In Operafund Eco-Invest SICAV Plc and Schwab Holding AG v Kingdom of Spain [2025] EWHC 2874 (Comm), the English Commercial Court held that awards rendered under the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States (“ICSID Convention”) or the Energy Charter Treaty 1994 (“ECT”) are not assignable to third […]
Human Rights Law and Investment Arbitration
Human rights law is relevant in the realm of investment arbitration. This does not come as a surprise: both investors and host States may turn to public international law provisions, including human rights treaties, to reinforce their respective positions or to put forward autonomous claims. While little attention was initially given to human rights law […]
Three Spanish Arbitration Centers- A Step Towards Unification?
On 18 December 2017, three of Spain’s most prominent arbitration centers signed a memorandum of understanding as a first step towards their unification. This is another of the efforts of the Spanish Government in an attempt to make Spain a more appealing center for international arbitration which would rival Paris, London, Singapore, Hong Kong and […]
Colombia Arbitration Proceedings: Fool’s Gold?
What connects General José Fernández de Santillán, emeralds and Colombia arbitration proceedings? More than one would think. If Mr. Fernandez de Santillán had defeated the British squadron on 8 June 1708, the myth of a galleon carrying vast amounts of treasure would never have been born. One of the most interesting recent international arbitrations would […]
Spain Energy Treaty Arbitrations Continue
On 12 August 2016, another Spain energy treaty arbitration under the Energy Charter Treaty was registered at the ICSID. The claimants are two Dutch companies, Cordoba Beheer B.V. and Sevilla Beheer B.V., together with Cross Retail S.L and Spanish Project companies, both registered in Spain.[1] This case is just another in line with dozens of arbitrations […]