There is no need for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership agreement to include investor-state arbitration

The U.S and the European Union are about to begin the latest round of negotiations towards the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. Many argue that the agreement could have considerable economic and political benefits on both sides of the Atlantic. Controversy has erupted, however, over plans to include investment protections provisions typically used in agreements with developing countries. The House of Lords yesterday released its recommendations to the British government about the agreement. It is largely sympathetic to including investor-state arbitration in the agreement, but only on one condition. Lauge Poulsen, who gave evidence to the House of Lords’ hearing process, reflects on the report.