1098 | Introduction to International Investment Law

Course Information

  • 2020-21
  • 1098
  • 5-Year B.A., LL.B. (Hons.), LL.M.
  • III, V
  • Mar 2021
  • Elective Course

This course focusses on international investment law, a growing practice area in the realm of dispute resolution. The course introduces key concepts of jurisdiction, admissibility, substantive protections, and procedure, while
also focussing on current reform issues in the practice area. Accordingly, this is a foundational course in international investment law, but develops on prior knowledge in public international law and alternative methods of dispute settlement.

This course has been developed from the lens of practice. The reading material includes key doctrinal pieces, but largely refers to primary materials such as bilateral and multilateral treaties, interpretive statements, case law, and multilateral reform documentation. The layout of the course will follow the logical sequence of investment claims, starting with an introduction to the field, moving on to issues of admissibility and jurisdiction, outlining procedural issues in bringing investment claims, describing the substantive principles of investment law, and finally covering scepticism with the current investment law framework and addressing reform options.

The course will be taught in a seminar style. Each session will comprise a presentation of doctrine by the faculty, followed by a class discussion of the readings, including relevant cases. Students may be called upon to share
their thoughts on the readings assigned for the session.

Students will be required to complete a 3000 word Seminar Paper on a subject of their choice in the field of investor State dispute settlement. Students will be required to discuss their research paper with the faculty in
a 10-15 minute viva voce. The faculty will be available for discussions regarding potential topics and research avenues.