Beyond Public and Private in International Investment Law: An Integrated Systems Approach

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie A. Maupin
Keyword(s):  
Systems Approach ◽  
International Investment ◽  
Integrated Systems ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
International Investment Law ◽  
Investment Law

scholarly journals Private Actors, Public Goods and Responsibility for the Right to Water in International Investment Law: An Analysis of Urbaser v. Argentina

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Edward Guntrip
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
International Law ◽  
International Investment ◽  
Human Right ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
International Investment Law ◽  
Investment Law ◽  
The Right ◽  
Water Supply Services

International investment law balances public and private interests within the broader framework of international law. Consequently, when water supply services, which constitute a public good, are privatized and operated by foreign investors, questions arise regarding whether foreign investors could be held responsible for the right to water under international law. This article considers how the tribunal in Urbaser v. Argentina allocated responsibility for compliance with the right to water between the host State and the foreign investor when resolving a dispute over privatized water services. It highlights how the tribunal in Urbaser v. Argentina supports different understandings of public and private based on whether the human rights obligation is framed in terms of the duty to respect or protect. The article argues that the tribunal’s rationale overcomplicates the process of allocating responsibility for violations of the human right to water when water supply services have been privatized.

Part II Substantive Aspects, Ch.21 Cultural Heritage in International Investment Law

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vadi Valentina
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
International Investment ◽  
Economic Interests ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
International Investment Law ◽  
The Public ◽  
Private Interests ◽  
Investment Law

This chapter evaluates whether the existing legal framework adequately protect cultural heritage vis-à-vis the economic interests of foreign investors. It aims to address this question by examining recent arbitrations and proposing three principal legal tools to foster a better balance between economic and cultural interests in international investment law and arbitration. This recent jurisprudence highlights that arbitral tribunals are increasingly providing consideration to cultural concerns. Yet, the interplay between the protection of cultural heritage and the promotion of foreign direct investment in international investment law and arbitration continues to pose two main problems: one ontological, concerning the essence of international investment law and international law more generally; and one epistemological, concerning the mandate of arbitral tribunals. The chapter then considers three principal avenues that can facilitate a better balance between the public and private interests in international investment law: a ‘treaty-driven approach’; a ‘judicially driven approach’; and counterclaims.

scholarly journals The Security of International Investments: a Synthesis of Impacts on Public Policies and Domestic Law of Host States

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Livia Costanza
Keyword(s):  
Public Policies ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
International Investment ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
International Investment Law ◽  
Investment Treaty ◽  
Investment Law ◽  
Investment Treaties ◽  
Domestic Law

<p>The subject of this dissertation is the relationship between the protection of foreign investors' investments under international investment law and the domestic law of host states. Two questions arise in this connection. First, is the promotion and protection of investments comprised in investment agreements compatible with states' domestic law? Second, public policies of host states may appear to be in contradiction with an increased international security of investments. When such a conflict is challenged by foreign investors, what are the consequences for both parties? In general, investments are transactions that are private in nature, whose aim is to generate a positive rate of return. Investments can have pervasive consequences on countries' welfare, including, for example, the consequences on sustainable development; the use and protection of natural resources; and employment, to name a few. It is the role of the governments to balance these sometimes conflicting public and private interests. As of today, it seems that the regime established according to investment treaties does not strike an appropriate balance between the various interests concerned. After a brief look at the legal framework protecting foreign investments, the conflict areas between investment treaty provisions and domestic public policies of host states are explored through an empirical analysis of some case studies and recent arbitrations. Finally, this dissertation holds that, at a substantive level, investment law is a part of international law. Thus it must be consistent with its norms and it has to be interpreted in accordance with customary rules of treaty interpretation. The dissertation concludes by suggesting the creation of a state-investor relationship and advocates, in part, the establishment of development objectives in investment treaties as well as the inclusion of rights and obligations for all parties involved.</p>

International Investment Law as Transnational Law

2021 ◽  
pp. 290-314
Author(s):  
Nicolás M. Perrone
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Investment ◽  
International Investment ◽  
Private Law ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Current Form ◽  
International Investment Law ◽  
Transnational Law ◽  
Legal Thinking ◽  
Investment Law ◽  
Domestic Law

This chapter examines the international investment regime through the lens of transnational law. It argues that this regime would not exist—or at least not in its current form—if it was not for the transnational ambition of some bankers, lawyers, and academics who dreamed of moving foreign investment relations beyond the traditional categories of public and private law and international and domestic law. The current normal in international investment law started with audacious treaty models, writings and awards. This chapter contrasts this approach with the important academic debates about this field, which have paradoxically focused on whether international investment law is public or private law or if international or domestic law should control foreign investment relations. To conclude, the chapter looks at the situation of local nonstate actors in foreign investor relations, examining whether they could also rely on audacious transnational legal thinking to protect their interests.

scholarly journals The Security of International Investments: a Synthesis of Impacts on Public Policies and Domestic Law of Host States

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Livia Costanza
Keyword(s):  
Public Policies ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
International Investment ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Foreign Investors ◽  
International Investment Law ◽  
Investment Treaty ◽  
Investment Law ◽  
Investment Treaties ◽  
Domestic Law

<p>The subject of this dissertation is the relationship between the protection of foreign investors' investments under international investment law and the domestic law of host states. Two questions arise in this connection. First, is the promotion and protection of investments comprised in investment agreements compatible with states' domestic law? Second, public policies of host states may appear to be in contradiction with an increased international security of investments. When such a conflict is challenged by foreign investors, what are the consequences for both parties? In general, investments are transactions that are private in nature, whose aim is to generate a positive rate of return. Investments can have pervasive consequences on countries' welfare, including, for example, the consequences on sustainable development; the use and protection of natural resources; and employment, to name a few. It is the role of the governments to balance these sometimes conflicting public and private interests. As of today, it seems that the regime established according to investment treaties does not strike an appropriate balance between the various interests concerned. After a brief look at the legal framework protecting foreign investments, the conflict areas between investment treaty provisions and domestic public policies of host states are explored through an empirical analysis of some case studies and recent arbitrations. Finally, this dissertation holds that, at a substantive level, investment law is a part of international law. Thus it must be consistent with its norms and it has to be interpreted in accordance with customary rules of treaty interpretation. The dissertation concludes by suggesting the creation of a state-investor relationship and advocates, in part, the establishment of development objectives in investment treaties as well as the inclusion of rights and obligations for all parties involved.</p>

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