Modern International Studies (MIS) - Providing opportunities to those passionate about International Law

Modern International Studies (MIS) – A Centre for International Law Studies organised a seminar on June 13, 2013 titled ‘Current Issues in International Investment Treaty Arbitration'. Professors Dr. Kaj Hobér and Dr. Rudolf Dolzer, leading practitioners in International Investment Law and International Commercial Arbitration, delivered their expertise on the hot topic that has become more relatable especially in the Middle East.

Investment treaty arbitration is a form of dispute settlement that provides foreign investors with potential relief when they have experienced or are experiencing business difficulties in a host country.

The Centre reported that the proliferation of investment treaty arbitration, particularly those relating to bilateral investment treaties with developing countries, has attracted great attention in recent years. For more than decade investment treaty arbitration has been a significant part of world of international arbitration, considering that there are approximately 3000 bilateral investment protection treaties in place today.

The seminar explained the definitions and recent developments of basic concepts such as the investor and investments, direct and indirect expropriation and fair and equitable treatment.  The seminar also focused on the updated interpretation of most-favoured-nation and so-called tax exemption clauses. The audience consisted of members from the legal fraternity of the region that included students, general counsels and private practice lawyers.

Dr. Dolzer is professor of law at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn in Germany. His expertise also lies in energy matters, international commercial arbitration and gas and oil.  Dr. Kaj Hobér is professor of international investment and trade law at Uppsala University, Sweden and Partner at Mannheimer Swartling is currently a court member of the London Court of International Arbitration.

MIS was created with an aim to facilitate contacts between international law students and scholars of the region to enhance the understanding of international perceptions of the MENA Countries. The Centre has proposed to provide the expertise to the region covering a variety of topics within international law and to promote research and study this field through conferences, seminars, lectures and workshops by global experts.