Pathfinder on International Investment Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution Web-Based Resources

Abstract

This pathfinder is intended to assist government officials, investors, practitioners, arbitrators, scholars, and other stakeholders in locating literature on the dialogue of international investment law and dispute resolution. This document covers online resources useful in promoting collaborative relationships among experts in international investment law and dispute resolution.

Primary international investment law materials include multinational and bilateral investment and trade agreements, as well as domestic laws and regulations of foreign investments made in other countries. Traditional topics of interest under international investment law include tax, antitrust, securities, corporate, environmental, and labor laws.

Arbitration is a dispute resolution process typically conducted in a non-judicial setting. As a general concept, alternative dispute resolution is broadly construed to include negotiation, mediation, conciliation, and arbitration. These techniques are not considered to be mutually exclusive and one or more techniques may be used in sequence or as part of a combination. The process is simple and traditionally governed by the rules of a neutral arbitration organization selected by the parties or an agreement administered by a panel of arbitrators agreed upon by the parties. Confidentiality requirements are often included. The presence of confidentiality requirements can limit access to information.

The large number of dispute resolution institutions adds a complexity to locating certain information on awards. This paper presents selected resources in the areas of international investment law and dispute resolution, including the following categories: locating literature and resources; organizations, associations, societies, and institutions; arbitration; rules; news services, discussion lists and blogs; resources regarding conventions, treaties, cases, and awards; other web resources; specialized journals; resource guides, pathfinders and annotated bibliographies; and UNCTAD. Resources available solely in print and resources the scope of which is limited solely to an individual nation are excluded as beyond the scope of this document.

Keywords: Pathfinder, international investment law, dispute resolution, resources, discussion lists, blogs

JEL Classification: K10, K33