Past event

Research Event

TTIP: Shaping the Future of Investor−State Dispute Settlement?

Chatham House, London

International Law Discussion Group

Event documents

Meeting Summary
pdf | 102.41 KB

Participants

Sapfo Constantatos, Senior Group Legal Counsel, Dispute Resolution in the General Counsel's Office, Standard Chartered Bank
Andrew Coop, Senior Legal Adviser, EU and International Trade, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Lorenzo Cotula, Principal Researcher, Law and Sustainable Development, International Institute for Environment and Development
Christian Leathley, Partner, International Arbitration and Public International Law, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, London
Andrea Shemberg, Lead, Investment and Human Rights Project, London School of Economics; Legal Adviser to UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Business and Human Rights (2007-11)
Chair: Andrew Cannon, Partner, International Arbitration and Public International Law, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, Paris

Overview

The proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the EU and the US, two of the world's largest economies, is intended to remove trade barriers, create wealth and promote investment. On 13 January, the European Commission published the results of its public consultation on investment protection and investor−state dispute settlement (ISDS) in TTIP.  Of the 150,000 responses, 97 per cent were negative. Critics have stated that the ISDS proposals would allow corporates to undermine regulation by governments in fields such as environmental protection. A further consultation is promised.                                     

But why has ISDS in TTIP aroused such opposition? Can it be improved to strike a balance between investment protection and the right of governments to regulate? And, if TTIP is a blueprint for future free trade agreements (FTAs), what lies in store for this form of dispute resolution?                                     

This event will bring together voices from a broad range of stakeholders including UK government, industry and civil society. 

This meeting is being held in partnership with Herbert Smith Freehills LLP and will be followed by a drinks reception.

THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL AND REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.

The Chatham House Rule

To enable as open a debate as possible, this event will be held under the Chatham House Rule.