investor-state treaty regimes and arbitral processes exploratory research beth a. simmons straus...
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Investor-State Investor-State Treaty Regimes Treaty Regimes
and Arbitral and Arbitral Processes Processes Exploratory ResearchExploratory Research
Beth A. SimmonsBeth A. Simmons
Straus Institute, 2009-2010Straus Institute, 2009-2010
Introduction to the TopicIntroduction to the Topic Characteristics of the emerging “regime” for Characteristics of the emerging “regime” for
the facilitation and protection of FDIthe facilitation and protection of FDI Uniqueness of the emerging systemUniqueness of the emerging system
Largely bilateralLargely bilateral Largely North-SouthLargely North-South Special status of investors in dispute settlementSpecial status of investors in dispute settlement
Growing questions of legitimacyGrowing questions of legitimacy Asymmetrical aspectsAsymmetrical aspects Not especially transparentNot especially transparent Law BIT by BIT? Law through litigation? Law BIT by BIT? Law through litigation? Increasingly, state actors are resisting: exit and Increasingly, state actors are resisting: exit and
voicevoice My purpose: to develop a theory of the way My purpose: to develop a theory of the way
this system worksthis system works
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008
WTO Trade Disputes and ICSID Investment Disputes
number of new ICSID arbitrations number of new GATT/WTO disputes
Introduction to the TopicIntroduction to the Topic Characteristics of the emerging “regime” for Characteristics of the emerging “regime” for
the facilitation and protection of FDIthe facilitation and protection of FDI Uniqueness of the emerging systemUniqueness of the emerging system
Largely bilateralLargely bilateral Largely North-SouthLargely North-South Special status of investors in dispute settlementSpecial status of investors in dispute settlement
Growing questions of legitimacyGrowing questions of legitimacy Asymmetrical aspectsAsymmetrical aspects Not especially transparentNot especially transparent Law BIT by BIT? Law through litigation? Law BIT by BIT? Law through litigation? Increasingly, state actors are resisting: exit and Increasingly, state actors are resisting: exit and
voicevoice My purpose: to develop a theory of the way My purpose: to develop a theory of the way
this system worksthis system works
Comparison of defendants Comparison of defendants in trade and investment in trade and investment
disputesdisputes
References to "ICSID", UNCITRAL" and "International Arbitration" in U.S. news sources, 1990-2009
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
ICS
ID a
nd
UN
CIT
RA
L h
its
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
Inte
rnat
ion
al A
rbit
rati
on
hit
s
"ICSID" hits "UNCITRAL" hits "International Arbitration" hits
Source: LexisNexis database
References to "ICSID, "UNCITRAL" and "International Arbitration" in world news sources, 1990-2009
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
ICS
ID a
nd
UN
CIT
RA
L h
its
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
Inte
rnat
ion
al A
rbit
rati
on
hit
s
ICSID hits UNCITRAL hits Int. Arbitration hits
Source: LexisNexis database
Outline of presentationOutline of presentation
The rise of BITsThe rise of BITs BITs as bargains – a look at contentsBITs as bargains – a look at contents The consequences of BITsThe consequences of BITs Trends in arbitrationTrends in arbitration Push-back: annulment proceedingsPush-back: annulment proceedings ConclusionsConclusions
The Rise of BITsThe Rise of BITsCumulative BITs world wide
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
Average number of BITs negotiated each Average number of BITs negotiated each year by…year by…
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
left governments center government right governments
Average, left = 1.45/year**Average, center = 1.72/yearAverage, right = 1.67/year*
Why the BIT mania?Why the BIT mania?
Technology for joint gainsTechnology for joint gains Spread of neo-liberal ideas of Spread of neo-liberal ideas of
developmentdevelopment
But alsoBut also High stakesHigh stakes
Tough competitionTough competition Hard timesHard times
1
2
3
4A
vera
ge F
ore
ign
Dir
ect
Inv
est
men
t, N
et
Infl
ow
s (%
of
GD
P)
0
50
100
150
200
Nu
mb
er
of
Tre
ati
es
Sig
ned
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Year
Average Foreign Direct Investment
Number of Treaties Signed
High stakesHigh stakes
Tough CompetitionTough Competition
Predictors that a developing will ratify a Predictors that a developing will ratify a BIT with any other country:BIT with any other country: Ratification in countries with similar Ratification in countries with similar
infrastructureinfrastructure Ratification in countries with similar work Ratification in countries with similar work
forceforce Ratification in countries with similar export Ratification in countries with similar export
profileprofile Developing countries do what their closest Developing countries do what their closest
economic competitors for capital do.economic competitors for capital do.
Hard Hard TimesTimesWorld GDP Growth and BITs
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
Year
Nu
mb
er o
f tr
eati
es s
ign
ed
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
Wo
rld
GD
P g
row
th
cumulative BITs world GDP growth 5 per. Mov. Avg. (world GDP growth)
Average Growth Rates Preceding Any BIT Signing
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
Year (0=year of BIT signing)
gro
wth
rat
e
Any BIT signed No BITsigned
Note: difference in mean growth rates is statistically significant (p<.05) in years -3 and -2.
Average Growth Rates Preceding BITs Sprees (>4 BITs/year)
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
Year (0=BITs spree year)
gro
wth
rat
e
BIT spree no BIT spree
Note: difference in mean growth rates is statistically significant (p<.05) in years -3,-2,-1 and 0.
BITs as bargains: a look BITs as bargains: a look at contentsat contents
Getting the text – not as easy as it sounds.Getting the text – not as easy as it sounds. Deciding what to code – not as obvious as it Deciding what to code – not as obvious as it
may seem.may seem. Starting point: dispute settlement clauses.Starting point: dispute settlement clauses. Simple assumptions:Simple assumptions:
Capital importing countries want as much local Capital importing countries want as much local control as they can get away withcontrol as they can get away with
Investors want a dispute as removed from local Investors want a dispute as removed from local host country institutions as possiblehost country institutions as possible
Hypothesis: host countries in weak Hypothesis: host countries in weak bargaining positions lose more sovereign bargaining positions lose more sovereign control in the event of disputescontrol in the event of disputes
Hard-to-find BITs
0
50
100
150
200
250
1959
1962
1965
1968
1971
1974
1977
1980
1983
1986
1989
1992
1995
1998
2001
2004
year
nu
mb
er o
f n
ew B
ITs
texts found texts missing
"missing" = could not be found on UNCTAD or major country-specific websitesSource: Allee and Peinhardt, 2010
How random are the “hard-to-How random are the “hard-to-find” BITs?find” BITs?
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
0
2
4
6
8
10
poorer partner richer partner combined
(les
s d
em)
po
lity
sca
le (
mo
re d
em)
texts found texts missing
Mean democracy scores of countries' whose BITs texts are "easy" versus "difficult" to find are significantly different (p=.0000)."Found" BIT texts are likely to be a biased (highly democratic) sample.
BITs as bargains: a look BITs as bargains: a look at contentsat contents
Getting the text – not as easy as it sounds.Getting the text – not as easy as it sounds. Deciding what to code – not as obvious as it Deciding what to code – not as obvious as it
may seem.may seem. Starting point: dispute settlement clauses.Starting point: dispute settlement clauses. Simple assumptions:Simple assumptions:
Capital importing countries want as much local Capital importing countries want as much local control as they can get away withcontrol as they can get away with
Investors want a dispute as removed from local Investors want a dispute as removed from local host country institutions as possiblehost country institutions as possible
Hypothesis: host countries in weak Hypothesis: host countries in weak bargaining positions lose more sovereign bargaining positions lose more sovereign control in the event of disputescontrol in the event of disputes
Number of New BITs that Mention ICSID
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
year
no mention of ICSID mentions ICSID
Numbert of new BITs that Mention UNCITRAL
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
no mention of UNCITRAL mentions UNCITRAL
BITs as bargains: a look BITs as bargains: a look at contentsat contents
Getting the text – not as easy as it sounds.Getting the text – not as easy as it sounds. Deciding what to code – not as obvious as it Deciding what to code – not as obvious as it
may seem.may seem. Starting point: dispute settlement clauses.Starting point: dispute settlement clauses. Simple assumptions:Simple assumptions:
Capital importing countries want as much local Capital importing countries want as much local control as they can get away withcontrol as they can get away with
Investors want a dispute as removed from local Investors want a dispute as removed from local host country institutions as possiblehost country institutions as possible
Hypothesis: host countries in weak Hypothesis: host countries in weak bargaining positions lose more sovereign bargaining positions lose more sovereign control in the event of disputescontrol in the event of disputes
What explains the choice of dispute What explains the choice of dispute settlement provisions?settlement provisions?
Results of a series of probit models; Results of a series of probit models; dependent variable: presence or absence of particular kind of dependent variable: presence or absence of particular kind of
clauseclauseICSIDprovisio
n
UNCITRAL
provision
NeitherICSID
norUNCITRA
L
Local body
provision
ExhaustLocalremedie
s
Growth past
3-yrs (host)
-.005(p=.422
)
-.021***
(p=.003)
.027**(p=.012)
.024***
(p=.000)
.028**
(p=.028)
Jointdemocrac
y
.038***
(p=.000)
.011(p=.112)
-.034***
(p=.000)
-.005(p=.315
)
-.007(p=.477
)
Difference in
development
.096(p=.102
)
-.054(p=.427)
-.078(p=.261)
-.283***
(p=.000)
-.203**
(p=.015)
Year .061***
(p=.000)
.093***
(p=.000)
-.061***
(p=.000)
.050***
(p=.001)
-.037*(p=.098
)
# obs. 1213 1213 1213 1204 1205
Pseudo R2 .120 .091 .135 .082 .053
Data on provisions: Allee and Peinhardt 2010.
Effect of Growth Rate on probability of no ICSID or UNCITRAL clauses
0
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.1
10% grow th -10% grow th
pro
bab
ility
Effect of Growth Rate on probability of an UNCITRAL clause
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
10% growth -10% growth
pro
bab
ility
Effect of Growth Rate on probability of clause relating to local recourse
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
10% growth -10% growth
The The consequences of consequences of the host business the host business
cycle for BITs cycle for BITs dispute dispute
settlement settlement clauses…clauses…
What are the consequences What are the consequences of signing BITs?of signing BITs?
Great source of collected articles: Great source of collected articles: Sauvant, Karl P., and Lisa E. Sachs. 2009. Sauvant, Karl P., and Lisa E. Sachs. 2009. The Effect of The Effect of
Treaties on Foreign Direct InvestmentTreaties on Foreign Direct Investment. Oxford: OUP. Oxford: OUP
Effect of BITs signings/ratifications on FDI flows:Effect of BITs signings/ratifications on FDI flows: very little if any, conditional on: very little if any, conditional on:
good domestic institutions (Hallward-Driemeier 2003; good domestic institutions (Hallward-Driemeier 2003; Rose-Ackerman and Tobin 2005) and Rose-Ackerman and Tobin 2005) and
the capital source (Gallagher and Birch 2006).the capital source (Gallagher and Birch 2006). Some positive benefits Eggera and Pfaffermayr 2004; Some positive benefits Eggera and Pfaffermayr 2004;
Neumayer and Spess 2004; Kerner 2009).Neumayer and Spess 2004; Kerner 2009).
The The most predictablemost predictable outcome of ratifying BITs… outcome of ratifying BITs…
BITs: If you Ratify, They Will BITs: If you Ratify, They Will Litigate…Litigate…
BITs and ICSID cases, world wide
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
year
nu
mb
er o
f IC
SID
cas
es
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
cum
ula
tive
BIT
s
number of new cases cumulative BITs world wide
BITs: If you Ratify, They Will BITs: If you Ratify, They Will Litigate…Litigate…
BITs and ICSID cases, Latin America
0
5
10
15
20
25
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
year
nu
mb
er o
f IC
SID
cas
es
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
cum
ula
tive
BIT
s
Number of Latin American cases cumulative BITs, L.A.
BITs: If you Ratify, They Will BITs: If you Ratify, They Will Litigate…Litigate…
BITs and ICSID cases, Argentina
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
year
nu
mb
er o
f IC
SID
cas
es
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
cum
ula
tive
BIT
s
Number of Argentine cases cumulative BITs, Argentina
Average number of Average number of arbitrations by…arbitrations by…
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
left governments center governments right governments
Average number of Average number of arbitrations by…arbitrations by…
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
left govs center govs right govs
excluding Argentina
Economic Conditions prior Economic Conditions prior to Arbitrationsto Arbitrations
World GDP Growth and Arbitration
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006
Year
nu
mb
er o
f n
ew c
ases
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Wo
rld
GD
P g
row
th
5 per. Mov. Avg. (number of new cases) 5 per. Mov. Avg. (world GDP growth)
Economic Conditions prior Economic Conditions prior to Arbitrationsto Arbitrations
Latin America & Caribbean GDP Growth and Arbitration
0
5
10
15
20
25
1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002 2007
year
nu
mb
er o
f n
ew c
ases
-4
-2
0
2
4
6
8
10
Lat
in A
mer
ica
&
Car
ibb
ean
GD
P g
row
th
5 per. Mov. Avg. (Number of Latin American cases)
5 per. Mov. Avg. (Latin America GDP Growth)
Economic Conditions prior Economic Conditions prior to Arbitrationsto Arbitrations
Arbitration and GDP Growth - Argentina(5-year moving averages)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002 2007
year
nu
mb
er o
f n
ew c
ases
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
5 per. Mov. Avg. (Number of Argentine cases) 5 per. Mov. Avg. (Argentine GDP growth)
Conditions associated with Conditions associated with arbitrationarbitration
Dependent variable: arbitration in a given year (probit Dependent variable: arbitration in a given year (probit coefficients, p-values)coefficients, p-values)Explanatory Variables:Explanatory Variables: Model 2Model 2 Model 3Model 3 Model 4Model 4 Model 5Model 5
Log of arbitration, (t-1)Log of arbitration, (t-1) .202***.202***(p=.000)(p=.000)
.215***.215***(p=.001)(p=.001)
.224***.224***(p=.001)(p=.001)
.220***.220***(p=.000)(p=.000)
log of cumulative # of log of cumulative # of BITsBITs
.133***.133***(p=.000)(p=.000)
.255***.255***(p=.000)(p=.000)
.119**.119**(p=.011)(p=.011)
.224***.224***(p=.000)(p=.000)
YearYear .029***.029***(p=.000)(p=.000)
.024***.024***(p=.001)(p=.001)
.030***.030***(p=.000)(p=.000)
.025***.025***(p=.000)(p=.000)
Log inflation (t-2)Log inflation (t-2) .067*.067*(p=.055)(p=.055)
---- ---- ----
Log change in reserves Log change in reserves (t-2)(t-2)
---- -.088***-.088***(p=.002)(p=.002)
---- ----
FDI outflows (t-2)FDI outflows (t-2) ---- ---- -.004**-.004**(p=.027)(p=.027)
----
Change in foreign debt Change in foreign debt service/GDP(t-3)service/GDP(t-3)
---- ---- ---- -.009**-.009**(p=.047)(p=.047)
Overall R2Overall R2 .074.074 .096.096 .079.079 .092.092
# of countries# of countries 162162 118118 155155 130130
Total # observationsTotal # observations 27392739 20652065 20942094 20372037It’s the economy, stupid!
AnnulmentsAnnulments
No appeals of ICSID tribunal No appeals of ICSID tribunal decisions (compare WTO DSM).decisions (compare WTO DSM).
Annulments on only very narrow Annulments on only very narrow groundsgrounds absence of proper reasoningabsence of proper reasoning manifest "excess of powers" manifest "excess of powers"
And yet…And yet…
ICSID: Awards and annulment registrations
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
awards annulment registrations
In 2008 the number of new registrations for annulment proceedings exceeded the number of awards on the merits* made by ICSID tribunals in that year
*excluding awards on jurisdiction and settlements parties requested to be written in the form of awards
A Closer Look at Annulment A Closer Look at Annulment Attempts…Attempts…
ArgentinaArgentina 88
EgyptEgypt 44
ChileChile 33
EcuadorEcuador 22
MalaysiaMalaysia 22
PeruPeru 22
CameroonCameroon 11
DRCDRC 11
GabonGabon 11
GuineaGuinea 11
GuyanaGuyana 11
IndonesiaIndonesia 11
KazakhstanKazakhstan 11
MoroccoMorocco 11
PhilippinesPhilippines 11
SeychellesSeychelles 11
United Arab United Arab EmiratesEmirates 11
ICSID: Awards and annulment registrations
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
awards annulment registrations
Average democracy score, post 2006: 6/10
Average democracy score, through 2006: 2/10
Things to think aboutThings to think about The model that BITs are freely accepted fully-The model that BITs are freely accepted fully-
informed contracts should be re-examined. informed contracts should be re-examined. Though not coerced, many developing countries Though not coerced, many developing countries
entered these agreements under “stressful” entered these agreements under “stressful” conditions.conditions.
Bargaining asymmetries have consequences:Bargaining asymmetries have consequences: Rapid BIT spreadRapid BIT spread Poor termsPoor terms Insufficient consideration of the risksInsufficient consideration of the risks Systemically – result is an asymmetrical regime that gives Systemically – result is an asymmetrical regime that gives
investors much more than was “customary” and puts most investors much more than was “customary” and puts most of the risk of economic vulnerability on states.of the risk of economic vulnerability on states.
Many are questioning the payoffs (attracting more Many are questioning the payoffs (attracting more litigation than investment?)litigation than investment?)
Fortunately, there are pressures for change…Fortunately, there are pressures for change…
United States Net FDI
-200
-150
-100
-50
0
50
100
150
200
year
bil
lio
ns
of
US
do
llar
s
Complainants and Forums: Canadian, UNCITRAL: ICSID: Mexican, UNCITRAL:
Reasonable responses Reasonable responses
Reduce the asymmetries.Reduce the asymmetries.
Interpret contracts flexiblyInterpret contracts flexibly
Allow for appeals.Allow for appeals.
Rely more on an insurance Rely more on an insurance regime than a litigation regime than a litigation regime. regime.