bilaterals.org

Santa Marta process can confront trade protection for fossil fuels, experts say

2026-06-05 15:12:24

05-Jun-2026

Academics at the first fossil fuel phase-out summit urged governments to recognise investor protection treaties as a barrier to the energy transition.

The global trade architecture and the rush for critical minerals

2026-06-04 14:00:15

04-Jun-2026

The global rush for critical minerals, driven by the demand for renewable energy technologies, has intensified competition among major powers seeking to secure control over emerging “green” value chains.

Silver Bull resources announces dismissal of its NAFTA claim against Mexico on jurisdictional and time limitations

2026-06-04 13:45:08

04-Jun-2026

Silver Bull Resources, Inc. announces that its Arbitration case against the United States of Mexico has been dismissed in its entirety and the company has been ordered to pay a portion of Mexico's legal costs totaling approximately US$998,000.

Social organizations in Panama and international allies are promoting a petition demanding that the government reject negotiations with the mining company First Quantum

2026-06-04 09:13:07

04-Jun-2026

Panama, Jun 2026
Institutional Sign-On: Tell Panama's President to Reject Negotiations with First Quantum
Social organizations in Panama and international allies are promoting a petition to the Panamanian government, urging President José Raúl Mulino to reject any negotiations with First Quantum Minerals to reopen the Cobre Panamá mine, whose contract was declared unconstitutional by Panama's Supreme Court in 2023. The organizations behind the petition argue that the (...)

EU Commission to defend Spain in €106 million US energy lawsuit

2026-06-03 16:09:48

03-Jun-2026

When firm Blasket Renewables sought to enforce compensation in a US court, the European Commission argued that Spain could not legally pay it, highlighting a clash between international arbitration and EU law.

Taxpayers face potential £300m bill over scrapped West Cumbria mine

2026-06-03 16:03:09

03-Jun-2026

British taxpayers could be forced to pay up to £300 million in compensation to the backers of a cancelled West Cumbrian coal mine.

Third-party funding continues to reshape international arbitration

2026-05-29 12:18:43

29-May-2026

Third-party litigation funding is becoming one of the most influential and closely debated developments in international arbitration, as investors and law firms increasingly rely on outside capital to pursue large and complex disputes.

The West only discovers property rights when the landowners are white

2026-05-29 12:06:56

29-May-2026

Zimbabwe will return 67 farms, which were seized during the country's land reform programme and are protected under investment agreements, to European nationals from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

ICSID tribunal rejects Sanitek's $36 million claim against Armenian government

2026-05-27 13:21:09

27-May-2026

The arbitral tribunal of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes issued an award fully rejecting all claims brought against the Republic of Armenia by the Lebanese company Sanitek and its owners, the Armenian government said.

Written notification of withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty

2026-05-26 12:28:38

26-May-2026

Romania deposited with the Energy Charter Secretariat a written notification of its decision to withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty.

Shell and the creation of international investment law, 1957–1968

2026-05-22 14:16:24

22-May-2026

This article explores the role that Shell – in particular, through its legal department – played in shaping international investment law from 1957 to 1968.

Ranked: Top 12 countries with digital trade agreements

2026-05-20 14:50:30

20-May-2026

Digital trade now powers a growing share of the global economy. It covers cross-border data flows, e-commerce, digital services, and online payments. As digital commerce expands, governments are moving quickly to set the rules that govern how it operates.

Panama defeats Banesco ICSID investment treaty claim over public works bonds

2026-05-19 14:25:19

19-May-2026

Panama won an investment treaty claim brought by disgruntled Spanish investors alleging that state entities breached a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) in their handling of bonds linked to public works contracts.

Big Tech's digital trade agenda is a danger for farmers and food systems

2026-05-18 17:13:43

18-May-2026

Criticism against Big Tech's digital crusade is growing, along with demands for greater regulation. Yet, through underhand tactics such as trade deals, tech companies are blocking reform.

How companies continue to obstruct climate action - and why Santa Marta didn't stop it

2026-05-18 16:14:01

18-May-2026

One of the delaying issues, Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS), came through clearly in the scientific discussions. In theory, ISDS protects investors against unfair treatment. In practice, it has often been used by fossil fuel companies to resist climate action.

Geopolitics, the UK and investor-state arbitration: a ‘new normal' in an uncertain world?

2026-05-13 12:58:18

13-May-2026

Governments need to be able to regulate to meet their domestic policy goals or internationally recognised sustainable development goals. That necessarily means that sometimes hard decisions will need to be taken which will affect foreign investments on their soil.

Chinese owner of Nexperia demands $8 billion from Netherlands over government takeover

2026-05-12 10:10:40

12-May-2026

Wingtech, the Chinese parent of the Nijmegen chipmaker Nexperia, said it will commence international arbitration proceedings against the Netherlands under the Netherlands-China investment treaty.

ICSID registers Lansdowne Oil & Gas Ireland arbitration request

2026-05-12 10:02:20

12-May-2026

Lansdowne Oil & Gas PLC said the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes has registered the company's request for arbitration against Ireland, in a dispute over the Barryroe oil and gas field.

CEPR applauds Colombia for advancing investor-state dispute settlement talks but flags concerns over diluted conference outcomes at Santa Marta

2026-05-07 12:48:27

07-May-2026

The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) commends Colombia for its leadership in advancing discussions over investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) in recent weeks.

US and others propose e-commerce pact as WTO deadlock deepens

2026-05-07 12:44:32

07-May-2026

The US and a group of countries are planning to press ahead with their own moratorium on e-commerce duties ‌if Brazil and Turkey continue to oppose an extension of a global deal at World Trade Organization talks on Wednesday, a draft document shows.