The WTO is one piece in a complex network of international, regional and domestic legal systems and regulatory frameworks. The influences on the development of WTO law extend far beyond its own Members and institutions: domestic legal instruments have provided the inspiration for numerous WTO obligations while the rights and obligations under the covered agreements are frequently incorporated into the legal systems of the Membership. The WTO is home to numerous committees and working groups that also engage with other international bodies and their domestic counterparts. Transnational actors seek to take advantage of these networks, encouraging WTO law to develop in their favour. The interactions involved, however, are highly complex and unpredictable. By drawing on different models of causal explanation, it is possible to offer a perspective on the development of WTO law that accepts its role as part of a larger globalized process. Three different causal influences are identified: instrumental, systemic and constitutive. Together, they offer a prism through which to examine the development of WTO law as it responds to the behaviour of transnational actors, bridging gaps between international relations and law and, it is hoped, offering a convincing explanatory rationale for the way in which WTO law develops.

Katarína Jakabová Abstract ABSTRACT Procedural aspects of the dispute settlement in international economic law The dispute settlement in the international economic law of nowadays takes place under more institutionalized mechanism as in the past half-century. The aim is clear: better enforceability of the law (of the award) based on the fast and efficient "under one roof" procedure. This thesis focuses on the procedural aspects of the dispute settlement within the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Each of these three organizations has its own special dispute settlement procedure, which is above all distinctive from the international trade law by having at least one (member) state as a party to a dispute. I have chosen WTO because it regulates the disputes on a state-state level arising from all the WTO agreements between all WTO members, which makes it the biggest (and very effective, let's admit) dispute settling platform worldwide. ICSID is the first and most popular mixed arbitration allowing a non-state party (an investor) to be a party to a dispute. And finally, NAFTA, even if it is on a substantial level complementing the WTO agreements, represents their competitive version on the...

The number of investor-state arbitration disputes has been on the rise since the mid 1990s. Their determinants are still not fully understood. This study empirically examines the effects of economic crises on investor-state arbitration claims, based on international investment agreements (IIAs). We use a unique dataset containing 961 investor-state arbitration claims covering 132 host (defendant) and 75 home (claimant) countries over the 1986-2017 period. We find that episodes of economic crises are positively and significantly associated with the number of investor-state arbitration cases and we uncover evidence that the type of economic crisis matters. In addition, the positive impact of economic crises on arbitration cases is inversely related to the rule of law in a host country. These results are consistent with the view that governments are prioritizing policy actions aiming at mitigating the negative impact of economic crises over compliance with their obligations in IIAs. From a policy perspective, our results suggest that besides strengthening the rule of law domestically, the IIA system should be reformed with a focus on avoiding a vicious circle, thus shortening the recovery period after economic crises. / Series: Department of Economics Working Paper Series

This thesis deals with the dispute settlement in international economic law. Specifically, it focuses on dispute settlement mechanism within the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The aim of the thesis is to examine specific features and evolution of this mechanism and to look at its functioning through case analysis. As an object of the case analysis I chose to investigate cases which have been filed by or against People's Republic of China (China) since its accession in 2001. The accession of China to the WTO was entailed with some controversy and China is well known as a state which is rather not in favor of international adjudication. Therefore, I would like to discuss why this system is more appealing to China and which consequences it might have. The thesis is divided into four main parts which are further divided into chapters. The first part of the thesis explores evolution of the dispute settlement mechanism of the WTO from its predecessor GATT 1947 and outlines main features of the dispute settlement proceedings. The second and the third parts of the thesis shift focus on China and provide a basis for the case analysis in the fourth part. The second part deals with specific circumstances of the accession of China to the WTO, while the third part looks at historical and cultural...

No / The quest for environmental protection alongside economic development has been one of the prominent themes of political and legal discourse for several decades. This article examines the extent to which the principle of sustainable development (introduced under the Rio Declaration 1992) as a conceptual framework for balancing these competing goals has been integrated within the international investment law regime. It does this by examining decisions of investment tribunals on disputes relating to the legitimacy of government measures on environmental grounds. The analysis evidenced a lack of clear principles and mechanisms for balanced consideration of all competing interests; with the outcome being generally the subordination of environmental concerns to the protection of investors’ economic interests under international investment law. This supports criticism that although sustainable development has become one of society’s most sought-after goals, progress towards achieving this has been frustratingly slow. Against this background, the article goes on to determine whether the outcomes from the hugely anticipated Rio+20 Conference provided a framework or mechanisms that could promote sustainability integration in investment arbitrations. The article fi nds that while the outcome document from the main Rio+20 Conference did not provide such a framework, the Declaration from the Judge’s Conference, which was organised by UNEP and held simultaneously in Rio, provided some principles and mechanisms that, if fl eshed out, could contribute towards better integration of sustainability in the investment regime.

O objeto do presente trabalho é a análise das mudanças no regime jurídico do investimento estrangeiro ocorridas na última década. Após o estudo histórico sobre o desenvolvimento desse regime, as quatro tendências que conduziram a elaboração das regras daquele período são examinadas. A primeira delas foi a criação de regimes regionais, como as regras sobre o investimento internacional do NAFT A, ASEAN, APEC e Mercosul. A segunda, as tentativas de estabelecimento de um regime multilateral, como comprovam não só as negociações do MAI e das TRIM\'s, nos quadros da OCDE e OMC, como a consolidação pelo Banco Mundial das Diretivas sobre o investimento direto estrangeiro. Em terceiro lugar, o surgimento de normas internacionais setoriais, a exemplo do Tratado da Carta da Energia. E, por último, o crescimento extraordinário do número de acordos bilaterais sobre a matéria. O estudo leva em consideração a jurisprudência internacional, principalmente as sentenças proferidas pelo CIRDI. O exame dessas quatro tendências é seguido pelo estudo de dois regimes regionais que dizem respeito aos interesses brasileiros: o do Mercosul e o da ALCA. Se comparado com os regimes anteriores, aquele dos anos 90 se distingue por privilegiar a flexibilização das regras sobre o fluxo de capitais e o incremento de seu ganho. Preocupações com regras concernentes à proteção do investimento estrangeiro parecem estar ultrapassadas em razão de dois motivos. Inicialmente, pela implementação de seguros e garantias contra riscos políticos que, além de contornar o risco decorrente das interferências governamentais nos investimentos, também minimizou as discussões sobre as indenizações. Em segundo lugar, pelo endosso dado pela maioria dos países em desenvolvimento às políticas neoliberais -o que inibiu a ação governamental no regime doméstico do investimento internacional- e pela concorrência entre esses países em atrair esse investimento. O direito internacional dos investimentos passou a contar com poucas lacunas, a basear-se menos no costume e a formalizar-se em instrumentos. Questões vitais em décadas anteriores, como aquelas relativas à cláusula Calvo e aos critérios indenizatórios, foram resolvidas por tratados ou pela jurisprudência. Esta tomou-se abundante, consolidando um entendimento conservador. Objetivamente, pouco restou do discurso inflamado dos anos 60 e 70 sobre a NOEI. Desmontou-se o binômio investimento e desenvolvimento, desarticulando-se um sistema anterior chamado de Direito Internacional do Desenvolvimento. Essa desarticulação deu-se por caminhos diversos. O direito internacional dos investimentos, antes objeto de Resolução da ONU, teve seus debates transpostos para outras organização, como o Banco Mundial A preocupação com o desenvolvimento foi realocada de capítulo do Direito Econômico Internacional para o campo dos Direitos Humanos. Das quatro tendências acima, uma delas parece que não terá continuidade: o tratamento setorial da matéria. Todavia, nos próximos anos, as outras três continuarão a ser seguidas: não há indicação de refluxo nos acordos bilaterais; a busca por um regime multilateral irá continuar, como aponta o compromisso assumido na reunião da OMC, em Doha de assinatura das TR!M\'S em 2005; e, finalmente, as negociações da ALCA, que incluem disposições sobre investimentos, indicam continuidade na tendência regional. / The purpose of this work is to analyze the changes introduced in the international legal regime applicable to foreign investment in the last decade. After an historical study on the development of this regime, the four trends that shaped the elaboration of these rules during this period are examined. Firstly, the tendency to the creation of international regional regimes -like NAFTA, Mercosur, ASEAN and APEC\'s special rules on investment- is analyzed. Secondly, the several attempts to establish a multilateral regime on foreign investment -as evidenced by the negotiation of the MAL in the OECD, and of the TRIM\'s, in the WTO, as well as the edition of the Guidelines on Foreign Direct Investment by the Word Bank- are reviewed. In the third place, the international rules applicable to investments in special sectors, as is the case of the Energy Chart Treaty, are focused. Finally, the increase in number of the bilateral treaties is examined. This study takes into account the international jurisprudence, mainly the awards rendered by the lCSID. This exam is followed by the study of two regional regimes that affect Brazilian interests: the Mercosur and the FTAA. If compared with the previous regimes, the one that prevailed in the nineties appears to be more concerned with both the flexibility of the rules on the flow of capitals and the increase of earnings. Concerns about rules on the investment protection have vanished for two main reasons. Initially, the availability of insurance and guaranties against political risks besides minimizing the risks presented by any governmental interference on the investor\'s control over its investment, also contributes to make issues on the value of indemnities irrelevant. In the second place, the majority of the developing countries not just endorsed neo-liberal policies, which made governmental restrictive postures on foreign investment difficult, but have started to compete against each other to attract foreign capitals. The International Law on Investments turned into a system with few gaps, based rather on written treaties than on customary law. Crucial issues of the past few decades, like these related to the Calvo doctrine or to indemnities criteria, were solved by treaties and arbitral decisions. Not only did the jurisprudence become abundant, but also consolidated conservative views on the matter. Objectively, very little remained of the fiery speech on the NEIO. The dual investment and development was undone and the previous system of the International Law of Development collapsed. This collapse was caused by different reasons. The most determining, however, is the fact that the International Law on Investment, based before on customary roles and precariously settled by UN\'s resolutions, were relocated to different fora, like the World Bank. The concern with development switched from an important chapter of the International Economic Law to Human Rights\' domain. Amidst the four trends pointed out in this work, apparently just one will be discontinued in the near future: the sectorial treatment of foreign investment. Nonetheless, the others will continue to be present: there is no evidence of reflux in the signing of bilateral treaties; the search for a multilateral regime will continue, as shown in the commitment made in the WTO Conference of Doha, in 2001, fixing for 2005 the signing of the agreement on TRIM\'s; and finally, the negotiation of FTAA, including dispositions on investments, indicates that the regional tendency will remain.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-26T20:20:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Clayton Vinicius Pegoraro de Araujo.pdf: 3196529 bytes, checksum: 68b883a150f61f88ec0a8a595c017f67 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-05-18 / This study examines the issue of legal and economic relations between Brazil and Argentina, based on the issue of International Economic Law from the perspective of regional competition. We address historical facts that led toward the current negotiations for the management of negotiations and a review of the laws of their economic actors, including the perspective of game theory. Finally, the understanding will be sought on the applicability of the Protocol of Fortaleza to stabilize relations, as distinct, between Brazil and Argentina / Este trabalho analisa o tema das relações jurídico-econômicas entre Brasil e Argentina, tomando como base a questão do Direito Econômico Internacional, sob o prisma da concorrência regional. São abordados fatos históricos implicados na direção das negociações para a atual gestão das negociações, bem como uma análise das legislações dos respectivos atores econômicos, inclusive sob a ótica da teoria dos jogos. Finalmente, será buscado o entendimento sobre a aplicabilidade do Protocolo de Fortaleza para estabilização das relações, tão distintas, entre Brasil e Argentina

Submitted by Luanna Matias (lua_matias@yahoo.com.br) on 2015-02-05T20:14:32Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Natália Fernanda Gomes - 2014.pdf: 1218754 bytes, checksum: eb3116a364820cf1c64bd387116406ed (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2015-02-19T11:22:34Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Natália Fernanda Gomes - 2014.pdf: 1218754 bytes, checksum: eb3116a364820cf1c64bd387116406ed (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-02-19T11:22:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Natália Fernanda Gomes - 2014.pdf: 1218754 bytes, checksum: eb3116a364820cf1c64bd387116406ed (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-06-02 / The present work analyzes the granting of agricultural subsidies by the States and the existing multilateral regulation on the subject. Explores the ambivalent character of the agricultural subsidies, which are important agricultural public policy mechanisms, but when granted in excess can cause damage to other countries, especially the developing ones, that have smaller budget availability to protect their productions. Then, it analyzes, by using the third world approaches to the international law, the existing regulation from the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the subject which, although declares its objectivity as to establish an agricultural trade system that is more fair and equitable, ends up legitimizing the subsidies programs of the developed countries, even at the expense of the interests and needs of other States. / O presente trabalho analisa a concessão de subsídios agrícolas pelos Estados e a regulação internacional existente sobre o tema no âmbito multilateral. Explora o caráter ambivalente da concessão de subsídios agrícolas, os quais ao mesmo tempo em que são importantes mecanismos de política pública agrícola, quando concedidos em excesso podem provocar prejuízos para outros países, em especial aqueles em desenvolvimento, que possuem menor disponibilidade orçamentária para proteger suas produções. Analisa, então, sob uma perspectiva do Terceiro Mundo ao direito internacional, a regulação existente junto a Organização Mundial do Comércio (OMC) acerca do tema a qual, embora declare objetivar estabelecer um sistema de comércio agrícola mais justo e equitativo, acaba por legitimar os programas de subsídios dos países desenvolvidos, mesmo quando em detrimento dos interesses e necessidades dos demais Estados.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:34:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-08-05 / Antidumping measures are an important tool of the state in the strategy of domestic industry protection, aimed at developing the country. Currently, it s the main mechanism used by the Member States of the WTO to curb the entry of foreign products in the domestic market. Brazil has been one of the biggest users. Looking at the history and at the development strategy of the currently developed countries, it becomes clear certain pattern, consisting of activists industrial, commercial and technological policies, such as infant industry protection, tariff protection, and a host direct and indirect intervention in the economy. Moreover, these countries achieved development, adopted in his period of catching-up, protectionist policies, in order to benefit its domestic industry by mainly tariff protection, from advocating trade liberalization only after reaching the technological frontier and have industries reached their international competitiveness. These strategies must be observed by countries that today seek to achieve development, such as Brazil. Economic liberalism eventually leading Latin American economies to specialization. That countries producing and exporting primary products and importing manufactured goods from abroad. The consequences of adopting such a policy are reflected even today, even after industrialization through import substitution occurred during the last century, the development has not been achieved. The movement of international trade liberalization and development of the multilateral system of international trade meant that tariff barriers fall gradually in trade relations among the countries participating in the GATT and especially after the agreement that gave rise to the WTO. Brazil, on account of these trade agreements, was forced to lay aside the use of tariff protection, passing in the last decade, the use of trade defense mechanisms, especially the anti-dumping measures, the greater ease in application, and little international effect, disputes and retaliation. The entry into force of the a new Decree Antidumping modernized Brazilian antidumping proceeding, leaving him, in theory, more quickly in the investigation of dumping, and more effective in the application or otherwise of measures; and as more inclusive and detailed has given greater legal predictability for the private sector. / As medidas antidumping constituem uma importante ferramenta do Estado na proteção estratégica da indústria doméstica, visando o desenvolvimento do país. Atualmente, são o principal mecanismo utilizado pelos Estados-Membros da OMC para conter a entrada de produtos estrangeiros no mercado doméstico. O Brasil tem sido um dos maiores utilizadores. Analisando a história e a estratégia de desenvolvimento dos países atualmente desenvolvidos, evidencia-se certo padrão, que consiste em políticas industriais, comerciais e tecnológicas ativistas, como a proteção à indústria nascente, proteção tarifária, e uma série intervenções diretas e indiretas na economia. Aliás, estes países que atingiram o desenvolvimento, adotaram em seu período de catching-up, políticas protecionistas, visando beneficiar sua indústria doméstica por meio, principalmente, da proteção tarifária, passando a defender a liberalização comercial apenas após o alcance da fronteira tecnológica e terem suas indústrias atingido competitividade internacional. Essas estratégias devem ser observadas pelos países que hoje buscam alcançar o desenvolvimento, como o Brasil. O liberalismo econômico acabou levando as economias latino-americanas à especialização produtiva. Esses países produziam e exportavam produtos primários, e importavam produtos industrializados do exterior. As consequências da adoção de tal política se refletem até hoje, e mesmo após a industrialização por substituição de importações ocorrida durante o século passado, não se alcançou o desenvolvimento. O movimento de liberalização do comércio internacional e o desenvolvimento do sistema multilateral de comércio internacional fizeram com que as barreiras tarifárias caíssem gradualmente nas relações comerciais dentre os países participantes do GATT e, sobretudo, após o acordo que deu origem à OMC. O Brasil, por conta desses acordos comerciais, foi forçado a deixar de lado a utilização da proteção tarifária, passando, na última década, a utilizar os mecanismos de defesa comercial, sobretudo, as medidas antidumping, pela maior facilidade na aplicação, e pouca repercussão internacional, disputas e retaliações. A entrada em vigor do Novo Decreto Antidumping modernizou o procedimento antidumping brasileiro, deixando-o, em tese, mais célere nas investigações de dumping, e mais eficaz na decisão de aplicação ou não de medidas; e por ser mais amplo e detalhado deu maior previsibilidade jurídica para o setor privado.

Les crises financières internationales ne se présentent pas comme des événements rares et isolés dans le temps. Des dénominateurs communs classiques à toute crise financière se retrouvent dans chaque cas historique : la détérioration des indicateurs macroéconomiques, la psychologie et les paniques des investisseurs, la spéculation. La problématique des dettes souveraines ne relevait jusqu’à présent principalement que des pays en développement, alors que les récentes perturbations financières ont démontré que les pays développés pouvaient également être gravement affectés. L’objectif de ce travail est d’analyser les évolutions du cadre juridique de la gestion des dettes souveraines pour réunir des éléments qui permettent de comprendre le choix normatif privilégié par chaque opérateur. L’actuel scénario d’endettement des États souverains entraîne nécessairement un bouleversement irréversible des règles et des structures juridiques connues qui visent à assurer le bon fonctionnement de l’économie mondiale. Face à l’actuelle incertitude normative, il est primordial d’étudier les supports du financement souverain, le traitement des crises, les propositions de réformes visant à améliorer le système et le rôle des institutions multilatérales dans la gestion de la dette souveraine. Après avoir déterminé l’existence d’un engagement international de gestion des dettes souveraines, nous plaidons pour la mise en œuvre d’un ensemble normatif d’outils conçus pour intégrer les réglementations nationales sur la base de modèles préexistants. / Historically, international financial crises do not occur in isolation but rather go hand in hand with the deterioration of macroeconomic indicators, investor panic and speculation. Until recently, the sovereign debt issue has principally concerned developing countries. However, the recent financial turmoil has revealed that developed countries can similarly be severely affected. Since the beginning of the 20th century, experts in international law have periodically discussed the possible remedies to the endemic situation of sovereign indebtedness. In 2001, the International Monetary Fund launched a proposal for a Sovereign Debt Restructuring Mechanism known as the ‘Krueger Plan’; this was quickly abandoned in 2003. Due to the present economic and political cul-de-sac, the legal framework of sovereign debt management strongly preoccupies the international community. The current sovereign debt scenario necessarily involves an irreversible disruption of the legal rules and structures that currently support a proper functioning global economy. This doctoral thesis analyses the evolution of the legal framework and the normative choices favoured by each actor. Identifying which particular legal issues are essential to evaluate such complexity allows us to deepen the theoretical and practical suggestions designed to facilitate the resolution of sovereign debt crises. After establishing the leading international requirements for sovereign debt management, this thesis advocates the implementation of a normative set of tools designed to integrate domestic regulations on the basis of previous models. / Internationale Finanzkrisen erweisen sich als nicht seltene und zeitlich unbegrenzte Ereignisse. Jeder Finanzkrise in der Historie haften die gleichen klassischen Charakteristiken an: die Beschädigung makroökonomischer Indikatoren, der Psychologie sowie die Panik der Investoren, Spekulationen. Darüber hinaus beschränken sich die aktuellen Finanzstörungen nicht mehr nur auf Entwicklungsländer. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit besteht darin, die Entwicklung des Rechtsrahmens der Verwaltung souveräner Schulden zu analysieren, um Elemente zusammenzutragen, die es erlauben die bevorzugten normativen Entscheidungen jedes Akteures zu verstehen, zu bewerten und im Anschluss entsprechend Handlungsanweisungen zu geben. Das gegenwärtige Szenario der Verschuldung souveräner Staaten führt unweigerlich zu einer unumkehrbaren Umwälzung der bekannten Rechtsverordnungen und -strukturen, die auf die Gewährleistung eines reibungslosen Funktionierens der Weltwirtschaft abzielen. Angesichts der gegenwärtigen normativen Unsicherheit, ist es von größter Bedeutung die Auseinandersetzung mit finanziellen Krisen, die entsprechenden Reformvorschläge, die Suche nach Systemverbesserungen hinsichtlich einer Marktregulierung und die Rolle der multilateralen Institutionen bezüglich der Verwaltung souveräner Schulden genauer zu untersuchen. Nach der Feststellung des Vorliegens einer internationalen Verpflichtung zum Staatsschuldenmanagement wird die Einführung einer Reihe normativer Werkzeuge befürwortet, um nationale Vorschriften auf Grundlage bereits bestehender Modelle zu integrieren.