The conference

The legitimacy of investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS) has come under fire due to high profile cases of investors’ challenges against host State regulatory measures. In light also of controversial trade negotiations with the United States (TTIP) and Canada (CETA), the European Commission has proposed a new system for the settlement of investment disputes.

The European Union is now pursuing the establishment of a Multilateral Investment Court (MIC) as a global solution for ISDS legitimacy concerns in the framework of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

Bringing together high-level experts in international, EU and investment law, this symposium explores to what extent the EU response to identified ISDS concerns is achievable with respect to both EU internal and external dynamics. This timely discussion evolves around the EU’s proposal to UNCITRAL to establish a MIC and the Advocate General’s Opinion on compatibility of the CETA ISDS mechanism with EU law.

 Introduction

  • Nicolas de SADELEER (Université Saint-Louis –Bruxelles) and Nicolas ANGELET (ULB).

The flaws of ISDS and UNCITRAL reform

  • Ivana DAMJANOVIC, Australian National University, Canberra, guest researcher at Université Saint-Louis– Bruxelles.
  • Comments by Eric DE BRABANDERE, professor of International Dispute Settlement, Leiden University.

The ISDS reform and EU law

  • Nicolas de SADELEER, professor of Law, Jean Monnet Chair, Université Saint-Louis –Bruxelles.
  • Comments by Marianne DONY, professor of European Union Law, Jean Monnet Chair, IEE-ULB.

Legal aspects of a Multilateral Investment Court

  • Nicolas ANGELET, professor of public international law, ULB.
  • Comments by Tom RUYS, professor of public international law, Ghent University.

Conclusion

  • Mathias FORTEAU, professor of public law, Université Paris Ouest, Nanterre – La Défense, former member of the UN International Law Commission.

Practical details

Date: Wednesday 20 February 2019

Time: 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Address: Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Institut de sociologie, avenue Jeanne 44, 1050 Bruxelles – room Somville (second floor).

www.ulb.ac.be/campus/solbosch/plan-S.html

Language: English and exceptionally French with an English summary.

Participation: Free of charge but registration is mandatory before 18 February (webmaster.droit@ulb.ac.be)

Organizers: Nicolas ANGELET (Université libre de Bruxelles) and Nicolas de SADELEER (Université Saint-Louis – Bruxelles).

Information: Nicolas de SADELEER (desadeleer@fusl.ac.be).