The Swiss Chambers’ Arbitration Institution, also known as the “SCAI”, is an arbitration institution based in Geneva, Switzerland, which offers dispute resolution services based on the Swiss Rules of International Arbitration (the “Swiss Rules”) and the Swiss Rules of Commercial Mediation. The Swiss Chambers’ Arbitration Institution is, since 2012, an independent entity, established by the Chambers […]
Denial of Justice in International Investment Law
The principle of denial of justice embodies the maladministration of justice by local courts.[6] Prohibited acts of the local judiciary mainly revolve around access to justice, discrimination and the slow or non-existent execution of court decisions which are favorable to a foreign investor.[7] One of the oldest and most oft-cited definitions of denial of justice […]
Appellate Mechanisms for ISDS: Inconsistency & Unpredictability of Arbitration Awards
Investor-State Dispute Settlement (“ISDS”) has been criticized for the lack of an appellate mechanism and the inconsistency and unpredictability of certain arbitration awards that are rendered. Opponents of ISDS claim that, as decisions that may ultimately affect public interests are at stake, it is undesirable that wrong decisions taken by arbitral tribunals cannot be appealed. […]
Investor-State Arbitration: Who Qualifies as a Foreign Investor?
The simplest investment protections to understand, as well as the widest, are usually provided in Bilateral Investment Treaties (“BIT’s”). Protection via BIT’s is not granted to every foreign entity that is impacted by the measures of a host State of investment, however. In order to enjoy protection under BIT’s, business actors must qualify as investors […]
Economic Sanctions in International Arbitration
Issues concerning economic sanctions in international arbitration frequently arise. Economic sanctions are a commonly-used tool of foreign policy which can have a significant impact on the performance of parties’ contractual rights and obligations. While there are many ways in which economic sanctions may interfere with international arbitration, we will focus on the issue of the […]