To stimulate the academic and practical interest of students in a challenging area of law. To encourage and develop analytical thinking, To enable the creation of effective solutions to legally and factually complex problems. To develop the capacity to construct an effective argument, soundly based in critical analysis of the law both orally and in writing To cultivate a range of fundamental legal and transferable skills

(LO1) Demonstrate an understanding of the institutional and normative foundations of international investment law

(LO2) Evaluate international investment agreements  and their  various implications from a legal perspective

(LO3) Appreciate the role of different dispute settlement agencies and techniques

(LO4) Critically appraise international investment law from the perspective of different groups of states, business interests and other interest groups, including environmental and social interest groups

(LO5) Use and understand complex legal texts, case law, and academic writing to identify solutions for legal and policy issues arising in the application of investment treaties and enforcement of investment arbitration awards

(S1) Research skills - All Information skills

(S2) Improving own learning/performance - Self-awareness/self-analysis

(S3) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills – oral

(S4) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills - written

(S5) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis

The module will address key topics concerning the formation and application of investment treaty law. Such topics include the following:   customary, bilateral and multilateral foundations of international investment law the notion of investment and investor the meaning and scope of MFN, national treatment, and non-arbitrariness clauses the protection against expropriation the standard of fair and equitable treatment the role and scope of umbrella clauses key features of investor-state arbitration in the ICSID and other arbitral institutions conflicts between investment protection and human rights, sustainable development, and environmental protection Please note that not all the above topics may necessarily be taught in any given semester.

Teaching Method 1 - Seminar
Description: seminar
Attendance Recorded: No
Notes: Seminars will allow you to examine the issues covered in the module in significant detail. These issues will be discussed and debated, any particular problems or gaps in the knowledge identified and clarified, and specific feedback given to students as to their progress in the module. In preparation for the seminars, you will be given a list of essential reading usually including academic articles and book chapters, as well as primary legal materials such as investment treaty texts and decisions of arbitral tribunals.

Teaching Method 2 - Online
Description:
Attendance Recorded: No
Notes: Students will be provided with online exercises both in preparation for seminars and by way of learning summary. One of the formative assessment will also be undertaken online in the form of an asynchronous discussion.

Teaching Method 3 - Drop-In
Description: Drop -In
Attendan ce Recorded: No
Notes: At the end of the module student will be offered the opportunity to attend a drop-in session to discuss feedback on their formative assessment and address issues they may have encountered in the course of learning and preparation for summative assessment.

Skill/Other Attribute 1:
"Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis"
How this is developed:
"Seminars, Drop In Sessions and Independent Learning "

Skill/Other Attribute 2:
"Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills - written"
How this is developed:
"Seminars, Drop In Sessions and Independent Learning "

Skill/Other Attribute 3:
"Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills – oral"
How this is developed:
"Seminars"

Skill/Other Attribute 4:
"Improving own learning/performance - Self-awareness/self-analysis"
How this is developed:
"Seminars, Drop In Sessions and Independent Learning "

Skill/Other Attribute 5:
"Research skills - All Information skills"
How this is developed:
"Seminars, Drop In Sessions and Independent Learning "