Mr Christopher Thomas NAB7.18

This course is available on the Master of Laws and Master of Laws (extended part-time study). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

This course is capped at 30 students. Students must apply through Graduate Course Choice on LSEforYou.

The aim of the course is to introduce students to international investment law and dispute settlement, the latter emphasizing developments in investment treaty arbitration. The course focuses on the public international law rules and institutions that govern investments and investment treaty disputes. The course has four components: (1) the historical, theoretical and policy background behind investment treaties and dispute settlement by arbitration; (2) the rules governing jurisdiction and admissibility of investor-state arbitration cases; (3) the substantive principles and standards - such as national treatment, most-favoured-nation treatment, expropriation, and the minimum standard in international law - that may apply to the investor-state relationships; and (4) recognition and enforcement of investor-state arbitral awards and interaction between international tribunals and national courts.

22 hours of seminars in the LT.

One 2,000 word essay after week 6 on previous exam questions (choice of 1 out of 3).

R. Dolzer and C. Schreuer, Principles of International Investment Law (2nd edn, OUP 2012); C. McLachlan QC, L. Shore, M. Weiniger, and L. Mistelis, International Investment Arbitration: Substantive Principles (OUP 2007); G. Van Harten, Investment Treaty Arbitration and Public Law (OUP 2006)

Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.