LL4E7 Half Unit
Investment Treaty Law
This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Jan Kleinheisterkamp NAB 7.09 and Dr Mona Pinchis
Availability
This course is available on the LLM (extended part-time), LLM (full-time) and University of Pennsylvania Law School LLM Visiting Students. 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.
Course content
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.
Teaching
This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures totalling a minimum of 20 hours in Lent Term. Students will usually have two additional hours in the Summer Term. This year teaching will be delivered through recorded online lectures and a mix of both in-person and online classes to accommodate students who are unable to physically be on campus. This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Lent Term.
Formative coursework
Students are asked to choose from EITHER an oral moot presentation and written submissions OR one 2,000 word formative essay.
Indicative reading
C.L. Lim, J. Ho, M. Paparinskis, International Investment Law and Arbitration (CUP 2018); R. Dolzer and C. Schreuer, Principles of International Investment Law (2nd edn, OUP 2012); G. Van Harten, Investment Treaty Arbitration and Public Law (OUP 2006)
Assessment
Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours, reading time: 15 minutes) in the summer exam period.
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: Law
Total students 2019/20: 24
Average class size 2019/20: 24
Controlled access 2019/20: Yes
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Communication
- Specialist skills
