mediation. The book also provided an empirical analysis of how both arbitration and mediation are conducted in a crossborder context, along with a normative guide to the relative costs and benefits of these two methods. This second edition is not just an updated version of the first edition but a new book in itself: Benefitting from the contributions of two co-authors, the work has been enhanced by discussions of innovative tools for making settlement negotiations more effective, and by the in-depth analysis of practical techniques to integrate mediation and arbitration in international business. Also, a comprehensive new empirical survey was conducted in order to capture new trends in this rapidly developing field. The result is a ?must have? resource for anyone having to deal with potential conflict in international business relationships."--Publisher's website.

In the process of resolving disputes, it is not uncommon for parties to justify actions otherwise in breach of their obligations by invoking the need to protect some aspect of the elusive concept of public order. Until this thoroughly researched book, the criteria and factors against which international dispute bodies assess such claims have remained unclear. Now, by providing an in-depth comparative analysis of relevant jurisprudence under four distinct international dispute resolution systems – trade, investment, human rights and international commercial arbitration – the author of this invaluable book identifies common core benchmarks for the application of the public order exception. To achieve the broadest possible scope for her analysis, the author examines the public order exception’s function, role and application within the following international dispute resolution systems: relevant World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements as enforced by the organization’s Dispute Settlement Body and Appellate Body; international investment agreements as enforced by competent Arbitral Tribunals and Annulment Committees under the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes; provisions under the Inter-American Convention of Human Rights and the European Convention of Human Rights as enforced by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights, respectively; and the New York Convention as enforced by national tribunals across the world. Controversies, tensions and pitfalls inherent in invoking the public order exception are elucidated, along with clear guidelines on how arguments may be crafted in order to enhance prospects of success. Throughout, tables and graphs systematize key aspects of the relevant jurisprudence under each of the dispute resolution systems analysed. As an immediate practical resource for lawyers on any side of a dispute who wish to invoke or strengthen a public order exception claim, the book’s systematic analysis will be welcomed by lawyers active in WTO disputes, international investment arbitration, human rights law or enforcement of foreign arbitral awards. Academics and policymakers will find a signal contribution to the ongoing debate on the existence, legal basis, content and functions of the transnational public order.

Arbitration is the most common mechanism for disputes' settlement in developing countries. Following the move to free market economies, arbitration will play an increasingly fundamental role in order to protect foreign investors in the Middle East and North African Region (MENA). This book examines the pulse and dynamics of international investment arbitration and the new era of mediation in state contracts in the region. The author explores the harmonization of international arbitration and the sensitive issue of le Contrat Administratif in Middle East civil law countries. The volume also discusses the pivotal role of international organizations such as UNCTAD and ICSID in codifying fair and prompt mechanisms for dispute settlement. Using Latin American countries as a prime example of how international legislative instruments serve international investment law principles and comparing Latin American experiences where appropriate, the book demonstrates how lessons can be learned in respect of alternative dispute resolution, international commercial arbitration and investor-states arbitration. It provides suggestions and recommendations for the future and includes useful appendices detailing recent worldwide trends, regional and international instruments in the arbitration world.

This book gathers contributions by twenty-five world-class practitioners, leading academics, adjudicators, and civil servants in the field of WTO litigation, investment arbitration, and commercial arbitration. It provides a practical cross-cutting analysis of the different dispute settlement mechanisms that exist in international trade and investment and offers valuable insights into how to use best practices among the three systems. The book addresses the critical areas of overlap that exist in the three disciplines, including: management of parallel proceedings and role of politics and ‘pressure points’ within host governments; selection and appointment of arbitrators, panels and Appellate Body members; use of experts and economics; search of the applicable law; interpretation of the national treatment principle and other substantive standards and legal tests; methods of redressing ‘moral damage’; regimes of review, appeals and annulment; enforcement systems of awards, implementation of WTO law and other legal remedies; and allocation of costs. In addition to being the first in-depth exploration of the interaction among WTO litigation, investment arbitration and international commercial arbitration, this book brings a singularly practical perspective to bear on the three dispute settlement mechanisms and how each can be used to best advantage.