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LS552P: INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT LAW AND ARBITRATION IN THE ENERGY SECTOR (2018-2019)

Last modified: 22 May 2019 17:07


Course Overview

The complex interaction between investment protection and the sovereign right of states to regulate has been most acute in the energy sector. On the one hand, investors require strong guarantees that states will respect the “rules of the game” that constitute the basis of their investments. On the other, states can be tempted to interfere with foreign energy investments because of their particular strategic and social importance. This course aims to analyse if existing investment disciplines are adapted to the specific regulatory risks that investors face in the energy landscape of the 21st Century.

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Term Second Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Gloria Alvarez

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Postgraduate Programme (Studied)
  • Law (LS) (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

  • Master of Laws in International Law and Strategic Studies (Studied)
  • Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (Studied)
  • Master of Laws in International Law and International Relations (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The rapid increase in the number of arbitral awards in recent years has highlighted the challenge for host states of creating an attractive investment climate and at the same time safeguarding sufficient regulatory space to pursue public policy objectives. The complex interaction between foreign investment protection and the regulatory sovereignty of states has been most acute in the energy sector. Energy investments are capital intensive and characterized with a long-term pay-back period. Investors therefore require strong guarantees that states will respect the “rules of the game” that constitute the basis of their investments. On the other hand, states are tempted to interfere with foreign energy investments because of their particular strategic and social importance. The purpose of this course is to explore the complex interaction between foreign investment protection and states’ regulatory sovereignty in international investment arbitration cases concerning the energy sector. This course aims to analyse if existing investment protection standards are adapted to the specific regulatory and political risks that investors face in the energy landscape of the 21st Century.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

First attempt: one 800 word case note, worth 10% of the overall grade; one 3,000-word essay, worth 40% of the overall grade; one 3-hour exam, worth 50% of the overall grade.

Resit: 1 three hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Feedback

Summative essay will be returned with feedback thereon.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.

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