tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66850967962976506962024-03-13T15:48:00.083+05:30Practical AcademicBadrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.comBlogger915125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-25356552317740867782024-02-22T06:32:00.002+05:302024-02-22T06:32:36.509+05:30India's Planning to Attract Private Investment in Nuclear Sector to the Tune of US$ 26 Billion<p style="text-align: justify;">In a major development, the print media reports that India is in talks with various private firms to attract investment to the tune of US$ 26 billion in the nuclear sector, in order to produce electricity from sources that do not produce carbon emissions. India plans to increase the percentage of contribution by non-fossil fuel sector in electricity generation. The current contribution of the nuclear sector and other sectors towards electricity generation is given below:</p><div align="center">
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b>Installed Power Generation
Capacity (2023)<o:p></o:p></b></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b>Particulars<o:p></o:p></b></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b> Installed Capacity (MW) <o:p></o:p></b></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b>Percentage<o:p></o:p></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Fossil Fuel<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: right;"> 2,37,269 <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: right;">57%<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Renewable Energy<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: right;"> 1,73,619 <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: right;">41%<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Nuclear Power <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: right;"> 6,780<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: right;">2%<o:p></o:p></p>
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</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div><p style="text-align: justify;"> India now seeks to increase this 2%. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/india-seeks-26-bln-private-nuclear-power-investments-sources-say-2024-02-20/">News reports</a> also suggest that the Government has been in talks with Reliance Industries, Tata Power, Adani Power and Vedanta to contribute about $ 5.30 billion each for investments in the nuclear sector. India is no exception: a substantial number of countries are looking at the nuclear option to meet their <a href="https://www.energy.gov/articles/cop28-countries-launch-declaration-triple-nuclear-energy-capacity-2050-recognizing-key">Net Zero commitments</a>.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">From a legal perspective, there might be a need to modify the present regulatory structure of nuclear energy in order to attract private investments (see, for instance, <a href="https://practicalacademic.blogspot.com/2023/07/small-modular-nuclear-reactors-in-india.html">here</a>). The increased focus on nuclear energy presents important opportunities, albeit long term, for law firms. Specialisation in nuclear power regulation, contracts relating to nuclear power plants, etc. will go a long way in catering to the potential market. Likewise, legal education in India could also focus on nuclear energy law, as this post <a href="https://practicalacademic.blogspot.com/2023/12/climate-change-nuclear-turn-legal.html">notes</a>.</p>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-38821894945068490762024-01-27T10:27:00.001+05:302024-01-27T10:31:45.768+05:30"A Employee" and the Employee's Compensation Act, 1923<p style="text-align: justify;">The Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923 was amended in 2009 through <a href="https://labour.gov.in/sites/default/files/compensation-act_0.pdf">the Workmen's Compensation (Amendment) Act, 2009</a>. One of the <a href="https://prsindia.org/files/bills_acts/bills_parliament/2008/bill_the_workmens_compensation_amendment_bill_2008_1.pdf">main purposes</a> of the amendment was to make the said law applicable to all categories of employees and to bring about a gender neutral term. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">For that purpose, the Short Title to the Act was changed to "Employee's Compensation Act, 1923" instead of "Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923". The term "workman" and "workmen" were replaced with "employee" and "employees". To do so, Section 5 of the Workmen's Compensation (Amendment) Act, 2009 provided:</p><p style="text-align: justify;">"<i>5. Throughout the principal Act, for the words "workman" and "workmen", wherever
they occur, the words "employee': and "employees" shall respectively be substituted,
<b><u>and such other consequential amendments as the rules of grammar may require shall also
be made</u></b></i>." (emphasis added).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In effect, Section 5 stated that wherever the term" workman" occured, it should be substituted with "employee" and corresponding grammatical changes would also be made. For instance, if the phrase "<b><u>a workman</u></b> relinquishes" it would have to be changed to "<u><b>an employee</b></u> relinquishes" although Section 5 of the the Workmen's Compensation (Amendment) Act, 2009 calls for substitution of the term "workman" with "employee".</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Unfortunately, we see in <a href="https://www.indiacode.nic.in/repealed-act/repealed_act_documents/A1923-08.pdf">the Employee's Compensation Act, 1923</a>, as is uploaded in the <a href="https://www.indiacode.nic.in/">India Code website</a> that the consequential grammatical changes were not made although "workman" was substituted with "employee". Some examples of this situation is provided in the table below:</p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr>
<td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.65pt;" valign="top" width="94">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">Section<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">Text of the Statute <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">2(1)(e)<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">“when the
services of a [employee] are temporarily lent or let on hire”<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
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<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.65pt;" valign="top" width="94">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">2(1)(g)<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">“earning
capacity of a [employee] in any employment”<o:p></o:p></p>
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<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.65pt;" valign="top" width="94">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">2(1)(l)<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">“incapacitates
a [employee] for all work which he was capable of performing”<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
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<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.65pt;" valign="top" width="94">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">2(1)(m)<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 380.15pt;" valign="top" width="507">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">“paid by the
employer of a [employee]”<o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"> The Act is replete with such errors in various other provisions. This requires correction.</p>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-90732116282752405602024-01-18T18:59:00.000+05:302024-01-18T18:59:41.612+05:30India Postpones Bringing Into Effect the Digital Personal Data Protection Framework<p style="text-align: justify;"> India enacted the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 ("DPDPA" or "Act") and the statute has been <a href="https://www.meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/Digital%20Personal%20Data%20Protection%20Act%202023.pdf">published in the Official Gazette</a>. The Act along with the regulatory framework is yet to be brought to force. Section 1(2) of the Act reads:</p><p style="text-align: justify;">"<i>(2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification
in the Official Gazette, appoint and different dates may be appointed for different provisions
of this Act and any reference in any such provision to the commencement of this Act shall
be construed as a reference to the coming into force of that provision</i>."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Central Government is yet to notify the date on which the provisions of the Act would come into force. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">From media reports (<a href="https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/govt-to-release-rules-for-data-protection-law-soon-aims-to-notify-in-january-2024-11933571.html">here</a> and <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/govt-may-release-personal-data-bill-rules-in-a-fortnight/articleshow/106162669.cms?from=mdr">here</a>), it initially appeared that the Government was making rules and the same would be published and the regulatory framework would be brought into effect by January 2024. However, media reports now (<a href="https://www.cnbctv18.com/technology/data-protection-framework-postponed-dpdp-notifcation-after-lok-sabha-elections-18823331.htm">here</a> and <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/dpdp-rules-expected-to-be-released-by-end-of-the-month-mos-chandrasekhar-124011600679_1.html">here</a>) suggest that the Government has postponed its decision to make the Act and the regulatory framework effective to post-elections, which are generally held in the months of April/ May. </p>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-56747292184592853282024-01-18T06:29:00.002+05:302024-01-18T06:29:30.420+05:30European Data Protection Board's Coordinated Enforcement Framework<p style="text-align: justify;">The EU EDPB (European Data Protection Board) came up with a <a href="https://edpb.europa.eu/sites/default/files/files/file1/edpb_documents_20201020_coordinatedenforcementframework_en.pdf">Coordinated Enforcement Framework</a> (CEF) in 2020 with the objective of facilitating joint actions among Supervisory Authorities under the EU General Data Protection Regulation, 2016.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The objective of the CEF was to facilitate joint actions among supervisory authorities in a coordinated manner. The legal basis of the CEF is contained in Article 61(1) read with Article 57(1)(g) of the GDPR. Article 61(1) reads:</p><p style="text-align: justify;">"<i>Supervisory authorities shall provide each other with relevant information and mutual assistance in order to
implement and apply this Regulation in a consistent manner, and shall put in place measures for effective
cooperation with one another. Mutual assistance shall cover, in particular, information requests and supervisory
measures, such as requests to carry out prior authorisations and consultations, inspections and investigations</i>."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Article 57(1)(g) states: </p><p style="text-align: justify;">"<i>1. Without prejudice to other tasks set out under this Regulation, each supervisory authority shall on its
territory: </i><i>...</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>(g) cooperate with, including sharing information and provide mutual assistance to, other supervisory
authorities with a view to ensuring the consistency of application and enforcement of this Regulation;</i>" </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Article 62, which deals with joint operations of supervisory authorities is also relevant for this purpose. Article 62(1) provides: "<i>The supervisory authorities shall, where appropriate, conduct joint operations including joint investigations
and joint enforcement measures in which members or staff of the supervisory authorities of other Member
States are involved</i>."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The role of EDPB is captured in Article 70(1)(u) of the GDPR, which states:</p><p style="text-align: justify;">"<i>1. The Board shall ensure the consistent application of this Regulation. To that end, the Board shall, on its
own initiative or, where relevant, at the request of the Commission, in particular:...</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>(u) promote the cooperation and the effective bilateral and multilateral exchange of information and best
practices between the supervisory authorities</i>;"</p><p style="text-align: justify;">These provisions form the legal basis for the CEF, which is basically a structure for coordinating recurring annual activities of the Supervisory Authorities under the GDPR through the EDPB. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">On the CEF, the EDPB Document states: "<i>The objective of the CEF is to facilitate joint actions in the broad sense in a flexible
but coordinated manner, ranging from joint awareness raising and information gathering to an
enforcement sweep and joint investigations</i>." (Para 5).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Why is the CEF important? The ultimate aim is compliance with GDPR and protection of rights and freedoms. The CEF reduces risks of compliance in wake of new technologies in data protection.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The CEF works in the following way:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3HQhmayHs1OwS4n9bwVA69x7KOmzi3rfr7sVcYT55cTHNmhDF5Q07DfP3hYN6_-KPl2ecAUx7H2o6z9CzZCnsxnw8VPrQNHV_ase0OXvJRRvklmBsAiQS95LEbb40-58pisagh1PMD42CVoB3kdvFNHIQCAZ2nTqAO6cdAk6Af6TD9Ijvh1PRDN_yi2M" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="696" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3HQhmayHs1OwS4n9bwVA69x7KOmzi3rfr7sVcYT55cTHNmhDF5Q07DfP3hYN6_-KPl2ecAUx7H2o6z9CzZCnsxnw8VPrQNHV_ase0OXvJRRvklmBsAiQS95LEbb40-58pisagh1PMD42CVoB3kdvFNHIQCAZ2nTqAO6cdAk6Af6TD9Ijvh1PRDN_yi2M=w562-h640" width="562" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">In 2022, the EDPB picked the role of Data Protection Officers for its 2023 Study. Now EDPB has come up with the report on the designation and position of Data Protection Officers, which can be accessed from <a href="https://edpb.europa.eu/our-work-tools/our-documents/other/coordinated-enforcement-action-designation-and-position-data_en">here</a>. <span style="text-align: left;">The 2022 stud</span><span style="text-align: left;">y was on </span><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://edpb.europa.eu/our-work-tools/our-documents/other/coordinated-enforcement-action-use-cloud-based-services-public_en">use of cloud-based services by the public sector</a>.</span></p><p><span style="text-align: left;">For 2024, the topic has been chosen by the EDPB in October 2023, </span>which <a href="https://edpb.europa.eu/news/news/2023/edpb-picks-topic-2024-coordinated-action_en">relates to the implementation of the right of access by controllers</a>.</p><p></p>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-59386310737830931702024-01-02T08:22:00.000+05:302024-01-02T08:22:21.511+05:30India & Pakistan Exchange List of Nuclear Installations under 1988 Agreement<p style="text-align: justify;"> It has been widely reported in the news media (see, for instance, <a href="https://www.livemint.com/news/india/india-pakistan-exchange-list-of-nuclear-installations-under-1988-bilateral-pact-11704107726908.html">here</a> and <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/india-pakistan-exchange-list-of-nuclear-installations-101704103457414.html">here</a>) that India and Pakistan have exchanged a list of nuclear installations further to a <a href="https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/37490/India+and+Pakistan+exchanged+list+of+Nuclear+Installations">Press Release by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India</a>. The Press Release notes that the exchange of lists was pursuant to an agreement which was signed on 31.12.1988, which came into force on 27.01.1991. Since then, the Release notes, both countries have exchanged lists 33 times (including the present one). This short post discusses the Agreement, known as India Pakistan Non-Attack Agreement, and the title of the Agreement is "Agreement between India and Pakistan on the Prohibition of Attack Against Nuclear Installations and Facilities". The Non-Attack Agreement was signed in Islamabad, Pakistan.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Non-Attack Agreement is a short one consisting of three articles. The Preamble to the Agreement recognises both countries' "<i>commitment to durable peace and
the development of friendly and harmonious bilateral
relations; conscious of the role of confidence
building measures in promoting such bilateral
relations based on mutual trust and goodwill...</i>"</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Article 1(ii) defines "nuclear installation or facility" as including "<i>nuclear power and research
reactors, fuel fabrication, uranium
enrichment, iso-topes separation and
reprocessing facilities as well as any other
installations with fresh or irradiated nuclear
fuel and materials in any form and
establishments storing significant quantities
of radio-active materials</i>." Thus, the definition is comprehensive where fresh or irradiated nuclear fuel or material in any form is used.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Article 1(i) contains the "Non-Attack" clause and states: "<i>Each party shall refrain from undertaking,
encouraging or participating in, directly or
indirectly, any action aimed at causing the
destruction of, or damage to, any nuclear
installation or facility in the other country</i>."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Article 2 is the one which has led to parties exchanging the list of such installation/ facility. It obligates India and Pakistan to exchange lists of the latitude and longitude of nuclear installations/ facilities on the 1st January of each calendar year and includes changes in the latitude/ longitude, perhaps covering extensions/ contractions of such installations/ facilities. The language used is: "<i>Each Contracting Party shall inform the other on
1st January of each calendar year of the latitude and
longitude of its nuclear installations and facilities and
whenever there is any change</i>."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Article 3 concerns ratification. It states: "<i>This Agreement is subject to ratification. It shall
come into force with effect from the date on which
the Instruments of Ratification are exchanged</i>." </p><p style="text-align: justify;">At the end of the Agreement, there is an interpretation clause. Although the Agreement is purported to be in Urdu, Hindi and English, it provides that the English text would govern in case of disputes in interpretation. It states: "<i>Done at Islamabad on this Thirty-first day of
December 1988, in, two copies each in Urdu, Hindi
and English, the English text being authentic in case
of any difference or dispute of interpretation</i>."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Non-Attack Agreement can be downloaded from <a href="https://www.nti.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/india_pakistan_non_attack_agreement.pdf">here</a>.</p>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-82279302612219835772023-12-08T07:30:00.002+05:302023-12-08T10:10:35.924+05:30Exploring Cox & Kings v SAP: Group of Companies Doctrine<p style="text-align: justify;">The five judge Bench's decision of the Supreme Court of India in <a href="https://main.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2020/21647/21647_2020_1_1501_48956_Judgement_06-Dec-2023.pdf">Cox & Kings v. SAP</a> 2023 INSC 1051 on the group of companies doctrine has been in the news since the decision was anncounced on 06.12.2023. Numerous articles/ posts have been written on it and we are not going to add one more to the list of such writings. Those who are yet to read the decision but do not have time can go to the end of this post, which quotes Para 165 of the decision, which summarises it. We highlight certain interesting things about the decision and the doctrine in this post.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Non-Signatory Should Have Intended to be Bound by the Arbitration Agreement</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The judgment takes specific note of the French position, as summarised in ICC
award in case No. 11405 of 2001 that it it must be shown that not only the party which seeks to make a non-signatory a party to the arbitration (or extend the arbitration agreement to such non-signatory) intended to extend the agreement to non-signatory; the non-signatory (as well as the signatory) intended to be bound by the arbitration clause. The portion of the ICC award which states so has been quoted by the Supreme Court and the quotation is reproduced below:</p><p style="text-align: justify;">“<i>[t]here is no general rule, in French international arbitration law, that
would provide that non-signatory parties members of a same group
of companies would be bound by an arbitration clause, whether
always or in determined circumstances. <b>What is relevant is whether
all parties intended non-signatory parties to be bound by the
arbitration clause. Not only the signatory parties, but also the non
signatory parties should have intended (or led the other parties to
reasonably believe that they intended) to be bound by the arbitration
clause</b></i>.” (emphasis added)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Swiss approach, analysed by the Supreme Court, also calls for "<i>valid manifestation of consent of the non-signatory party to the arbitration agreement</i>." (Para 47).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Court's analysis of the English position is interesting because it appears that English law favours the <a href="https://indiankanoon.org/doc/92712826/"><i>Chloro Controls</i>'</a> approach of extending the Group of Companies doctrine owing to the definition of "party" which also includes "claiming through or under". This approach has been rejected by the Supreme Court in <i>Cox & Kings</i>. And so this is a clear departure from English law. At the same time, while discussing <i>Dallah Real Estate</i>, the SCI quoted the following phrase of that judgment: “common intention of
the parties means their subjective intention derived from the objective
evidence.” How is this approach different from the French and the Swiss approach? </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>How to Establish Extension to Non-Signatory?</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">After discussing the French arbitration jurisprudence on the issue, the Supreme Court summarised the position by stating: "<i>The subjective intention of the parties is to be inferred on the basis of their
objective conduct during the negotiation, performance, and termination of the
underlying contract containing the arbitration agreement</i>." (Para 45).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The subjective intention is that all parties, including the non-signatory, should have intended or led other parties to believe they intended to be bound by the arbitration agreement. This subjective aspect could be established through objective conduct of the parties during negotiation, performance and termination of the contract containing the arbitration clause. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Swiss approach as analysed by the Supreme Court seems somewhat similar: "<i>the subjective
element of willingness to be bound by an arbitration agreement ought to be
expressed through an objective element in the form of negotiation or
performance of the contract</i>."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">So, the application for extending the arbitration agreement to non-signatory, in whichever stage of proceedings as may be moved, should specifically deal with these aspects- what was the conduct of the non-signatory during the process of negotiation, performance and termination of the contract?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Supreme Court ultimately favoured the criteria in the <i><a href="https://main.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2012/34026/34026_2012_4_1501_35431_Judgement_27-Apr-2022.pdf">Discovery Enterprises</a></i> judgment (Para 110), where it was stated:</p><p style="text-align: justify;">“<i>40. In deciding whether a company within a group of companies
which is not a signatory to arbitration agreement would nonetheless
be bound by it, the law considers the following factors:</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>i) The mutual intent of the parties; </i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>(ii) The relationship of a non-signatory to a party which is a signatory
to the agreement; </i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>(iii) The commonality of the subject-matter; </i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>(iv) The composite nature of the transactions; and </i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>(v) The performance of the contract</i>.”</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Young practitioners and law students may note that your application should contain specific averments on each of these aspects. Although this criteria seems general, the Supreme Court gave further clarity: "<i>In other words, the
group of companies doctrine is a means to infer the mutual intentions of both
the signatory and non-signatory parties to be bound by the arbitration
agreement</i>." (Para 111). So, while drafting the application, there must be averments which point out that the mutual intention of the signatory and its non-signatory party was to be bound by the arbitration agreement. This is the baseline and the burden is on the applicant who seeks to make the non-signatory be bound by the arbitration agreement (Para 111).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Note that mere commercial relationship between a party and the non-signatory affiliate that is a part of its group is not sufficient (Para 113). Likewise, liability cannot be imposed on a group company merely because it is a part of the party's group (Para 113), tight or otherwise. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Implied or tacit consent by the non-signatory group company will alone get the applicant to the finish line (Para 114). The SCI clarified while referring to the <i><a href="https://main.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2014/11020/11020_2014_6_1501_15918_Judgement_08-Aug-2019.pdf">Canara Bank</a></i> decision:</p><p style="text-align: justify;">"<i>In Canara Bank
(supra), this Court did not apply the group of companies doctrine solely on
the basis that the companies belonged to a single economic unit. Rather, it
was held that there was an implied or tacit consent by the non-signatory party
(CANFINA) to being impleaded in the arbitral proceedings</i>." </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>To Whom Should the Application be Made?</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Para 165(l) of the judgment notes: "<i>At the referral stage, the referral court should leave it for the arbitral tribunal to decide whether the non-signatory is bound by the arbitration agreement;</i>". This entails that a court hearing an application under Section 11 would, if the question is raised, let the tribunal decide it (provided other conditions for appointing the arbitrator are fulfilled). So, should the plea for including the non-signatory be raised at that time?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">On the one hand, it would be a waste to raise it before the court u/s 11 because the court would, in any case, let the tribunal decide. But it is possible that the tribunal could (although it shouldn't) state that it was not raised in Section 11 proceedings and that the appointment was only in respect of the dispute and the parties, as appointed by the Supreme Court. Therefore, it would be a prudent to include the non-signatory and the relevant pleadings on extending the agreement to non-signatory at the Section 11 stage itself and state in the application referring to this judgment that the question should be decided by the arbitrator, if the respondents objected to it. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Lack of Uniformity on Group of Companies Doctrine</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The judgment highlights the difference in approaches in jurisdictions on the applicability of the Group of Companies doctrine. Singapore, it appears, does not recognise this doctrine (para 54). France and Switzerland recognise it through objective tests. English law recognises it because "party" includes those claiming under such party. US employs non-consensual tests, such as alter ego, piercing the corporate veil, arbitral estoppel, etc. to extend the arbitration agreement to non-signatories. This, then is a ripe area for harmonisation. Shouldn't the UNCITRAL be working on this?<b> </b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Summary of the SC Decision in Cox & Kings: Para 165</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">"<i>165. In view of the discussion above, we arrive at the following conclusions: </i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>a. The definition of “parties” under Section 2(1)(h) read with Section 7 of the
Arbitration Act includes both the signatory as well as non-signatory parties; </i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>b. Conduct of the non-signatory parties could be an indicator of their consent
to be bound by the arbitration agreement; </i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>c. The requirement of a written arbitration agreement under Section 7 does
not exclude the possibility of binding non-signatory parties; </i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>d. Under the Arbitration Act, the concept of a “party” is distinct and different
from the concept of “persons claiming through or under” a party to the
arbitration agreement; </i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>e. The underlying basis for the application of the group of companies doctrine
rests on maintaining the corporate separateness of the group companies
while determining the common intention of the parties to bind the non
signatory party to the arbitration agreement; </i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>f.
The principle of alter ego or piercing the corporate veil cannot be the basis
for the application of the group of companies doctrine; </i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>g. The group of companies doctrine has an independent existence as a
principle of law which stems from a harmonious reading of Section 2(1)(h)
along with Section 7 of the Arbitration Act; </i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>h. To apply the group of companies doctrine, the courts or tribunals, as the
case may be, have to consider all the cumulative factors laid down in
Discovery Enterprises (supra). Resultantly, the principle of single
economic unit cannot be the sole basis for invoking the group of
companies doctrine;
i. The persons “claiming through or under” can only assert a right in a
derivative capacity; </i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>j. The approach of this Court in Chloro Controls (supra) to the extent that
it traced the group of companies doctrine to the phrase “claiming through
or under” is erroneous and against the well-established principles of
contract law and corporate law; </i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>k. The group of companies doctrine should be retained in the Indian
arbitration jurisprudence considering its utility in determining the intention
of the parties in the context of complex transactions involving multiple
parties and multiple agreements; </i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>l.
At the referral stage, the referral court should leave it for the arbitral
tribunal to decide whether the non-signatory is bound by the arbitration
agreement; and </i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>m. In the course of this judgment, any authoritative determination given by
this Court pertaining to the group of companies doctrine should not be interpreted to exclude the application of other doctrines and principles for
binding non-signatories to the arbitration agreement</i>."</p>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-39719311822293545442023-12-07T09:03:00.005+05:302023-12-07T09:03:52.046+05:30Should Nuclear Fusion Reactors be a part of Nuclear Fission Reactor Regulatory Regime? <p style="text-align: justify;">Nuclear energy generators and suppliers using the plank of climate change to promote nuclear energy as the solution and economies okaying such an approach. It looks like nuclear energy is here to stay and possible contribute significantly to the energy share of many countries. Given this fillip to nuclear energy, there is also bound to be increasing technological solutions in the sector. Two of them are noteworthy: one is the small and modular reactors which allow nuclear energy generation through smaller nuclear plants. Thes operate in a relatively smaller scale than conventional nuclear plants.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The other technological development in nuclear energy sector is fusion reactors. The core idea is that unlike in nuclear fission, where atom is split, in fusion, atoms are fused together. Both these processes release considerable energy. But with fusion, there seems to be a distinct advantage: it does not produce nuclear wastes like fission does. This is extremely important becuase one of the signficant problems with fission reactors is harmful radioactive waste and its disposal. The advantage of fusion reactors vis-a-vis fission and coal energy, as noted by the <a href="https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/what-is-nuclear-fusion">International Atomic Energy Agency</a>, is stated below: </p><p style="text-align: justify;">"<i>Fusion could generate four times more energy per kilogram of fuel than fission (used in nuclear power plants) and nearly four million times more energy than burning oil or coal</i>."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It appears that in fusion reactors, the chances of major industrial accidents are also minimal, as the IAEA notes. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Given these considerations several jurisdictions are adopting regulatory measures that are more liberalised as compared to the regulation of fission reactors, as <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/9f4b49c2-8379-4fa0-b18f-1fcb4519d01d">this Financial Times</a> article notes. For instance, in USA, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission opted for a less onerous regime for regulating fusion reactors. Details of key consdierations for NRC to opt for the less burdensome regime can be accessed from <a href="https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/news-and-insights/nrc-fusion-energy-nuclear-fission-regulation.html">here</a>. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">However, it appears that it might take at a <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-the-future-of-fusion-energy/">decade or two</a> for fusion reactors to be used in an industrial scale like fission reactors.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The FT articles notes that developments in UK on this: it appears that UK might opt for regulation of fusion industry not by the nuclear energy regulator but by the Environment regulator! To provide clarity of the regulatory regime, <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/52/enacted">the (UK) Energy Act, 2023</a> notes that the the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 would not apply to fusion reactors. Section 156 of the said law covers these aspects.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Earlier, in 2021, the European Union published <a href="https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/e1579af9-8d44-11ec-8c40-01aa75ed71a1/language-en">a study</a> on the regulation of fusion energy, which also proposed a separate regulatory regime for nuclear fusion.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It would be interesting to see how India plans to regulate nuclear fusion.</p>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-79984743707709448002023-12-06T07:22:00.004+05:302023-12-06T07:22:43.899+05:30Commercial Reservation of New York Convention in India & Latest Developments in India's International Investment Treaty Practice <p style="text-align: justify;">India was one of the founding signatories to the New York Convention, 1958, formally known as the Convention on Recognition & Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, 1958. The commercial reservation meant that the New York Convention insofar as applicable to India was only in respect of international commercial arbitration and not international investment arbitration.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This position was reiterated in Union of India vs. Vodafone Group Plc United Kingdom and Ors. (07.05.2018 - DELHC) : MANU/DE/1673/2018, where the Delhi High Court held:</p><p style="text-align: justify;">"<i>89. Also, though the BIPA constitutes an arbitration agreement between a private investor on the one side and the host State on the other, yet it is neither an International Commercial Arbitration governed by the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (hereinafter referred to as "Act, 1996") nor a domestic arbitration.</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>90. The Act, 1996 including Sections 5 and 45 thereof, do not apply proprio vigore to a BIPA...</i>" </p><p style="text-align: justify;">BIPA referenced here was the UK Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">There have been numerous papers, etc. written on the lack of enforcement mechanisms of BIT awards in India. The Model BIT addresses this issue by holding:</p><p style="text-align: justify;">"<i>27.5 A claim that is submitted to arbitration under this Article shall be considered to
arise out of a commercial relationship or transaction for purposes of Article I of
the New York Convention</i>."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This provision has now found its place in various BITs signed since 2015-2016. For instance, the <a href="https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/international-investment-agreements/treaty-files/5724/download">Belarus India BIT, 2018</a> states:</p><p style="text-align: justify;">"<i>27.5 A claim that is submitted to arbitration under this Chapter shall be
considered to arise out of a commercial relationship or transaction for
purposes of Article I of the New York Convention</i>."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Note that this BIT has been signed and is in force as well.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Similar provision exists in Article 27.5 of the <a href="https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/international-investment-agreements/treaties/bilateral-investment-treaties/4909/india---kyrgyzstan-bit-2019-" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left;">India Kyrgyzstan BIT (2019)</a> too, although it does not find any place in the Brazil India BIT, 2020 most likely because the Brazil India BIT does not provide for Investor-State Disputes. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Thus, it appears that India has now sought to address the problem of enforceability of the BIT awards through recognition that BITs are "commercial" transactions for the purpose of the New York Convention, thereby retaining the Commercial Reservation but also by providing that BIT awards would be enforceable under Part II of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, which deals with enforcement of foreign awards.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-35709763378462824162023-12-05T08:53:00.002+05:302023-12-05T08:53:56.627+05:30Climate Change, the Nuclear Turn & Legal Education in India<p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> In a surprising development post-<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushima_nuclear_accident">Fukushima</a>, the world has shunned its anti-nuclear energy image and has sought to encourage efforts at increase the share of nuclear power, in the background of mounting pressure to acheive <a href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/net-zero-coalition">Net Zero</a> by 2050.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The COP (the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (COP) saw significant calls for substantially increasing nuclear power, especially from <a href="https://netzeronuclear.org/Home/AboutUs">nuclear energy generators</a> and the International Atomic Energy Agency, which stated in COP28:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"></span></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">"<i>Studies confirm that the goal of global net zero carbon emissions can only be reached by 2050 with swift, sustained and significant investment in nuclear energy. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change see nuclear as important part of the solution to climate change and energy insecurity</i>."</span></div></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;">While there are several countries such as Germany, Australia, Austria, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, etc., that are markedly anti-nuclear, many other major countries such as India, China, USA, France, Russia, South Korea, Canada, etc. which <a href="https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/nuclear-power-in-the-world-today.aspx#:~:text=In%202022%20nuclear%20plants%20supplied,from%202653%20TWh%20in%202021.&text=Thirteen%20countries%20in%202022%20produced,get%20about%20half%20from%20nuclear.">produce nuclear power</a> and many of them are establishing <a href="https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/plans-for-new-reactors-worldwide.aspx">new nuclear plants</a>. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The idea of <a href="https://practicalacademic.blogspot.com/2023/07/small-modular-nuclear-reactors-in-india.html">Small Modular Reactors</a> has also emerged throughout the world. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Considering these developments, it would be important for Indian legal education to undertake the following:</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li>Commence legal education in nuclear energy law, both domestic and international;</li><li>Organise awareness programmes, conferences and credit courses on nuclear energy law;</li><li>Devote specific journal issues on nuclear energy law.</li><li>Devote signifcant resources for cutting edge research in nuclear energy law.</li></ul><div>There are many areas of law that are required to be explored vis-a-vis nuclear energy. These include climate change law, environmental law, contract law, insurance law, taxation, etc. Law and other Universities need to take up this issue in a major way.</div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"></span></div><p></p>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-85415582925103706112023-07-08T21:21:00.000+05:302023-07-08T21:21:37.370+05:30Small Modular Nuclear reactors in India: Liberalisation of Regime & Way Forward<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In the recent past, there has
been substantial developments in exploring the potential of Small Modular
Nuclear reactors (SMR) in India. NITI Aayog came up with a detailed publication
in May 2023 about SMRs in India titled "<i>The Role of Small Modular Reactors in the Energy Transition</i>" (download the study from <a href="https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-05/The-Role-of-Small-Modular-Reactors-in-the-Energy-Transition-05162023.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The first and the most important
regulatory stumbling block is the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, which prohibits the
private sector from commissioning nuclear reactors. <a href="https://www.indiacode.nic.in/show-data?actid=AC_CEN_38_63_00001_196233_1517807321654&sectionId=1346&sectionno=14&orderno=15" target="_blank">Section 14(1)</a> of the 1962
Act states:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">“<i>(1) The Central Government
may, subject to such rules as may be made in this behalf, by order prohibit
except under a licence granted by it—<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i>(i) the working of any mine or
minerals specified in the order, being a mine or minerals from which in the
opinion of the Central Government any of the prescribed substances can be
obtained;<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i>(ii) the acquisition,
production, possession, use, disposal, export or import—<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i>(a) of any of the prescribed
substances; or<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i>(b) of any minerals or other
substances specified in the rules, from which in the opinion of the Central
Government any of the prescribed substances can be obtained; or<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i>(c) of any plant designed or
adopted or manufactured for the production, development and use of atomic
energy or for research into matters connected therewith; or<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i>(d) of any prescribed
equipment</i>.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">A perusal of Section 14(1)(ii)(c)
seems to suggest that the Central Government could grant licence for the
acquisition, production, possession, use, disposal, export or import of any of
any plant designed or adopted or manufactured for the production, development
and use of atomic energy or for research. But this provision has to be read
together with <a href="https://www.indiacode.nic.in/show-data?actid=AC_CEN_38_63_00001_196233_1517807321654&sectionId=1346&sectionno=14&orderno=15" target="_blank">Section 14(1A)</a>, which states:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">“<i>[(1A) No licence under
sub-clause (c) of clause (ii) of sub-section (1) shall be granted to a person other
than a Department of the Central Government or any authority or an institution
or a corporation established by the Central Government, or a Government company</i>.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In other words, the Central
Government is barred from granting a licence to a person other than a Central
Government entity for this purpose. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">NITI Aayog has recommended in its
Report:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">“<i>With the advent of clean
energy transition, there has been a great thrust towards adopting cleaner
energy options to move towards the net zero emissions scenario by the
respective countries. Many nations have already declared their net zero
emissions targets. Apart from Renewable Energy (RE), nuclear is also being
explored as a clean energy option to help the nations in achieving their
decarbonization goals…</i>" (p. 2)<i><o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i>SMR industry needs to find its
way through early challenges of technology demonstration, special material availability,
special manufacturing techniques, project funding requirements and regulatory
harmonization. Given such challenges and the need to grow SMR industry for
achieving long-term Net-zero goals, it is essential to establish SMR ecosystem</i>.” (p. 5).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">About fifteen years back, there were news reports that India would open up nuclear energy for private participation in producing nuclear power. See, for example, <a href="https://www.livemint.com/Companies/tX1UwhH7AdBDTiLevMJ2dN/India-may-open-nuclear-power-to-private-firms.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Somehow, that did not happen. See, <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/no-nuclear-power-plants-for-pvt-cos-till-2020/articleshow/4129461.cms" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">But for these to happen now as envisaged in the NITI Aayog report, the first step would be to amend these provisions to allow participation of private players in SMRs.</p>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-65382783984314832362023-06-20T22:34:00.002+05:302023-06-20T22:34:08.168+05:30Call for Papers: Trade, Law & Development<p> <b style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Trade, Law </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Cochin LT Italic"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: center;">and </span><b style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Development</span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 111.0pt; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 115%;">Call for Submissions <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 111.0pt; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: 111.0pt; text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 15.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">General Issue<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 111.0pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Issue 15.2| Winter’ 23<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 111.0pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 111.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Founded
in 2009, the philosophy of Trade, Law and Development (TL&D) has been to
generate and sustain a constructive and democratic debate on emergent issues in
international economic law and to serve as a forum for the discussion and
distribution of ideas. Towards these ends, the Journal has published works by
noted scholars such as the WTO DDG Yonov F. Agah, Dr. (Prof.) Ernst Ulrich
Petersmann, Prof. Steve Charnovitz, Prof. Petros Mavroidis, Prof. Mitsuo
Matsuhita, Prof. Raj Bhala, Prof. Joel Trachtman, Dr. (Prof.) Gabrielle
Marceau, Prof. Simon Lester, Prof. Bryan Mercurio, and Prof. M. Sornarajah
among others. TL&D also has the distinction of being ranked the best
journal in India across all fields of law for several years by Washington and
Lee University, School of Law. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 111.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Accordingly,
the Board of Editors of TL&D is pleased to invite original, unpublished
manuscripts for publication in the Special Issue of the Journal (Vol. XV, No. 2)
in the form of ‘Articles’, ‘Notes’, ‘Comments’ and ‘Book Reviews’. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 111.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">Manuscripts received by August 05, 2023, pertaining to
any area within the purview of international economic law will be reviewed for
publication in the Winter’22 issue.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 111.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Manuscripts
may be submitted via e-mail or via the Journal’s website </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.tradelawdevelopment.com/index.php/tld/about/submissions"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">here</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">.
For further information about the Journal, please click </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.tradelawdevelopment.com/index.php/tld/about/submissions"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">here</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">.
For submission guidelines, please click </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.tradelawdevelopment.com/index.php/tld/about/submissions"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">here</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">.
In case of any queries, please feel free to contact us at:
editors[at]tradelawdevelopment[dot]com.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 111.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 111.0pt; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 115%;">Last Date for
Submissions: August 05, 2023<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #C00000 2.25pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm;">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #C00000 2.25pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm; tab-stops: 111.0pt; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"> </span></b></p>
</div>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: 111.0pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 22.7pt; margin-right: 22.7pt; margin-top: 0cm; tab-stops: 111.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">PATRON</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Garamond",serif;">: P.P. Saxena | <b>ADVISORS</b>:
Raj Bhala | Jagdish Bhagwati | B.S. Chimni | Glenn Wiser | Daniel B. Magraw,
Jr. | Vaughan Lowe | Ricardo Ramirez Hernandez | W. Michael Reisman | M.
Sornarajah | <b>FACULTY-IN-CHARGE</b>: Dr. Rosmy Joan | <b>BOARD OF EDITORS</b>:
Ananya Awasthi | Ria Chaudhary | Priyanshu Shrivastava| Simran Bherwani| Sunchit
Sethi| Shiva Patil| Anoushka| Chathurya Srinivasan| Himanshu Sharma| Nivedita
Sharma| Alka Mahapatra | Anandita Srivastava | Ishaan Pant | Krishna Ravishankar
| Nalin Agnihotri|Neel Rao | Samiksha Lohia | Shambhavi Uniyal | Sonali P. Raju
| Aastha Gupta | Akanksha Samantray | Ansh Sethi | Bianca Bhardwaj | Manvi
Goyal | Nandini Tripathi | Thejas Velaga| Y. Leela Krishna Reddy | Yug Gandhi<o:p></o:p></span></p>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-66685439721258964492023-04-26T00:30:00.005+05:302023-04-26T10:37:48.647+05:30Conclusions of the Five Judge Bench in NN Global Mercantile Pvt. Ltd. v. Indo Unique Flame Ltd.<p style="text-align: justify;"> Finally, the decision of the Five Judge Bench in NN Global Mercantile Pvt. Ltd. v. Indo Unique Flame Ltd. (25.04.2023: SCI) is out and can be accessed from <a href="https://main.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2020/23926/23926_2020_3_1501_44044_Judgement_25-Apr-2023.pdf">here</a>. This post provides a quick read of the summary of the decision as encapsulated in the conclusion of Justice KM Joseph's judgment (p. 1 to 140 of the pdf), quoted below. Justice KM Joseph on his behalf and on behalf of Justice Aniruddha Bose, penned the majority opinion. The dissenting views were expressed by Ajay Rastogi, J. (p. 141- 201 of the pdf file) and Hrishikesh
Roy, J. (p. 202-279 of the pdf file). Justice CT Ravikumar gave an opinion concurring with Justice KM Joseph (p. 280- 298 of the pdf file). </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Justice Joseph's conclusions are reproduced below:</p><p style="text-align: justify;">"109. The view taken in SMS Tea Estates (supra) as
followed in Garware (supra) and by the Bench in
Dharmaratnakara Rai Bahadur Arcot Narainswamy Mudaliar
Chattram and other Charities v. Bhaskar Raju and
Brothers and others36 as to the effect of an unstamped
contract containing an Arbitration Agreement and the
steps to be taken by the Court, represent the correct
position in law as explained by us hereinbefore. N.N.
Global (supra) was wrongly decided, when it held to the
contrary and overruled SMS Tea Estates (supra) and
Garware (supra). </p><p style="text-align: justify;">110. An instrument, which is exigible to stamp
duty, may contain an Arbitration Clause and which is
not stamped, cannot be said to be a contract, which is
enforceable in law within the meaning of Section 2(h) of the Contract Act and is not enforceable under
Section 2(g) of the Contract Act. An unstamped
instrument, when it is required to be stamped, being
not a contract and not enforceable in law, cannot,
therefore, exist in law. Therefore, we approve of
paragraphs-22 and 29 of Garware (supra). To this
extent, we also approve of Vidya Drolia (supra),
insofar as the reasoning in paragraphs-22 and 29 of
Garware (supra) is approved. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">111. The true intention behind the insertion of
Section 11(6A) in the Act was to confine the Court,
acting under Section 11, to examine and ascertain about
the existence of an Arbitration Agreement. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">112. The Scheme permits the Court, under Section 11
of the Act, acting on the basis of the original
agreement or on a certified copy. The certified copy
must, however, clearly indicate the stamp duty paid as
held in SMS Tea Estates (supra). If it does not do so,
the Court should not act on such a certified copy. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">113. If the original of the instrument is produced
and it is unstamped, the Court, acting under Section 11, is duty-bound to act under Section 33 of the Stamp
Act as explained hereinbefore. When it does so,
needless to say, the other provisions, which, in the
case of the payment of the duty and penalty would
culminate in the certificate under Section 42(2) of the
Stamp Act, would also apply. When such a stage arises,
the Court will be free to process the Application as
per law. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">114. An Arbitration Agreement, within the meaning
of Section 7 of the Act, which attracts stamp duty and
which is not stamped or insufficiently stamped, cannot
be acted upon, in view of Section 35 of the Stamp Act,
unless following impounding and payment of the
requisite duty, necessary certificate is provided under
Section 42 of the Stamp Act. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">115. We further hold that the provisions of
Sections 33 and the bar under Section 35 of the Stamp
Act, applicable to instruments chargeable to stamp duty
under Section 3 read with the Schedule to the Stamp
Act, would render the Arbitration Agreement contained
in such instrument as being non-existent in law unless
the instrument is validated under the Stamp Act. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">116. In a given case, the Court has power under
paragraph-5 of the Scheme, to seek information from a
party, even in regard to stamp duty.
117. We make it clear that we have not pronounced
on the matter with reference to Section 9 of the Act.
The reference to the Constitution Bench shall stand
answered accordingly..."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Happy reading!</p>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-66472094942790374702023-04-20T21:38:00.004+05:302023-04-20T21:38:56.354+05:30International Arbitration Practice: Mistakes to Avoid While Drafting Arbitration Agreements/ Pathological Arbitration Clauses (Lecture 2)<p> This is the edited script of Lecture 2 of the Lecture Series on International Arbitration Practice. The lecture series can be accessed from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjVkKyu_aKYggJJMlFTVT_jj" target="_blank">here</a>: </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xc7X85sX5pE" width="460" youtube-src-id="Xc7X85sX5pE"></iframe></div><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This 2<sup>nd</sup> lecture of
the lecture series on Introduction to International Arbitration Practice is
titled Mistakes to Avoid While Drafting Arbitration Agreements a.k.a.
Pathological Arbitration Clauses”. Pardon the lengthy title. Those who watched
the first lecture might be wondering where “arbitration practice” was in it.
Let me assure you: this course would not teach arbitration theory. But some
theoretical discussion explaining key concepts and doctrines act as a
springboard to understand practical aspects. For example, we discussed in the
first lecture about the ingredients of an arbitration agreement as per the
UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration, 1985 and the
Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. One of the ingredients was that there
should be a reference to arbitration. In other words, an agreement to
constitute an arbitration agreement should provide that disputes that may arise
would be referred to arbitration. In other words, the agreement should provide
for reference of disputes to arbitration in order to call it an arbitration
agreement. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In this lecture, we will see that
if an agreement provides arbitration as an option for both parties to agree to
refer disputes, such an agreement is not an arbitration agreement although
parties might have, at the time of entering into the agreement, had that in
their minds. Such clauses which although purport to be arbitration clauses have
some defects that are grounds for not calling them as arbitration clauses are
known in arbitration parlance as “pathological” arbitration clauses. In other words, a pathological arbitration
clause is a Defective or badly drafted arbitration clause. So, in order to
discuss the common mistakes while drafting arbitration agreements, that is,
pathological arbitration clauses, the theoretical prelude was necessary. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In this lecture and the next few,
we will discuss some common mistakes parties make while drafting arbitration
clauses. Arbitration practice is not only about representing parties in
arbitrations but also about advising parties to draft proper arbitration
agreements. In India, like in many other countries, this aspect of law practice
is largely ignored. Through this lecture, we bring to the attention of lawyers
about the importance of drafting good arbitration clauses. Before embarking on
the exercise as to how to draft arbitration clauses, it would be better to
understand how not to draft arbitration clauses, now that we are well-aware of
what is meant by arbitration agreements from the first lecture in the lecture
series. For your convenience, we have provided the link to the first lecture in
the description to this video.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Coming back to the topic of
pathological arbitration clauses, the term “pathological” was used in this
context by Frederic Eisemann in 1974 and thereafter, the phrase has become quite
popular in international arbitration parlance. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Courts have addressed
pathological arbitration clauses with a set of tools, mainly with the intent of
enforcing arbitration clauses, known popularly in arbitration parlance as
pro-arbitration approach. Courts have generally been liberal in addressing such
clauses, that is, resolving it in favour of referring them to arbitration,
rather than rejecting reference, unless the clause in question cannot satisfy
the ingredients of what constitutes an arbitration agreement. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Now, you might wonder, why should
I know about this topic? Why can’t this guy straightaway talk about invoking
arbitration, pleadings, evidence, etc.? Well, a pathological arbitration clause
may have huge consequences on enforceability of arbitral awards, and may entail
substantial costs and efforts to be expended by your client. A badly drafted
arbitration clause may ruin your reputation as a lawyer. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">So, be very very careful-
drafting arbitration clauses might sound simple but when you see the
pathological arbitration clauses, you might wonder: how did this happen?! Without
spending much time “about” pathological clauses, we will straightaway deal
“with” such clauses.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Let us consider the below clause.
<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">“<i>30.2 In case of such failure,
the dispute shall be referred to sole arbitrator to be mutually agreed upon by
the Parties. In case the Parties are not able to arrive at such an arbitrator,
the arbitrator appointed shall be appointed in accordance with the rules of
arbitration of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce</i>.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Please pause the video and find out
what’s wrong with this clause. On the first reading, you will ask: what is
wrong with this clause? The clause seems to be fine. But on a closer reading
and with a search engine, you will notice that there is no such institution
called Singapore Chamber of Commerce. The parties here possibly got confused
between the International Chamber of Commerce and the Singapore International
Arbitration Centre.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">So, this is a type of defect
where parties agree to refer the dispute to a non-existent arbitral
institution. If there is no such institution, how can the arbitration be
conducted as per the rules of the non-existent institution? I will underline
the defective portion for your convenience. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">“<i>30.2 In case of such failure,
the dispute shall be referred to sole arbitrator to be mutually agreed upon by
the Parties. In case the Parties are not able to arrive at such an arbitrator,
the arbitrator appointed shall be appointed in accordance with the <b><u>rules
of arbitration of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce</u></b></i>.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">You might be wondering if this
fact situation we discussed was real. This arose in the case of Pricol Ltd. v.
Johnson Controls Enterprises Ltd., a decision of the Supreme Court of India in
2014, which arose out of a joint venture agreement between the said parties. We
have provided the link to this decision in the lecture’s description. So the
lesson that we learn is if you are opting for institutional arbitration, make
sure that you refer to the institution’s name correctly.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This defect typically takes place
when non-lawyers negotiate the arbitration clause. Nevertheless, such defects
are common. For those supremely confident lawyers, let me tell you about this
transaction, from a Press Release dated about ten years ago, that is, 27 March
2012.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">“<i>Johnson Controls, a global
leader in automotive seating, overhead systems, door and instrument panels, and
interior electronics, has formed a joint venture with Pricol Limited, a leading
supplier of automotive instrument clusters in India… <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i>About Johnson Controls:<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i>Johnson Controls is a global
diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150
countries. Our 162,000 employees create quality products, services and
solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings;
lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric
vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our commitment to
sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first
electric room thermostat… <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i>…<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i>About Pricol:<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i>Pricol, which started its
operations 35 years ago, is a well-known name in the Indian automotive
component sector. Over the last 25 years, Pricol has been a leading supplier of
automotive instrument clusters for two wheelers, cars, trucks and tractors in
India. The company supports automakers and after-market customers across
Europe, America, Middle East and Australasia and supplies instruments and other
products including sensors, oil pumps, chain tensioners, fleet management
solution products…</i>”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Apologies for the lengthy quote.
I am not trying to consume your time with an unnecessary quote but to drive
home the point that such drafting defects take place even when global and
well-experienced companies or sophisticated parties are involved in a
transaction, which was probably drafted with legal advice. Link to the complete
press release is provided in the link to the description below. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">More on pathological arbitration
clauses in the next lecture. <span lang="ES">Till
then, <i>adios</i> y <i>hasta luego</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">References:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 1: Introduction to
Arbitration Agreements, <a href="https://youtu.be/Q4MXe7Z__d4">https://youtu.be/Q4MXe7Z__d4</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Pricol Limited v. Johnson
Controls Enterprise Ltd (SCI: 2014), <a href="https://indiankanoon.org/doc/168474344/">https://indiankanoon.org/doc/168474344/</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Press Release, Johnson Controls
and Pricol Establish Joint Venture for Indian Automotive Market (27 March
2012), <a href="https://investors.johnsoncontrols.com/news-and-events/press-releases/johnson-controls-inc/2012/27-03-2012">https://investors.johnsoncontrols.com/news-and-events/press-releases/johnson-controls-inc/2012/27-03-2012</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-66034752234986342692023-04-18T07:41:00.006+05:302023-04-18T07:41:54.784+05:30International Arbitration Practice: Introduction to Arbitration Agreements (Lecture 1)<p style="text-align: justify;">We have been doing video lectures on international arbitration practice, which can be accessed from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjVkKyu_aKYggJJMlFTVT_jj" target="_blank">here</a>. Thirty one lectures have been uploaded so far covering various aspects including drafting arbitration agreements in commercial arbitrations, invoking arbitration in commercial and investment treaty arbitrations. In this post and the next few in this series, we provide the script of these lectures, starting from lecture 1.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="309" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q4MXe7Z__d4" width="448" youtube-src-id="Q4MXe7Z__d4"></iframe></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Welcome to the 1<sup>st</sup>
lecture in this lecture series titled “Introduction to International
Arbitration Practice”. This lecture series will focus on the practical elements
of international commercial and investment treaty arbitration. The first lecture
in this lecture series will deal with Arbitration Agreements. The focus will be
on commercial arbitration agreements.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Most of us are familiar with
arbitration agreements. They are, in simple, agreement to refer disputes to
arbitration, rather than resolving disputes through other forums. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Such agreements could be entered
into for disputes that may arise in future or once a dispute has arisen. Article
7(1) of the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration, 1985
states in this regard: “<i>An arbitration agreement may be in the form of an
arbitration clause in a contract or in the form of a separate agreement</i>.”
An identical provision is also contain in Section 7(2) of India’s Arbitration
and Conciliation Act, 1996.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Arbitration agreements can be
either in the form of arbitration clauses forming a part of an agreement (also
called “arbitration clause”) or in the form of separate arbitration agreements
(called in arbitration parlance as “submission agreements”). Arbitration
clauses are usually part of an agreement. Here the agreement precedes the
dispute.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Submission agreements are
agreements for reference of disputes to arbitration. Usually, submission
agreements are entered into after disputes arises and arbitration clauses refer
future disputes to arbitration. It is possible that submission agreements could
replace prior arbitration agreements as well.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Now, which one is better? Arbitration
clause or submission agreement, you may ask. The answer is: it depends. But
there are two factors you should consider: <span style="text-indent: -18pt;">One, it is very difficult for parties to reach a
submission agreement after a dispute has arisen. Two, t</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">he time between entering into an arbitration
agreement in the main agreement and when dispute arises might be long; and by
the time dispute has arisen, the arbitration agreement may not be suitable</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">for resolving that dispute.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Parties therefore opt for the
lesser evil and take the risk of providing for resolution of future disputes
through the arbitration clause. This is because if no arbitration is agreed
upon, parties may have to choose to litigate in the local courts which may not
be desirable for various reasons, including non-flexible procedures,
formalities, lengthy proceedings, etc.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Whatever may be the case, an
arbitration agreement has to satisfy the formal criterial laid down in the
relevant law. We will now discuss what the Indian law on this is.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Arbitration & Conciliation
Act, 1996 (“1996 Act”)- contains different treatment for different types of
arbitration agreements. Part I and Part II of the 1996 Act contain two
different types of definition. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Part I of the Act is applicable
where the place of arbitration is India. S. 2(1)(b) states: “<i>(b)
“arbitration agreement” means an agreement referred to in section 7</i>;”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">S. 7(1) states: “<b><i><u>In this Part</u></i></b><i>,
“arbitration agreement” means an agreement by the parties to submit to
arbitration all or certain disputes which have arisen or which may arise
between them in respect of a defined legal relationship, whether contractual or
not</i>.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Thus, three main ingredients are
to be satisfied:<br /></p><ul><li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">There should be an “agreement by the parties”:
Parties is defined in S. 2(1)(h): “</span><i style="text-indent: -18pt;">(h) “party” means a party to an
arbitration agreement</i><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">.”</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">The agreement should be “to submit to
arbitration”; and</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">The submission for arbitration should be for
disputes in respect of defined legal relationship.</span></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The expression defined legal
relationship has been explained in the case of <a href="https://indiankanoon.org/doc/121987320/" target="_blank">Vidya Drolia v. Durga TradingCorpn</a>., (2021) 2 SCC 1, where the Supreme Court held in Para 24: “<i>24. … The
expression “legal relationship”, again not defined in the Arbitration Act,
means a relationship which gives rise to legal obligations and duties and,
therefore, confers a right</i>.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Section 7(3) states that
arbitration agreement shall be in writing. So does Article 7(2) of the Model
Law.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Now, we make a brief detour on
the separability doctrine, to the extent useful from a practical perspective.
In simple, separability doctrine enables the arbitration clause to be treated
separately from the main agreement, although it forms a part of the said main
agreement. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The concept of separability
provides doctrinal justification to afford jurisdiction to the arbitral
tribunal to decide even on questions relating to the validity of the
arbitration clause, rather than going to court for decision on such questions.
Article 16(1) of the Model Law recognises this and reads: <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> “<i>(1) The arbitral tribunal may rule on its own
jurisdiction, including any objections with respect to the existence or
validity of the arbitration agreement.
For that purpose, an arbitration clause which forms part of a contract shall be
treated as an agreement independent of the other terms of the contract. A
decision by the arbitral tribunal that the contract is null and void shall not
entail ipso jure the invalidity of the arbitration clause</i>.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This has been incorporated in the
1996 Act in Section 16(1), which reads:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">“<i>(1) The arbitral tribunal may
rule on its own jurisdiction, including ruling on any objections with respect
to the existence or validity of the arbitration agreement, and for that
purpose,—<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i>(a) an arbitration clause
which forms part of a contract shall be treated as an agreement independent of
the other terms of the contract; and<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i>(b) a decision by the arbitral
tribunal that the contract is null and void shall not entail ipso jure the
invalidity of the arbitration clause</i>.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The separability doctrine also
operates in submission agreements but differently. This has been discussed in
the US Supreme Court decision of <a href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/561/63/" target="_blank">Rent-A-Center, W., Inc. v. Jackson, 561 US63 (2010)</a> where it was held:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Application of separability doctrine does not
depend on the nature of the remaining portion of the agreement</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Therefore, it applies even to submission
agreements</span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">“delegation” provision contained within an
arbitration agreement, providing for resolution of any disputes about the
validity or scope of the arbitration agreement by the arbitral tribunal, was
itself separable from the more general arbitration agreement</span></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">It was therefore held by the US
Supreme Court: “<i>In this case, the underlying contract is itself an
arbitration agreement. But that makes no difference. Application of the
severability rule does not depend on the substance of the remainder of the
contract</i>.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">That’s all in this lecture. In
the next lecture we will deal with an interesting topic, which has immense
practical significance for drafting arbitration agreements. <o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Hope you enjoyed this first lecture
of the lecture series. Do write to <a href="mailto:lawbadri@gmail.com">lawbadri@gmail.com</a>
for feedback and comments. Bye bye and stay safe.<o:p></o:p></p>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-87142711449579612832022-01-29T14:38:00.001+05:302022-01-29T15:53:38.163+05:30Slides of the Lecture Series on Introduction to International Law<p style="text-align: justify;">In the <a href="https://practicalacademic.blogspot.com/2022/01/lecture-series-on-introduction-to.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>, we had listed out the lectures in the introductory lecture series on international investment law. We have been getting comments from many who have been watching those videos to post the content in a text document. Owing to constraints of time, we are not able to do so now. But, those interested can access the slides that were used for recording the videos. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Links to these slides are given below (click on "<b>link to the Slides</b>" given against each Chapter.):</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Chapter 0: Overview of Lectures: Lecture 0 (<a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1eIxuIIVsTC_mcYbuuZjM20KSyixEOw3R/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102151753336716892926&rtpof=true&sd=true" target="_blank">link to the Slides</a>)</b></p><b>Chapter I: History & Nature of International Investment Law: Lectures 1 to 5 <span style="text-align: justify;">(</span><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/16KWOHcnF0Qm74Pp6NB1oslcxpvBqv27e/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102151753336716892926&rtpof=true&sd=true" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">link to the Slides</a><span style="text-align: justify;">)</span></b><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Lecture 1: <a href="https://youtu.be/_x57zCsHOxU?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Origins of International Investment Law before 1870</a> (click on the lecture name)</li><li>Lecture 2: <a href="https://youtu.be/HLGpOa_KHnQ?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">More About Origins & A Bit about Phase I</a></li><li>Lecture 3: <a href="https://youtu.be/Ybb81eNYB-I?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Inter-War Period & Evolution Thereafter</a></li><li>Lecture 4: <a href="https://youtu.be/eOO85RTmH_Q?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">The Era of Dichotomy</a></li><li>Lecture 5: <a href="https://youtu.be/wkfvLVvqDko?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">The Eras of Proliferation and Reorientation</a></li></ul><div><b>Chapter II: Investment Treaty/ Contract: Lectures 6 to 14 <span style="text-align: justify;">(</span><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1iH-045kiTTeV2aHyiaA5mNzsCTk03B6J/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102151753336716892926&rtpof=true&sd=true" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">link to the Slides</a><span style="text-align: justify;">)</span></b><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Lecture 6: <a href="https://youtu.be/NOT3LE3rS-o?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Nature of Foreign Investment</a></li><li>Lecture 7: <a href="https://youtu.be/XpfOz5JlMio?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">What is Investment?</a></li><li>Lecture 8: <a href="https://youtu.be/XdD8lqpeRFU?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">What is Investment? Part II</a></li><li>Lecture 9: <a href="https://youtu.be/hx5fcltYfFM?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Who is an Investor?</a></li><li>Lecture 10: <a href="https://youtu.be/RNyTFbZfTeI?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Natural Persons as Investors</a></li><li>Lecture 11: <a href="https://youtu.be/yA6UPLhyH4g?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Legal Persons as Investors</a></li><li>Lecture 12: <a href="https://youtu.be/SWN-ki5OsPQ?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Who is an Investor? Treaty Shopping</a></li><li>Lecture 13: <a href="https://youtu.be/gdEqn3WdzvE?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Shareholders as Investors</a></li><li>Lecture 14: <a href="https://youtu.be/T6SWRzoVQwY?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Elements of an Investment Treaty</a></li></ul><p><b>Chapter III: Substantive Standards I: Lectures 15 to 27 </b><b><span style="text-align: justify;">(</span><a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1EudiCe_V8ugkdclQ3prqvFJ4MIR5ZMu0/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102151753336716892926&rtpof=true&sd=true" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">link to the Slides</a><span style="text-align: justify;">)</span></b><br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Lecture 15: <a href="https://youtu.be/eMc7CtyDfrE?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Fair & Equitable Treatment: An Introduction</a></li><li>Lecture 16: <a href="https://youtu.be/B3ayVJrUfhQ?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" style="color: #3778cd; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Fair & Equitable Treatment: Preliminary Aspects</a></li><li>Lecture 17: <a href="https://youtu.be/1TYNpKBbBfw?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" style="color: #3778cd; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">More on Fair and Equitable Standards</a></li><li>Lecture 18: <a href="https://youtu.be/CJlDUCXucMw?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" style="color: #3778cd; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">India and the FET Standard</a></li><li>Lecture 19: <a href="https://youtu.be/7e1RwW4cn_s?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" style="color: #3778cd; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Introduction to Full Protection and Security Standard</a></li><li>Lecture 20: <a href="https://youtu.be/wOFivm09pk8?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" style="color: #3778cd; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">More on Full Protection and Security Standard</a></li><li>Lecture 21: <a href="https://youtu.be/t-wXfvyP58s?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" style="color: #3778cd; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Full Protection & Security in LDA v India Arbitration</a></li><li>Lecture 22: <a href="https://youtu.be/85H2HPm_6MI?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" style="color: #3778cd; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Non-Impairment Standard: An Introduction</a></li><li>Lecture 23: <a href="https://youtu.be/Pn_6M2F0R7o?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" style="color: #3778cd; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">More on the Non-Impairment Standard</a></li><li>Lecture 24: <a href="https://youtu.be/Jrm0uxldFyo?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" style="color: #3778cd; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Umbrella Clause</a></li><li>Lecture 25: <a href="https://youtu.be/NGzD6IJnfUk?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" style="color: #3778cd; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">More on the Umbrella Clause</a></li><li>Lecture 26: <a href="https://youtu.be/P0AgjZDotAk?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" style="color: #3778cd; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Approaches to the Umbrella Clause</a></li><li>Lecture 27: <a href="https://youtu.be/E0nTMRstCzs?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" style="color: #3778cd; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Nissan v India and the Umbrella Clause</a></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p><b>Chapter IV: Substantive Standards of Protection II: Lectures 28 to 44 (<a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ipx-jBtA0VtVUjYv3KIwcUYMXdN5F5ks/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102151753336716892926&rtpof=true&sd=true">link to the Slides</a>)</b><br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Lecture 28: <a href="https://youtu.be/Yv27AhvpAhQ?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Most Favoured Nation Standard</a></li><li>Lecture 29: <a href="https://youtu.be/O9gI414mimE?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">More on the MFN Standard</a></li><li>Lecture 30: <a href="https://youtu.be/uoXYNuQC8LQ?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">MFN & Procedural Rules</a></li><li>Lecture 31: <a href="https://youtu.be/Xz1yXkdaCXQ?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">National Treatment</a></li><li>Lecture 32: <a href="https://youtu.be/XtVkCva3nxU?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">More on National Treatment</a></li><li>Lecture 33: <a href="https://youtu.be/qnUU39Vcxz0?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Some Features of National Treatment & the LDA Award</a></li><li>Lecture 34: <a href="https://youtu.be/TobMD7F_WLQ?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Expropriation</a></li><li>Lecture 35: <a href="https://youtu.be/6pGjimD2Olo?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Direct and Indirect Expropriation</a></li><li>Lecture 36: <a href="https://youtu.be/6biwP5Ycrko?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Ingredients of Indirect Expropriation</a></li><li>Lecture 37: <a href="https://youtu.be/C0zBk3HeP6A?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Indirect Expropriation: Some More Examples</a></li><li>Lecture 38: <a href="https://youtu.be/9aTOwbixLjc?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Compensation for Expropriation</a></li><li>Lecture 39: <a href="https://youtu.be/fWFQCeTg5jc?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">More on Compensation for Expropriation</a></li><li>Lecture 40: <a href="https://youtu.be/VAA8dmeLs6s?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Some More on Compensation for Expropriation</a></li><li>Lecture 41: <a href="https://youtu.be/9GO_xM0bcX0?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Use of DCF Methodology</a></li><li>Lecture 44: <a href="https://youtu.be/KD7f1835j5s?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Moral Damages in International Investment Law</a></li></ul><p></p><p><b>Chapter V: Dispute Resolution in International Investment Law: Lectures 45 to 49 (<a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1vbFZ4LgmTfS-a79b_g4Q41Pa8iSQNjim/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102151753336716892926&rtpof=true&sd=true">link to the Slides</a>)</b><br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Lecture 45: <a href="https://youtu.be/HPatdLaX0sQ?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Dispute Resolution in BITs</a></li><li>Lecture 46: <a href="https://youtu.be/Ji2E1xKhS-U?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Recent Trends in Dispute Resolution: Brazil India BIT 2020</a></li><li>Lecture 47: <a href="https://youtu.be/HvbFUkSGsdc?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Local Exhaustion</a></li><li>Lecture 48: <a href="https://youtu.be/q1J5H-LIAZo?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Local Exhaustion II</a></li><li>Lecture 49: <a href="https://youtu.be/pFX97C7gKXg?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">A Bit More on ELR</a></li></ul><p><b>Chapter VI: Recent Developments & Concluding Observations: Lectures 42-43 & 50 (<a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1uLGLMpKcFLMjyIs7L20WKEJYF6JJMXWr/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102151753336716892926&rtpof=true&sd=true" target="_blank">link to the Slides</a>)</b><br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Lecture 42: <a href="https://youtu.be/6_0CtC2FAx4?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Comment on the 10th Report of the Committee of External Affairs (2020-2021)- Part I</a></li><li>Lecture 43: <a href="https://youtu.be/mVKxbxcHTqI?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Comment on the 10th Report of the Committee of External Affairs (2020-2021)- Part II</a></li><li>Lecture 50: <a href="https://youtu.be/GHpi7xoEeKc?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Recent Developments & Concluding Observations</a></li></ul><p></p><p>Happy Reading!</p></div></div>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-37247613520423776412022-01-14T22:36:00.005+05:302022-01-15T08:36:49.762+05:30Lecture Series on Introduction to International Investment Law: (Lectures 1 to 50: Complete Lectures)<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On 20 March 2021, almost ten months back, we began a lecture series introducing the topic of international investment law. With the 50th and the last lecture uploaded on 14 January 2022, we complete this introductory lecture series on international investment law.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The objective behind this lecture series was to provide a set of simple lectures on the subject, given the lack of openly accessible materials on the subject. Most law schools in India do not teach this important subject. With these lectures freely accessible, no law student in India, for that matter, no student anywhere in the world, will have problem understanding the basics of international investment law. All one needs is a decent internet connection and a smart phone or a laptop. The links provided in the description constitute important materials regarding the topics discussed there. Most of the materials referred to in these lectures are also openly accessible.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This post provides an overview of the complete set of lectures and draws from content provided in two previous posts (<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/2/blog/post/edit/6685096796297650696/3724761352042377641#">here</a> and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/2/blog/post/edit/6685096796297650696/3724761352042377641#">here</a>) of this blog. The Playlist of the lectures can be accessed from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">here</a>. Link to each lecture is provided below:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chapter I : History
& Nature of International Investment Law</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 1: <a href="https://youtu.be/_x57zCsHOxU?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Origins of International Investment Law before 1870</a> (click
on the lecture name)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Historically, International Investment Law has evolved in
three distinct phases in the modern history: Phase I is the period from 1870 to
1914; Phase II is the inter-war period, between 1918 to1945, and phase III is
the post-war period, beginning from 1945. But, even before the first phase
(1870), certain developments in international politics have had influence in
the evolution of IIL. This lecture deals with those developments.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 2: <a href="https://youtu.be/HLGpOa_KHnQ?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">More About Origins & A Bit about Phase I</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In this lecture we delve into the evolution of IIL in the
first phase that is, between 1870 and 1914. But before we go further, those
watching may refer to two interesting papers on the origins before 1870, one by
Kate Miles, the author of the book which we referred to in last lecture, and
the other by Anne-Charlotte Martineau.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 3: <a href="https://youtu.be/Ybb81eNYB-I?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Inter-War Period & Evolution Thereafter</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Evolution of International Investment Law during the
inter-war period, between 1914 and 1945, and during the post-II world war phase
till 1964.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 4: <a href="https://youtu.be/eOO85RTmH_Q?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">The Era of Dichotomy</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In the last lecture, we saw that there are four phases
through which IIL evolved after the World War II. We saw that the first phase,
known as the era of infancy spanned up to 1964. In this lecture, we look at the
Era of Dichotomy from 1965 to 1987.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 5: <a href="https://youtu.be/wkfvLVvqDko?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">The Eras of Proliferation and Reorientation</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In this lecture, we discuss how International Investment Law
evolved through the eras of proliferation (1990-2007) and reorientation (2008-
till date).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chapter II:
Investment Treaty/ Contract</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 6: <a href="https://youtu.be/NOT3LE3rS-o?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Nature of Foreign Investment</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In the first five lectures we introduced the subject and
provided a historical overview of how IIL evolved. In this lecture, we will
have a look at the nature of foreign investment.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 7: <a href="https://youtu.be/XpfOz5JlMio?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">What is Investment?</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In this lecture, we will answer the fundamental question:
what is investment?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 8: <a href="https://youtu.be/XdD8lqpeRFU?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">What is Investment? Part II</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In the last video, we discussed the concept of “Investment”
and analysed two different types of definition of investment, taking the
India-UAE BIT and the Brazil- India BIT as examples. We also saw the general
practices regarding the definition of investment. In this video, we’ll discuss
the ICSID practice and the Salini test on the definition of investment.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 9: <a href="https://youtu.be/hx5fcltYfFM?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Who is an Investor?</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In this video we will be dealing with another important
threshold question: Who is an investor?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 10: <a href="https://youtu.be/RNyTFbZfTeI?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Natural Persons as Investors</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In the last lecture, we discussed certain general aspects
relating to the question: “who is an investor?”. In this lecture, we will look
at how the question is answered from the perspective of natural persons.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 11: <a href="https://youtu.be/yA6UPLhyH4g?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Legal Persons as Investors</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In this, video, we will discuss various tests to determine
the nationality of juridical persons.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 12: <a href="https://youtu.be/SWN-ki5OsPQ?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Who is an Investor? Treaty Shopping</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In this lecture we will deal with an important aspect
relating to the question "who is an investor?": Treaty shopping.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 13: <a href="https://youtu.be/gdEqn3WdzvE?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Shareholders as Investors</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The general principles regarding investor and investment
apply equally to shareholders. This lecture deals with the law relating to
whether shareholders could initiate investment treaty claims.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 14: <a href="https://youtu.be/T6SWRzoVQwY?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Elements of an Investment Treaty</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In this lecture, we will see the core elements of an
investment treaty. We will also use the India-UAE BIT, 2013 and the Brazil
India BIT, 2020 to provide an idea of how these provisions look in practice.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chapter III:
Substantive Standards I</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 15: <a href="https://youtu.be/eMc7CtyDfrE?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Fair & Equitable Treatment: An Introduction</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In this lecture, we will discuss one of the most widely used
substantial protections under international investment law, that is, Fair and
Equitable Treatment, or FET.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 16: <a href="https://youtu.be/B3ayVJrUfhQ?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Fair & Equitable Treatment: Preliminary Aspects</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This lecture deals with certain preliminary aspects of the
FET standard, including its brief history and its nature and function.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 17: <a href="https://youtu.be/1TYNpKBbBfw?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">More on Fair and Equitable Standards</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This lecture addresses issues such as whether FET standard
is a part of customary international law relating to minimum standard of
treatment and the evolution of FET standard<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 18: <a href="https://youtu.be/CJlDUCXucMw?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">India and the FET Standard</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This lecture looks at India’s skirmishes with the FET
standard in the White Industries Award and the Cairn BIT Award. Note that the
purpose of this lecture series is to introduce readers to the subject and
therefore, this lecture does not critically examines the Award insofar as the
FET standard is concerned but would only provide a descriptive comment.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 19: <a href="https://youtu.be/7e1RwW4cn_s?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Introduction to Full Protection and Security Standard</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This lecture introduces the full protection and security standard.
It talks about how the standard finds its place in certain Indian BITs and
about the first case in BIT history, which pertained to this standard.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 20: <a href="https://youtu.be/wOFivm09pk8?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">More on Full Protection and Security Standard</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 20 discusses the scope of the FPSS and provides an
overview of its features.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 21: <a href="https://youtu.be/t-wXfvyP58s?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Full Protection & Security in LDA v India Arbitration</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This lecture concerns the application of the Full Protection
and Security standard in the Louis Dreyfus Armateurs SAS (France) v. India
arbitration, which India successfully defended.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 22: <a href="https://youtu.be/85H2HPm_6MI?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Non-Impairment Standard: An Introduction</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 22 discusses Non-impairment standard, which is
another substantive protection in investment treaties. The lecture discusses
the non-impairment.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 23: <a href="https://youtu.be/Pn_6M2F0R7o?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">More on the Non-Impairment Standard</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 23 discusses the measures that can constitute a
violation of the non-impairment standard. The cases of EDF (Services) Limited
v. Romania, ELSI Elettronica Sicula SpA, Siemens v. Argentina, LG&E Energy
Corp v. Argentina have also been discussed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 24: <a href="https://youtu.be/Jrm0uxldFyo?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">The Umbrella Clause</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This lecture discusses the meaning, evolution, and variants
of the Umbrella clause.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 25: <a href="https://youtu.be/NGzD6IJnfUk?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">More on the Umbrella Clause</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This lecture discusses the case of SGS v Pakistan insofar as
it relates to the Umbrella clause.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 26: <a href="https://youtu.be/P0AgjZDotAk?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Approaches to the Umbrella Clause</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Umbrella clause has not received a uniform interpretation.
Different tribunals, including the one in SGS v. Pakistan, have construed the
clause differently.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 27: <a href="https://youtu.be/E0nTMRstCzs?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Nissan v India and the Umbrella Clause</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This lecture discusses the recent case of Nissan v. India
which relates to the Umbrella clause.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chapter IV:
Substantive Standards of Protection II</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 28: <a href="https://youtu.be/Yv27AhvpAhQ?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Most Favoured Nation Standard</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The Most Favoured Nation or the MFN standard.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 29: <a href="https://youtu.be/O9gI414mimE?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">More on the MFN Standard</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Exceptions to MFN standard and the temporal scope of the
standard.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 30: <a href="https://youtu.be/uoXYNuQC8LQ?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">MFN & Procedural Rules</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Extension of MFN to procedural rules. The MFN standard has
been construed to extend even to procedural provisions such as dispute
resolution although MFN in itself is a substantive standard.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 31: <a href="https://youtu.be/Xz1yXkdaCXQ?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">National Treatment</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Basics of the national treatment standard and the relevance
of WTO jurisprudence relating to national treatment in construing the contours
of the national treatment obligations in international investment agreements.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 32: <a href="https://youtu.be/XtVkCva3nxU?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">More on National Treatment</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Factors to determine violation of the national treatment
standard.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 33: <a href="https://youtu.be/qnUU39Vcxz0?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Some Features of National Treatment & the LDA Award</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Basic features of the national treatment standard and the
Louis Dreyfus Armateurs SAS (France) v. India insofar as it relates to the
national treatment standard.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 34: <a href="https://youtu.be/TobMD7F_WLQ?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Expropriation</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Concept of expropriation.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 35: <a href="https://youtu.be/6pGjimD2Olo?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Direct and Indirect Expropriation</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The India UAE and the Brazil India BITs with reference to
direct and indirect expropriation.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 36: <a href="https://youtu.be/6biwP5Ycrko?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Ingredients of Indirect Expropriation</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The ingredients of indirect expropriation.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 37: <a href="https://youtu.be/C0zBk3HeP6A?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Indirect Expropriation: Some More Examples</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The ingredients of indirect expropriation with examples.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 38: <a href="https://youtu.be/9aTOwbixLjc?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Compensation for Expropriation</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Compensation for expropriation.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 39: <a href="https://youtu.be/fWFQCeTg5jc?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">More on Compensation for Expropriation</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Determination of Fair Market Value as compensation for
expropriation.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 40: <a href="https://youtu.be/VAA8dmeLs6s?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Some More on Compensation for Expropriation</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Various aspects relating to compensation for unlawful
expropriation.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 41: <a href="https://youtu.be/9GO_xM0bcX0?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Use of DCF Methodology</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Key ideas presented in the webinar organised by FTI
Consulting and Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration on the topic of
compensation in international investment law on 2 December 2021 concerning the
topic of compensation for expropriation.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 44: <a href="https://youtu.be/KD7f1835j5s?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Moral Damages in International Investment Law</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Concept of moral damages in international investment law.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chapter V: Dispute
Resolution in International Investment Law</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 45: <a href="https://youtu.be/HPatdLaX0sQ?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Dispute Resolution in BITs</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">General aspects relating to dispute resolution in
international investment treaties.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 46: <a href="https://youtu.be/Ji2E1xKhS-U?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Recent Trends in Dispute Resolution: Brazil India BIT 2020</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Recent trends in dispute resolution provisions with special
reference to Brazil India BIT, 2020.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 47: <a href="https://youtu.be/HvbFUkSGsdc?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Local Exhaustion</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Exhaustion of Local Remedies (ELR)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 48: <a href="https://youtu.be/q1J5H-LIAZo?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Local Exhaustion II</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">More on Exhaustion of Local Remedies (ELR)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 49: <a href="https://youtu.be/pFX97C7gKXg?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">A Bit More on ELR</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Overview of some case law on the principle of Exhaustion of
Local Remedies or ELR and the relevant provisions in India’s Model BIT on ELR.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chapter VI: Recent
Developments & Concluding Observations</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 42: <a href="https://youtu.be/6_0CtC2FAx4?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Comment on the 10th Report of the Committee of External Affairs
(2020-2021)- Part I</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Descriptive comment on the Parliament of India’s Standing
Committee Report of September 2021 titled “Tenth Report of the Committee on
External Affairs (2020-21) on the subject ‘India and Bilateral Investment
Treaties’.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 43: <a href="https://youtu.be/mVKxbxcHTqI?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Comment on the 10th Report of the Committee of External Affairs
(2020-2021)- Part II</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Second Part of the descriptive comment on the first two
chapters of the Departmentally Related Standing Committee Report of September
2021 titled “Tenth Report of the Committee on External Affairs (2020-21) on the
subject ‘India and Bilateral Investment Treaties’.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 50: <a href="https://youtu.be/GHpi7xoEeKc?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Recent Developments & Concluding Observations</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Recent developments in international investment law and
concluding observations<o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-43655416924363141082021-12-31T10:22:00.004+05:302021-12-31T10:26:31.635+05:30A Bit More on Reciprocal Arrangements under Section 44 of the 1996 Act<p style="text-align: justify;">In the last decade (yes you read it right!) we wrote two posts (<a href="http://practicalacademic.blogspot.com/2013/09/reciprocal-arrangement-countries-under.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://practicalacademic.blogspot.com/2018/01/nothing-more-on-reciprocal-arrangement.html">here</a>) on the notifications relating to reciprocal arrangements under the Foreign Awards (Recognition & Enforcement) Act, 1961 and the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. Thanks to inputs from readers, we were able to get hold of a few more notifications. In this post, we provide a consolidated overview of the notifications and the law on the subject. It would be great if readers could contribute to the list of notifications either by posting the notification's link on the comment box or by emailing it to lawbadri@gmail.com.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><ol><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Source: Justice Bachawat's Law of Arbitration & Conciliation (5th ed. 2010), P.2264 ff.</b> List of countries notified under the <span style="text-align: justify;">Foreign Awards (Recognition & Enforcement) Act, 1961 (p. 2296): </span>The countries are Austria, Botswana, Bulgaria, Central African Republic, Chile, Cuba, Czechslovak Socialist Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Arab Republic of Egypt, Finland, France, German Democratic Republic, Federal Republic of Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Republic of Korea, Malagasy Republic, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, The Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Romania, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, USSR, UK, United Republic of Tanzania, and USA.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Source: Reply to RTI Application (<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/168-VJf5Dh0BXwt5-oSx2-SdeejDPHJ-Y/view?usp=sharing">here</a>)</b>: Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, Mauritius</li></ol><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Some Related Issues</b>:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Whether Notifications issued under the Foreign Awards (Recognition & Enforcement) Act, 1961 could be used for Awards after 1996 Act was brought into force?</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yes, guess so. Please see Section 85 which states: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"<i>85. Repeal and savings.—(1) The Arbitration (Protocol and Convention) Act, 1937 (6 of 1937), the Arbitration Act, 1940 (10 of 1940) and the Foreign Awards (Recognition and Enforcement) Act, 1961 (45 of 1961) are hereby repealed.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>(2) Notwithstanding such repeal,—</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>(a) the provisions of the said enactments shall apply in relation to arbitral proceedings which commenced before this Act came into force unless otherwise agreed by the parties but this Act shall apply in relation to arbitral proceedings which commenced on or after this Act comes into force;</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>(b) <b><u>all rules made and notifications published, under the said enactments shall, to the extent to which they are not repugnant to this Act, be deemed respectively to have been made or issued under this Act</u></b></i>." (emphasis added).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b>Whether precedents enforcing of foreign awards can be cited in the absence of tracing the relevant notifications?</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Will not hurt making such an attempt. In the last post in 2018, we had noted:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"<i>We spoke to some of the practitioners in the field. They say that none of the respondents had raised such an objection. Even if they raise such an objection, it would be possible to cite previous judgements where awards for such territories have been enforced. But the question is whether such an objection has been raised in the first place in those decisions?</i>"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, it is possible for a counter-argument (where applicable) that the objection regarding reciprocity was not taken before the court which enforcement a foreign award.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In any case, to address the information gap, it would be useful for courts deciding on enforcement of foreign arbitral awards to specify the seat of arbitration so that such precedents could be cited, in the absence of copy of notifications. We find that in several decisions enforcement foreign awards, courts have not been mentioning the seat/ place of arbitration. It would be useful if they did so. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some judgments mention the seat and courts in those cases have enforced foreign awards from seats not mentioned in the notifications issued under the 1996 Act (<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/2/blog/post/edit/6685096796297650696/4365541692436314108#">here</a>). Some such judgments rendered in the last three years are as follows:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Switzerland</b>: <a href="https://indiankanoon.org/doc/79928496/" target="_blank">Pasl Wind Solutions Private Limited vs. GE Power Conversion India Private Limited </a>(20.04.2021 - SC) : MANU/SC/0295/2021(strictly, not a decision enforcing a foreign award)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>USA</b>: <a href="https://hckinfo.kerala.gov.in/digicourt/Casedetailssearch/fileview?token=MjAwNTAwMDAwMjUyMDE5XzEucGRm&lookups=b3JkZXJzLzIwMTk=" target="_blank">International Nut Alliance LLC vs. Johns Cashew Company</a> (09.12.2021 - KERHC) : MANU/KE/3139/2021 </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finland</b>: <a href="https://indiankanoon.org/doc/123009605/" target="_blank">Finnish Fund for Industrial Corporation Ltd. vs. VME Precast Pvt. Ltd. and Ors.</a> (14.10.2020 - MADHC) : MANU/TN/5710/2020</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Egypt</b>: <a href="https://indiankanoon.org/doc/22283350/" target="_blank">Angelique International Limited vs. Public Electricity Corporation and Ors.</a> (23.06.2020 - DELHC) : MANU/DE/1290/2020 </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>UK</b>: <a href="https://indiankanoon.org/doc/28987625/" target="_blank">Glencore International AG vs. Hindustan Zinc Limited</a> (08.06.2020 - DELHC) : MANU/DE/1238/2020 (London Court of International Arbitration-LCIA- Award enforced); <a href="https://indiankanoon.org/doc/104300206/" target="_blank">Peniel Cashew Company and Ors. vs. Ahcom Sarl (30.10.2018</a> - KERHC) : MANU/KE/2997/2018 (CENTA award); <a href="C and C Maritime Pte. Ltd. vs. Advance Surfactants India Ltd." target="_blank">C and C Maritime Pte. Ltd. vs. Advance Surfactants India Ltd.</a> (24.01.2019 - DELHC) : MANU/DE/0280/2019.</div><p></p>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-77281045960111709162021-08-14T21:06:00.004+05:302021-08-14T22:10:48.069+05:30Lecture Series on International Investment Law: Lectures 16 to 30<div style="text-align: justify;">Just before the Second Wave of Covid19 in India, we started off a lecture series introducing international investment law. As was stated in a <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">previous post</a> in this blog, the objective of the lecture series was to cover the fundamentals of International Investment Law and making the subject more accessible through short lectures (approximately 8 to 10 minutes). The lecture series is not restricted to any particular jurisdiction, although many of the examples provided relate to India. Overview of the first fifteen lectures is contained in <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">this post</a>. This post covers lectures 16 to 30.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Chapter 3: Substantive Standards of Protection I</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 15: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">Fair & Equitable Treatment: An Introduction</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this lecture, we discuss one of the most widely used substantial protections under international investment law, that is, Fair and Equitable Treatment, or FET. We also deal with the FET clause in the India-UAE BIT, 2013 and the Brazil India BIT, 2020</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 16: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">Fair & Equitable Treatment: Preliminary Aspects</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This lecture deals with certain preliminary aspects of the FET standard, including its brief history and its nature and function.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 17: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">More on Fair and Equitable Standards</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This lecture addresses issues such as whether FET standard is a part of customary international law relating to minimum standard of treatment and the evolution of FET standard</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 18:<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#"> India and the FET Standard</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This lecture looks at India’s skirmishes with the FET standard in the White Industries Award and the Cairn BIT Award. Note that the purpose of this lecture series is to introduce readers to the subject and therefore, this lecture does not critically examines the Award insofar as the FET standard is concerned but would only provide a descriptive comment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 19: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">Introduction to Full Protection and Security Standard</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This lecture introduces the full protection and security standard. It talks about how the standard finds its place in certain Indian BITs and about the first case in BIT history, which pertained to this standard.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 20: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">More on Full Protection and Security Standard</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 20 discusses the scope of the FPSS and provides an overview of its features.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 21: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">Full Protection & Security in LDA v India Arbitration</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This lecture concerns the application of the Full Protection and Security standard in the Louis Dreyfus Armateurs SAS (France) v. India arbitration, which India successfully defended.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 22: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">Non-Impairment Standard: An Introduction</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 22 discusses Non-impairment standard, which is another substantive protection in investment treaties. The lecture discusses the non-impairment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 23: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">More on the Non-Impairment Standard</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 23 discusses the measures that can constitute a violation of the non-impairment standard. The cases of EDF (Services) Limited v. Romania, ELSI Elettronica Sicula SpA, Siemens v. Argentina, LG&E Energy Corp v. Argentina have also been discussed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 24: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">The Umbrella Clause</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This lecture discusses the meaning, evolution, and variants of the Umbrella clause.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 25: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">More on the Umbrella Clause</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This lecture discusses the case of SGS v Pakistan insofar as it relates to the Umbrella clause.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 26: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">Approaches to the Umbrella Clause</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Umbrella clause has not received a uniform interpretation. Different tribunals, including the one in SGS v. Pakistan, have construed the clause differently.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 27: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">Nissan v India and the Umbrella Clause</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This lecture discusses the recent case of Nissan v. India which relates to the Umbrella clause.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Chapter IV: Substantive Standards of Protection II</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 28: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">Most Favoured Nation Standard</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this lecture, we discuss the Most Favoured Nation or the MFN standard.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 29: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">More on the MFN Standard</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this lecture, we cover the issues of exceptions to MFN standard and the temporal scope of the standard.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 30: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">MFN & Procedural Rules</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this lecture, we deal with an interesting topic under MFN-extension of MFN to procedural rules. The MFN standard has been construed to extend even to procedural provisions such as dispute resolution although MFN in itself is a substantive standard.</div>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-19269393477537866512021-06-27T09:45:00.001+05:302021-06-27T09:45:18.388+05:30Lecture 2: History of International Investment Law from 1870 to 1914 (Script & Video)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="347" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HLGpOa_KHnQ" width="418" youtube-src-id="HLGpOa_KHnQ"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="text-align: justify;">Those watching this lecture series would recollect that
in the last lecture, we discussed about the origins of the IIL wherein we saw
that it evolved out of colonialism. We also discussed that many concepts that
evolved out of colonialism and imperialism are used even in the latest of
Investment treaties.</span><p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">In this lecture we delve into the evolution of IIL in the
first phase that is, between 1870 and 1914. But before we go further, those
watching may refer to two interesting papers on the origins before 1870, one by
Kate Miles, the author of the book which we referred to in last lecture, and
the other by Anne-Charlotte Martineau. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">The two papers are:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"></p><ul><li><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Kate
Miles, International Investment Law: Origins, Imperialism and Conceptualizing
the Environment, 21 Colo. J. Int'l Envtl. L. & Pol'y 1 (2010); and<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Anne-Charlotte
Martineau, A Forgotten Chapter in the History of International Commercial
Arbitration: The Slave Trade's Dispute Settlement System, Leiden Journal of
International Law (2018), page 1 of 23.</span></li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">The first lecture was mainly based on Chapter I of Kate
Miles book, whose content is similar to the first paper. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">The second paper above is equally interesting: it traces
the origins of the present system of IIL and Dispute resolution system in IIL
to slave trade in the 16<sup>th</sup> to 18<sup>th</sup> centuries. It states
that the institution of judges-conservators established to resolve disputes out
of slave trade was the precursor to arbitral tribunals established for
resolving disputes through international arbitration. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Interesting conclusions are drawn in the paper: one,
contrary to the widely held belief that international law came to rescue slaves
by advocating its abolition, international law created, supported and
perpetrated the slave trade regime for at least three centuries. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">The author speaks of ‘private’ dimensions of formal and
informal imperialism. This important and interesting. Colonialism has its roots
in corporations effecting economic and political control over the third world.
East India Company in India an apt example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">The author is therefore correct in saying that : “<i>There
is nothing neutral, normal or apolitical in investment law and adjudication</i>.”
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">So, the evolution of IIL
is not about good faith, treaties and precedents, but about blood, sweat and
tears.<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Now, coming to the evolution of IIL from 1870, this phase
saw two prominent developments. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">One was the entrenchment of the expropriation doctrine.
Standards for compensation due to expropriation were developed. For example,
the Convention of Friendship, Commerce and Extradition Between the United
States and Switzerland, 1850 stated in Article 2(3):<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">“<i>In case of [] expropriation for purposes of public
utility, the citizens of one of the two countries residing or established in
the other shall be placed upon an equal footing with the citizens of the
country in which they reside, with respect to indemnities for damages they may
have sustained</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Thus, the standard for compensation on account of
expropriation was national treatment. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">In this phase, expropriation was considered lawful if
certain conditions were met. These conditions were: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">a) it was carried out for a public purpose; <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">b) it was not arbitrary or discriminatory; and <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">c) prompt, adequate, and effective compensation was paid.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">It would be interesting to note that the phrase “<i>prompt,
adequate, and effective</i>” was coined in 1940 by United States Secretary of State
Cordell Hull in diplomatic correspondence with Mexico. This became the ‘Hull
Formula’. Interestingly, Hull was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1945 for
playing a pivotal role in establishing the United Nations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Another development in this period was the entrenchment
of the international minimum standards and the national treatment doctrines and
the tension between these concepts. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">While US and other European powers subscribed to the
international minimum standard rule, the countries in the third world,
especially the Latin American nations advocated the national treatment rule.
Their argument was that the international minimum standards rule impinged on
their sovereignty and foreign persons could not be afforded a treatment that
was beyond what a state offered to its citizens. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">National treatment was also the second limb of the famous
Calvo Doctrine. This doctrine arose from the ideas of Carlos Calvo, a jurist
from Argentina, first published in 1868. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">The first limb of the Calvo doctrine was that state
sovereignty precluded states from interfering into the affairs of another
state, either through diplomatic channels or by force.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Although the Calvo doctrine came to be looked upon with
disfavour by the Western nations, it has had a considerable influence in the
evolution of IIL. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">This is possibly a precursor to the local exhaustion rule
in international investment law.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">More on the first phase in the next lecture.</span></p><p></p>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-26951233402182970322021-06-19T07:04:00.004+05:302021-06-19T09:11:34.646+05:30Lecture Series on International Investment Law: Lectures 1 to 15<div style="text-align: justify;">Recently, we had commenced a lecture series introducing the subject of International Investment Law. We have completed the first fifteen lectures of the lecture series. The lecture series is aimed at covering the fundamentals of International Investment Law and making the subject more accessible through short lectures (approximately 8 to 10 minutes). The lecture series is divided into various chapters addressing specific topics and each chapter contains several lectures.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this post, we will provide links to the first fifteen lectures with a brief overview of each video.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">[Note: The first few videos have feeble audio. Readers may use headphones. For subsequent videos, laptop's inbuilt speaker will do.]</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Chapter 1: Chapter 1 : History & Nature of International Investment Law</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 1: <a href="https://youtu.be/_x57zCsHOxU?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Origins of International Investment Law before 1870</a> (click on the lecture name)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Historically, International Investment Law has evolved in three distinct phases in the modern history: Phase I is the period from 1870 to 1914; Phase II is the inter-war period, between 1918 to1945, and phase III is the post-war period, beginning from 1945. But, even before the first phase (1870), certain developments in international politics have had influence in the evolution of IIL. This lecture deals with those developments.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 2: <a href="https://youtu.be/HLGpOa_KHnQ?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">More About Origins & A Bit about Phase I</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this lecture we delve into the evolution of IIL in the first phase that is, between 1870 and 1914. But before we go further, those watching may refer to two interesting papers on the origins before 1870, one by Kate Miles, the author of the book which we referred to in last lecture, and the other by Anne-Charlotte Martineau.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 3: <a href="https://youtu.be/Ybb81eNYB-I?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Inter-War Period & Evolution Thereafter</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this lecture, we will see how International Investment Law evolved during the inter-war period, between 1914 and 1945,. We will also discuss its evolution during the post-II world war phase till 1964.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 4: <a href="https://youtu.be/eOO85RTmH_Q?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">The Era of Dichotomy</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the last lecture, we saw that there are four phases through which IIL evolved after the World War II. We saw that the first phase, known as the era of infancy spanned up to 1964. In this lecture, we look at the Era of Dichotomy from 1965 to 1987.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 5: <a href="https://youtu.be/wkfvLVvqDko?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">The Eras of Proliferation and Reorientation</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this lecture, we discuss how International Investment Law evolved through the eras of proliferation (1990-2007) and reorientation (2008- till date).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Chapter 2: Investment Treaty/ Contract</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 6: <a href="https://youtu.be/NOT3LE3rS-o?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Nature of Foreign Investment</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the first five lectures we introduced the subject and provided a historical overview of how IIL evolved. In this lecture, we will have a look at the nature of foreign investment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 7: <a href="https://youtu.be/XpfOz5JlMio?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">What is Investment?</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this lecture, we will answer the fundamental question: what is investment?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 8: <a href="https://youtu.be/XdD8lqpeRFU?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">What is Investment? Part II</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the last video, we discussed the concept of “Investment” and analysed two different types of definition of investment, taking the India-UAE BIT and the Brazil- India BIT as examples. We also saw the general practices regarding the definition of investment. In this video, we’ll discuss the ICSID practice and the Salini test on the definition of investment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 9: <a href="https://youtu.be/hx5fcltYfFM?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Who is an Investor?</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this video we will be dealing with another important threshold question: Who is an investor?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 10: <a href="https://youtu.be/RNyTFbZfTeI?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Natural Persons as Investors</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the last lecture, we discussed certain general aspects relating to the question: “who is an investor?”. In this lecture, we will look at how the question is answered from the perspective of natural persons.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 11: <a href="https://youtu.be/yA6UPLhyH4g?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Legal Persons as Investors</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this, video, we will discuss various tests to determine the nationality of juridical persons.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 12: <a href="https://youtu.be/SWN-ki5OsPQ?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd">Who is an Investor? Treaty Shopping</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this lecture we will deal with an important aspect relating to the question "who is an investor?": Treaty shopping.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 13: <a href="https://youtu.be/gdEqn3WdzvE?list=PLbrTm4AjbsjW4X7k4z7fz-vQQnV5EUvjd" target="_blank">Shareholders as Investors</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The general principles regarding investor and investment apply equally to shareholders. This lecture deals with the law relating to whether shareholders could initiate investment treaty claims.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 14: <a href="https://youtu.be/gdEqn3WdzvE" target="_blank">Elements of an Investment Treaty</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this lecture, we will see the core elements of an investment treaty. We will also use the India-UAE BIT, 2013 and the Brazil India BIT, 2020 to provide an idea of how these provisions look in practice.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Chapter 3: Fair and Equitable Treatment</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture 15: <a href="https://youtu.be/eMc7CtyDfrE" target="_blank">Fair & Equitable Treatment: An Introduction</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this lecture, we will discuss one of the most widely used substantial protections under international investment law, that is, Fair and Equitable Treatment, or FET.</div>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-53572580214496173682021-05-27T20:41:00.001+05:302021-05-27T20:41:09.892+05:30History of International Investment Law: Lecture Series on Introduction to International Law<div style="text-align: justify;">In the past three months, we have been uploading a lecture every fortnight on the broad purpose of providing an introductory overview to international investment law. The purpose of these lectures is to make the subject more accessible. The lectures uploaded so far can be accessed from <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">here</a>. The first five lectures provide a brief historical overview of the subject. The transcript of the first lecture on the origins of international investment law before 1870 are dealt with in this post.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Lecture 1: Origins of International Investment Law before 1870</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lecture Link: https://youtu.be/_x57zCsHOxU</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hello and welcome to the video lectures on the Introduction to International Investment Law.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this lecture series, we would be covering about 10-12 broad topics on the subject, and these would include important and controversial topics such as expropriation, Fair and Equal Treatment and Most Favoured Nation principles, as well as the latest developments, both in international investment law and international investor-state arbitration.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This lecture series can be taken up by students and others who are interested in getting an introductory overview of the subject.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Moving on to the first chapter of this series, “Nature & Evolution of International Investment Law”, we can see that historically International Investment Law has evolved in three distinct phases in the modern history:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Phase I is the period from 1870 to 1914; Phase II is the inter-war period, between 1918 to1945, and phase III is the post-war period, beginning from 1945.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But, even before the first phase, certain developments in international politics have had influence in the evolution of IIL.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For example, in 1778, USA and France concluded the first commercial treaty, known as the Treaty of Alliance; in fact there were many treaties and they are collectively called Treaties of Alliance. The treaty importantly provided for commercial relationship between both countries.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then followed the various Friendship, Commerce and Navigation Treaties entered into between countries, especially between US and others. Take the example of the United States–Paraguay Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation of 1859.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">These treaties protected individual and other rights such as:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li>Protection of individuals and their property,</li><li>freedom of movement and worship,</li><li>assuring rights to trade and to engage in commercial enterprise,</li><li>granting national treatment and most-favoured-nation status,</li><li>allowing for access to ports, and</li><li>granting navigation rights through territorial waters</li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One would note that even the recent most treaties guarantee these rights.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There were also Unequal or capitulation treaties. These conferred one-sided rights on the dominant conquering colonizer. These were the products of actual or threatened use of force by the dominant powers, especially those from the West. Although these treaties were couched in neutral language, they were actually meant to protect the rights, property and investment of the colonizer.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Examples of such treaties include treaties between Western powers and China between 1840s to 1860s.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In fact, it has been argued that the imposition of such unequal treaties was a key legal strategy in the European colonization. Key features of these treaties included:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li>Travel prerogatives of foreign traders,</li><li>the securing of extensive trading and investment rights,</li><li>non-discriminatory commercial access to the host state,</li><li>grant of concessions to foreign companies,</li><li>the protection of Christian missionaries,</li><li>leasing or ceding of territory to foreign states, and</li><li>governance powers, including establishment of parallel systems of governance.</li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thus, the origins of the IIL themselves have been tainted by colonialism and the superstructure of IIL was built with colonialism and power dynamics between nations as the base.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another important aspect is the evolution of the law on diplomatic protection to alien property in the 19th and the early 20th centuries.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A new branch of international law began to emerge in the 19th century known as diplomatic protection of aliens. This concerned establishment of an internationally acceptable minimum standard for the treatment of foreign persons and foreign companies, protection of person and property, etc. Violation of these standards meant that the host state was responsible and this meant military or other intervention by the state to which that alien belonged.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For more information on this, readers can refer to the first chapter of the book by Kate Miles titled “<a href="https://academic.oup.com/ejil/article/25/3/942/403616" target="_blank">The Origins of International Investment Law: Empire, Environment and the Safeguarding of Capital</a>” and published by the CUP in the year 2013.</div>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-85491042776563379812021-05-07T18:55:00.007+05:302021-05-07T18:55:35.744+05:30Symposium Alert: XIV Annual NLSIR-Samvād Partners Symposium on Strategising a Healthcare Framework for India: Headways, Dilemmas, and the Way Forward<p> <i>[Announcement of NLSIR Symposium as received from NLSIR is posted below]</i></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">About
NLSIR<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The
</span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">National Law School of India Review (NLSIR)</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> is the flagship journal of
the National Law School of India University, Bangalore (NLSIU). For over 30
years now, NLSIR has constantly sought to encourage legal scholarship on issues
of relevance to legal practitioners. In 2009, we became the first Indian
student-run journal to be cited by the Supreme Court of India in its decision
in </span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Action Committee, Unaided Private Schools v. Director of Education</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">.
Notably, we have also been cited recently in the Supreme Court’s landmark
judgment, </span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">, which established
the Right to Privacy in India.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">About
the Symposium</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In
furtherance of our mandate to encourage legal scholarship and push the
boundaries of law and policy, we are organising the <b>XIV Annual NLSIR-Samvād
Partners Symposium on Strategising a Healthcare Framework for India: Headways,
Dilemmas, and the Way Forward.</b> The Symposium will be held <b>virtually </b>on
<b>May 9, 2021</b> and is completely free to attend. The Symposium is divided
into three sessions, the outlines of which are available in the </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/my-drive"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">attached</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> <b>Concept Note</b>.
Each panel will be followed by a Q&A session, where attendees will have the
opportunity to interact with the panellists.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">This
year, </span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Justice Ravindra Bhat</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">, Supreme Court of India, will be delivering
the Inaugural Address and </span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Dr. Soumya Swaminathan</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">, Chief Scientist, WHO,
will be delivering the Introductory Address to the Symposium.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Sessions</span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Session I</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> is titled '<i>Assessing India's Clinical
Trial Rules: Developments and Some Festering Concerns for the Healthcare System</i>'.
In this session, we seek to engage in a discussion on India's clinical trial
regime and its particular complications with regard to scientific and
traditional medicines. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Keynote
Speaker</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">: Mr. Murali Neelakantan - Principal Lawyer, Amicus and
former Global General Counsel, Cipla Limited<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The panellists for Session I are</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Mr. Milind
Antani - Lead, Pharma, Life Science, and Healthcare Practice, Nishith Desai
Associates<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Prof.
Padmavati Manchikanti - Professor, Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual
Property, IIT Kharagpur<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Mr. Dinesh
Thakur - Public Health Activist and Expert in Pharmaceutical, Biomedical
Product Development, and Drug Regulation<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Ms. Nivedita
Saksena - Digital Health Policy Fellow, India Digital Health Network<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Session II</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">, titled '<i>The Ecosystem of Healthcare: Patent
and Trade</i>', will consider two competing interests - incentives for research
and development on the one hand, and accessibility of vital drugs on the other
hand - and their implications amidst the Covid-19 crisis. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Keynote
Speaker</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">: Justice Prabha Sridevan - Retired Judge, Madras High Court
and Chairperson of the Intellectual Property Appellate Tribunal from 2011 to
2013</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The panellists for Session II are</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Prof.
Jayashree Watal - Adjunct Professor of Law, Georgetown University and
Counsellor, Intellectual Property Division of the WTO from 2001 to 2019<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Mr. Rohan K
George - Partner, Samvād: Partners<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Prof.
Padmashree Gehl-Sampath - Fellow and Senior Advisor of the Global Access in
Action Program at the Berkman Klein Center, Harvard University<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Mr. Prashant
Reddy - Lawyer and Expert on Intellectual Property Law and Drug Regulations<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Ms. Neha
Srivastava - Partner Designate, Remfry & Sagar<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Session III</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> is titled '<i>The Law
and Model Framework to Provide Universal Right to Health and Healthcare
Infrastructure</i>'. In this session, we will explore the existing public
healthcare system in India, its varied actors and stakeholders, and endeavour
to conceptualise a universal right to healthcare in India. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Keynote
Speaker</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">: Mr. Anand Grover - Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The panellists for this session are</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Prof. S.V.
Joga Rao - Visiting Professor, NLSIU and Healthcare Consultant at Legalexcel<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Ms. Arkaja
Singh - Fellow, Centre for Policy Research<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Mr. Akshat
Agarwal - Senior Resident Fellow, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Mr. Varun
Jhaveri - Officer on Special Duty at the National Health Authority, Government
of India<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Registration<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Please use the following link to register for
the Symposium:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsouhY1bifv355PKzNzNGkqmKyoTiVAmAs-379bcJC7yrEEg/viewform.
Since slots are limited, we urge you to register as soon as possible. We hope
to see you at the Symposium and would love to have you engage with the
discussions on this pertinent theme.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Please feel free to contact the
undersigned in case you have any queries. You can also mail us at </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="mailto:nlsir@nls.ac.in" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">nlsir@nls.ac.in</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Regards,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Viraj Ananth (+91 81979 98480) and
Kashish Makkar (+91 96369 41027),<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Editors-in-Chief, National Law School of
India Review '20-'21</span></p><i></i><p></p>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-85794087708586642332021-04-14T18:13:00.004+05:302021-04-14T18:38:36.020+05:30Time as Essence in Construction Contracts: Need for a Comprehensive Relook<p style="text-align: justify;">The issue of time as essence in construction contracts is controversial and is frequently litigated. The law on the subject is largely unsatisfactory. In a paper titled "<a href="https://cf9d2836-9a17-4889-b084-bc78a1bb74ee.filesusr.com/ugd/0fa0b3_a03b4b20546d48efbe7b3bd43b06d3ab.pdf" target="_blank">The Law on Time as Essence in Construction Contracts: A Critique</a>" published in Volume 8 Issue 1 of the RGNUL Financial and mercantile Law Review (<a href="https://www.rfmlr.com/volume-8-issue-1" target="_blank">here</a>), the law on the subject is critically evaluated. The paper argues that the precedent on the issue, Hind
Construction Contractors v. State of Maharashtra, AIR 1979 SC 720 ("<i>Hind Construction</i>"), was wrongly decided and requires reconsideration. It also argues that:</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><i>Hind Construction</i> is no more relevant to the current times and provides incentives to inefficient contractors leading to delay in project completion; </li><li style="text-align: justify;">Contracting parties do not appear to have circumvented the
adverse effect produced by Hind Construction through the use of appropriate
language in their contracts despite various decisions following the said
decision; and </li><li style="text-align: justify;">One of such reasons for the phenomena appears to be a lack
of direction by courts as to what contracting language could constitute future
courts to construe a contractual condition providing that time is of the essence
as such.</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NESD_ebljs/YHblYABRrbI/AAAAAAAAFfc/4K9RtvPfn9Qq9k_Zi7pxO7reH5ChBKs4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s590/70F6C444-BBA0-46E3-A51F3E8ABEAF6B23_source.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image Credits*" border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="590" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NESD_ebljs/YHblYABRrbI/AAAAAAAAFfc/4K9RtvPfn9Qq9k_Zi7pxO7reH5ChBKs4gCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h213/70F6C444-BBA0-46E3-A51F3E8ABEAF6B23_source.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The paper concludes by arguing that concludes by highlighting possible contractual clauses and contract
management strategies that could further party intent that time is of the essence
in construction contracts notwithstanding Hind Construction and later
decisions following it.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Abstract of the Paper is provided below:</p><p style="text-align: justify;">"<i>The concept of time as essence in construction contracts is a controversial topic. Even
though parties routinely provide in their agreements that time is of the essence, these
clauses inevitably figure in construction disputes. Arbitral tribunals and courts have
mostly decided such disputes holding those clauses to be of no legal effect, mainly
by relying on the decision of a three-judge bench of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in
Hind Construction Contractors v. State of Maharashtra. This paper argues that Hind
Construction was wrongly decided, that it is not good law and that it requires
reconsideration given the changing times. The paper further notes that parties do not
appear to have circumvented the adverse effect of Hind Construction. Usually, in such
situations, there is a change in contracting behaviour by the use of appropriate
contracting language. Perhaps, this is due to the lack of direction by courts as to what
appropriate language could be used in contracts to make time as the essence of the
contract. This paper concludes by suggesting possible methods by which courts and
arbitral tribunals could validly enforce time-as-essence clauses</i>."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Critique of the paper is welcome as comments to this post. Readers can also write to lawbadri@gmail.com</p><p style="text-align: justify;">* Image from <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/quantum-time-twist-offers-a-way-to-create-schroedingers-clock/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-62036230277123602992021-03-10T22:53:00.013+05:302021-03-10T23:05:10.583+05:30Supreme Court's Suggestion on Providing for Appeals against Orders U/s 11: Whether Correct?<p style="text-align: justify;">This short post discusses the supposed anomaly identified by the SC in Section 11 of the 1996 Act (as amended) in that it provides that while an order in Section 8 is appealable under Section 37 and an order under Section 11 is not. The relevant quotes from the judgment of the SC in the recent case of <a href="https://main.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2020/15088/15088_2020_33_1501_26735_Judgement_08-Mar-2021.pdf">Pravin Electricals Pvt Ltd v Galaxy Infra and Engineering Pvt Ltd</a>. are posted at the end of this post.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In short, the suggestion of the SC may not be workable and could lead to further delays in the constitution of the Tribunal. The law as it stands today is that an appeal from an order under Section 11 is not appealable except through the SLP route. Note that S. 11 is not a trial by itself but is only intended to aid the parties to constitute the arbitral tribunal. If the suggestion of the SC is accepted, it would simply add one more layer to the current process which is already time-consuming, costly and cumbersome. See, <a href="http://www.ijal.in/sites/default/files/IJAL%20Volume%201_Issue%201_Badrinath%20Srinivas.pdf">this article</a>, which empirically provides an overview of how long it takes for the arbitral tribunal to be constituted where appeals are filed to the SC from HC orders. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The following table, noted in the above article, represents the time taken from
the date of application to the High Court (HC) for appointment of arbitrator till the date of final disposal by the
Supreme Court of appeal from the order of the HC:</span><span> </span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; text-align: justify;">
<tbody><tr>
<td style="background: rgb(191, 191, 191); border: 1pt solid black; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 191; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-themecolor: text1; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.7pt;" valign="top" width="180">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span>Time taken (Months)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(191, 191, 191); border-left: none; border: 1pt solid black; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 191; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt;" valign="top" width="206">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span>Petitions from
date of appointment to final disposal by Supreme Court</span></b><b><span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(191, 191, 191); border-left: none; border: 1pt solid black; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-background-themeshade: 191; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 162pt;" valign="top" width="216">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span>Petitions from
date of arbitration notice to final disposal by Supreme Court</span></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid black; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.7pt;" valign="top" width="180">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span>Up to 12<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt;" valign="top" width="206">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">3<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 162pt;" valign="top" width="216">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">2<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid black; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.7pt;" valign="top" width="180">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span>13-36<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt;" valign="top" width="206">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">40<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 162pt;" valign="top" width="216">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">38<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid black; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.7pt;" valign="top" width="180">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span>37-60<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt;" valign="top" width="206">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">17<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 162pt;" valign="top" width="216">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">18<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid black; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.7pt;" valign="top" width="180">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span>61-84<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt;" valign="top" width="206">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">15<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 162pt;" valign="top" width="216">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">15<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid black; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.7pt;" valign="top" width="180">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span>Over 84<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt;" valign="top" width="206">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">8<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 162pt;" valign="top" width="216">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">10<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid black; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 134.7pt;" valign="top" width="180">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span>Total<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.2pt;" valign="top" width="206">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span>83<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1pt solid black; border-left: none; border-right: 1pt solid black; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 162pt;" valign="top" width="216">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span>83<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The data collected up to 2011 is available <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1riIHjo2sgusXcfxJJHy7g7wdJgSd970O5nGlPWqP7iA/edit#gid=1">here</a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">As the data shows above, in most cases, it has taken more than a year for the <i>courts</i> from the date of notice of arbitration till the data of final disposal (<i>of appeal</i>) appointing or rejecting appointment petition for arbitrator. The data since 2011 could be collected and analysed but this blawgger is not really sure if there would be a remarkable improvement in the disposal rate necessitating a contrary view from what is noted above. [this para has been slightly modified after posting]</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The purpose of Section 8 is totally different from that of Section 11. The limited purpose of Section 11 is to enable constitution of tribunal. Whether any point would be served if an additional layer of courts would be added needs to be examined. There might be an "anomaly" in treatment of S. 8 petitions and S. 11 petitions insofar as appeal is concerned but that does not mean that an amendment has to be carried out. Doctrinal consonance cannot triumph necessity.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Extracts from <a href="https://main.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2020/15088/15088_2020_33_1501_26735_Judgement_08-Mar-2021.pdf">Pravin Electricals Pvt Ltd v Galaxy Infra and Engineering Pvt Ltd</a>. </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">"<i>21. However, by a process of judicial interpretation, Vidya Drolia
(supra) has now read the “prima facie test” into Section 11(6A)
so as to bring the provisions of Sections 8(1) and 11(6) r/w
11(6A) on par. Considering that Section 11(7) and Section 37
have not been amended, an anomaly thus arises. Whereas in
cases decided under Section 8, a refusal to refer parties to
arbitration is appealable under Section 37(1)(a), a similar refusal
to refer parties to arbitration under Section 11(6) read with
Sections 6(A) and 7 is not appealable. In the light of what has been decided in Vidya Drolia (supra), Parliament may need to
have a re-look at Section 11(7) and Section 37 so that orders
made under Sections 8 and 11 are brought on par qua
appealability as well</i>."</p>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685096796297650696.post-16096856515137960272021-02-19T04:22:00.003+05:302021-02-19T04:22:18.101+05:30Take or Pay Obligations in Fuel Supply Agreements: An Overview<div style="text-align: justify;">Contractual clauses that obligate the buyer to take delivery of a pre-determined quantity of natural gas or other fuel or pay the monetary equivalent of the pre-determined quantity of fuel in case of failure to take delivery are known as take or pay (TOP) clauses. TOPC (TOPC) have been justified from the seller’s point of view on the ground that these clauses help the seller recoup substantial capital investment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">TOPC have been in vogue in the natural gas industry for more than half a century. At the same time, they have been criticised as anti-competitive and anti-consumer. Consequently, the validity of TOPC has been challenged in judicial forums on numerous legal grounds.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The challenges have been more frequent when end-consumers, such as power-producers (using gas as the raw material), are unable to use the committed quantity of gas for consumption owing to circumstances beyond their control. TOPC have also been questioned especially when the prices of natural gas supplied are higher than those of alternative fuels or spot market prices, thereby encouraging buyers to go for such sources, and in economic rescission where demand for gas would be considerably lower than anticipated by the buyer.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Consonant with international practice, TOPC are prevalent in fuel supply agreements in India. In the forthcoming paper to be published in the <a href="http://www.rmlnlu.ac.in/rmlnluj.html" target="_blank">Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University Journal</a> (2020), the manner in which these clauses have continued to be used in fuel sales agreements despite legal challenges under the rubrics of various laws in India has been analysed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The paper first provides a brief overview of the history and the economic rationale for the continued use of TOPC. It describes the legal developments pertaining to the clause from competition law, contract law and electricity law perspectives. Considering the use of such clauses world over, an international perspective is also provided. The paper concludes by arguing that although TOPC are here to stay, various abuses surrounding TOPC have been, and are being, duly addressed in Indian law.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>Badrinath Srinivasanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11123853000962107353noreply@blogger.com0