Virtual Seminar: The Energy Charter Treaty: is it still fit for purpose and how could it be improved?
The Energy Charter Treaty, which was signed in 1994 and entered into force in...
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Latest
Virtual Seminar: Protecting Renewable Energies: Investment Treaties and State Regulation of Solar, Wind and Water Energy
Driven by government schemes and the expectation of high returns on investment, renewable energies...
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Virtual Seminar: Recent developments in international trade and investment law in Tanzania and Angola and the present status of the negotiations for an investor-State dispute resolution mechanism under the AfCFTA Agreement investment protocol
This seminar addressed three current issues in respect of trade within and into Africa. ...
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Virtual Seminar: State responsibility for actions taken by States regarding the COVID-19 virus
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused almost every government around the world to enact public...
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Virtual Seminar: Interconnectors, energy security and flexibility services in Europe
By general consensus, the world needs to reduce its fossil fuel consumption and electrification...
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Virtual Seminar: COVID-19 and international humanitarian law
COVID-19 has exacerbated the already difficult situation in many war-torn countries. Civilians in States...
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Vietnam could be considering legal action over rights in the South China Sea
Vietnam might resort to international arbitration to settle its territorial dispute with China over...
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Extraordinary measures in extraordinary times: how can States and investors learn from the lessons of the 2008 global financial crisis?
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic crisis and its economic impact on business more broadly bears...
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Is it time for the creation of a Convention on Pandemic Suppression (COPS)?
By Robert G Volterra and Álvaro Nistal The COVID-19 pandemic cannot properly be...
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Virtual Seminar: Disputes under Joint Operating Agreements
Joint Operating Agreements (JOAs) are a cornerstone of all upstream oil and gas investments...
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Virtual Seminar: Human rights and ESG diligence in a COVID-19 world
In addition to certain beneficial environmental effects, the COVID-19 pandemic has complicated the processes...
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Virtual Seminar: Sustainable energy development in Albania: opportunities and investment protection issues
The COVID-19 pandemic and resultant economic recession have significantly dampened activity and appetite for...
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Virtual Seminar: The future of North American trade and investment under the Canada-Mexico-US Agreement (USMCA or CUSMA)
Canada day, 1 July 2020, marked the entry into force of the revised North...
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Virtual Seminar: Efficient management of energy arbitrations
Energy arbitrations include commercial and investor-State arbitrations in relation to energy assets or energy...
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Virtual Seminar: Transboundary Unitisation and Delimitation
Investment in offshore blocks has grown rapidly because of technological advances, new discoveries and...
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Virtual Seminar: Protecting offshore investments in disputed maritime areas
States all around the world have advanced overlapping claims over more than 200 maritime...
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Virtual Seminar: Strategies for price readjustment in energy contracts in the time of COVID-19
COVID-19 has brought about dramatic changes to the energy industry, including energy prices and...
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Virtual Seminar: Arbitration in sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and Opportunities
There are many interesting and often challenging aspects to arbitration being undertaken in sub-Saharan...
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Best Lawyers 2021
Volterra Fietta has been selected by peers to be included in the Ninth Edition...
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Client Alert: What are the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for States and investors under the Energy Charter Treaty
The COVID-19 pandemic poses immense challenges for States, their citizens and businesses alike. While...
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Lawyers Worldwide Awards 2020
Volterra Fietta has been awarded “International Dispute Resolution Law Firm of the Year –...
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Client Alert: The United Nations Human Rights Committee does not give States a carte blanche to violate their human rights obligations in response to the COVID-19
Over the last months, States around the world have been taking emergency measures in...
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Client Alert: Effects of COVID-19 on Document Production
It is widely recognised that the COVID-19 pandemic will affect the ability of a...
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Virtual Seminar: Effective Cross-Examination in International Arbitration: Addressing Procedural, Cultural and Logistical Challenges
Cross-examination is a vital part of any litigator’s toolkit. An effective cross-examination can win...
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Client Alert: Restructuring, COVID-19 and Investor-State Arbitrations: Often Overlooked Issues
The recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has had global effects, affecting foreign operations...
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Virtual Seminar: COVID-19 and Force Majeure Under Oil and Gas Contracts
In the first quarter of 2020, several major Chinese and Indian importers of liquefied...
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Client Alert: COVID-19 and Investment Treaty Claims
States around the world have implemented unprecedented measures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. ...
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Client Alert: Legal actions demanding reparations from China over COVID-19
A number of legal actions have been brought before national courts and international bodies...
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Formation of a new Arab-African council signals the deepening of regional cooperation over waterways
On 6 January 2020, the Council of Arab and African States Bordering the Red...
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UK Supreme Court allows enforcement of the €300 million Micula award
Introduction On 19 February 2020, the UK Supreme Court (“SC”) unanimously lifted the stay...
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Court of Appeal denies liability of UK mining company for alleged human rights abuses by Sierra Leonean police
On 17 February 2020, the Court of Appeal of England and Wales unanimously dismissed...
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The European Court of Justice decides that it lacks jurisdiction to rule in relation to Slovenia’s violation of its obligations of good faith in the maritime boundary arbitration between Slovenia and Croatia and Croatia’s subsequent refusal to implement the tainted arbitral award
On 31 January 2020, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice (the...
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Canadian courts assert jurisdiction over allegations against Canadian mining company for alleged complicity in modern slavery and human rights abuses in Eritrea
On 28 February 2020, a majority of the Supreme Court of Canada (the “SCC”)...
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Client Alert: Could the COVID-19 pandemic inspire the development of a United Nations Convention on Pandemic Suppression?
The COVID-19 pandemic poses unprecedented global challenges. States have adopted disparate measures in response...
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Virtual Seminar: COVID-19 and Creation of a Convention on Pandemic Suppression (COPS)
The COVID-19 pandemic has already had devastating effects on States, populations and the world’s...
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Volterra Fietta Client Alert: The impact of COVID-19 on arbitration proceedings and due process
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, the arbitration community is looking for ways...
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Virtual Seminar: Foreign Investments, COVID-19 and Public International Law
Recently, States have implemented unprecedented measures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. They have...
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Volterra Fietta Breakfast Seminar – Expropriation of Satellite Spectrum
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Virtual Seminar: COVID-19 and Public International Law
Governments around the world are taking unprecedented measures in the name of public health...
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COVID-19 and the WHO’s International Health Regulations (2005)
The International Health Regulations (2005) (the “IHR”) are the key international legal instrument regulating...
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Client Alert: Dutch Court of Appeal reinstates USD 50 billion Yukos awards
On 18 February 2020, The Hague Court of Appeal reinstated three landmark arbitral awards...
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Client Alert: The Court of Appeal of England and Wales rules Heathrow expansion unlawful owing to climate change obligations
On 27 February 2020, the Court of Appeal of England and Wales delivered a...
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Client Alert: Ruling of the Dutch Court of Appeal Confirms Functional Immunity of NATO entities
Commercial Contracts and International Organisations A Court of Appeal in the Netherlands has confirmed...
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Worldwide Financial Advisor Awards Magazine – Excellence Awards 2020
Volterra Fietta has been awarded “International Dispute Resolution Law Firm of the Year –...
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Lawyers Worldwide Awards 2020
Volterra Fietta has been awarded “Public International Law Firm of the Year – UK”.
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Turkey-Cyprus Oil and Gas Dispute
In December 2019, Cyprus filed a petition with the International Court of Justice in...
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Principles for Responsible Banking
On 22 and 23 September 2019, 130 banks from 49 countries signed the Principles...
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Class action filed in US court against tech companies for benefitting from human rights violations in cobalt mining
Under-aged artisanal miners have filed a class action suit in a United States (“US”)...
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The Dutch Supreme Court orders the Netherlands to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2020
On 20 December 2019, the Dutch Supreme Court ordered the Dutch State to reduce...
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US sanctions on Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream pipeline projects
The United States of America (the “US”) appears to be determined to stop the...
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ACQ5 Law Awards 2020
Volterra Fietta has been awarded “UK – Public International Law Firm Of The Year”.
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Best Lawyers 2020
Volterra Fietta has been recognised in the 2020 edition of “Best Lawyers”.
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Who’s Who Legal
Robert Volterra has been recognised in GAR’s 2020 edition of “Who’s Who Legal: Thought...
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Global Law Experts Annual Awards 2020
Graham Coop has been awarded the category of “Energy Sector Public International Law –...
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Finance Monthly Legal Awards 2020
Volterra Fietta has been awarded the category of “International Law – UK”.
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Lawyer International – Legal 100 – 2020
Volterra Fietta has been awarded “Firm of the Year – Arbitration – England”.
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ACQ5 Country Awards 2020
Volterra Fietta has been awarded “Best Practice Operator in the UK”.
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International arbitration heavyweight Peter Flint joins Volterra Fietta
On Monday 6 January 2020, Volterra Fietta appointed Peter Flint, the ex-head of international...
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Latin American Arbitration Practitioners EU Launch Event
On 31 October 2019, Volterra Fietta hosted the Latin American Arbitration Practitioners EU (“LATAP...
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The Legal Business International Arbitration Summit 2019
Robert Volterra was invited to speak on a panel at the International Arbitration Summit...
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International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea Prescribes Provisional Measures Requiring Russia to Release Three Ukrainian Naval Vessels
On 25 May 2019, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (“ITLOS”)...
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South China Sea Competing Maritime Claims: Risks and Rights for Oil and Gas Companies
Introduction On 12 July 2016, an international arbitral tribunal (the “Tribunal”) constituted under Annex...
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Argentina’s Presidential Election: A Possible Threat To Foreign Investors
Background On 11 August 2019, the candidates of Frente de Todos, headed by Alberto...
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Third Circuit Court of Appeals Permits Venezuela’s Creditors to Seize PDVSA’s Interests CITGO
Introduction On 29 July 2019, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals of the United...
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Corporate Intl Global Awards 2020
Graham Coop won “Energy Sector Public International Law – Lawyer of the Year in...
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The Lawyers Worldwide Awards Innovative Lawyers 2019
Volterra Fietta was awarded “Public International Law Firm of the Year – UK
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Supreme Court rules that Zambians can seek damages from UK company for alleged human rights abuses by Zambian subsidiary
Significant developments continue in the field of human rights-based litigation in the UK. On...
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The General Court of the European Union annuls the European Commission’s Decision on State Aid in the Micula case (Micula v. Romania)
On 18 June 2019, the General Court of the European Union (“GCEU”) handed down...
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Volterra Fietta and King’s College London (Department of Geography) co-hosted The 2019 London International Boundary Conference
Volterra Fietta and King’s College London (Department of Geography) co-hosted another successful edition of...
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Volterra Fietta hosts Spring Reception at The Carlton Club
On 8 May 2019, Volterra Fietta hosted its annual Spring Reception at The Carlton...
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Animal Science Products v. Hebi Welcome Pharmaceutical
The United States Supreme Court rules that federal courts are not required to give...
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The UK and Canada are taking steps to regulate the area of business and Human Rights (“BHR”)
Introduction Multinational businesses are facing increasing pressure to stay abreast of the rapidly developing...
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AAA & Others v. Unilever PLC and Unilever Tea Kenya Limited [2018] EWCA Civ 1532
The Court of Appeal in England and Wales has dismissed claims that an English...
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The American Law Institute will publish its Fourth Restatement of the Foreign Relations Law of the United States.
This month, the American Law Institute will publish its Fourth Restatement of the Foreign Relations Law of...
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A UN working Group issues draft binding international instrument on Business and Human Rights
In June 2014, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva adopted a resolution drafted by...
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Upcoming Events
Thursday 20 September Robert Volterra will speak about “Mineral Resources and Maritime Delimitation” at...
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CETA Investment Court System compatibility with European Union Law: Belgium’s referral to the Court of Justice of the European Union
On 1 September 2017, in the context of its ratification of the Comprehensive Economic...
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Gill Hickman – October 2017
In October 2017, Volterra Fietta acquired an additional piece of artwork for the office. ...
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Business and Human Rights: Closer scrutiny of businesses in the United Nations’ General Comment on State Obligations in the Context of Business Activities
On 23 June 2017, the United Nations’ Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights...
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UNCITRAL Working Group begins consideration of investor-State dispute settlement reform
In July 2017, at its 50th Session, the United Nations Commission on International Trade...
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ICSID tribunal throws new light on the Status of State-owned Enterprises under the ICSID Convention
State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are, as the name suggests, enterprises that are part or wholly...
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Dutch Court Convicts Former “Timber Baron” of War Crimes in Liberia
Introduction On 21 April 2017, the Dutch Court of Appeal in ‘s-Hertogenbosch issued a...
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Upcoming Events
Friday 6 October Maria Fogdestam-Agius will speak at the Colloquium on International Investment Law...
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The United States Announces its Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement
On 1 June 2017, American President Donald J. Trump announced that the United States...
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PCA designates appointing authority in an investment case against Libya under the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Investment Agreement
On 27 March 2017, the Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (the “PCA”)...
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Volterra Fietta hosts A Level students in partnership with the University of Oxford Pathways to Law Programme as part of the Firm’s contribution to Corporate Social Responsibility
On Wednesday 19 July, Volterra Fietta hosted Year 12 and 13 students at our...
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The New 2019 Hague Judgments Convention
Introduction In July 2019, the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments...
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Registration is now open for the London International Boundary Conference 2017
The London International Boundary Conference 2017 will take place on 5-6 June 2017 at...
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Upcoming Events
Wednesday 24 May: Volterra Fietta hosts its second Energy Breakfast Seminar on the topic “Europe...
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Do Corporations have Duties to those Affected by their Subsidiaries’ Operations Overseas?
On 26 January 2017, the High Court of England and Wales dismissed claims brought...
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New Developments in the Dispute between Pey Casado and Chile
The dispute In the last few months, the long-lasting dispute between Mr Pey Casado...
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The Russian Federation creates a new base in the Arctic
The Russian Federation (“Russia”) is one of the Arctic rim-States and possesses a long...
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Robert Volterra spoke at the “Negotiating Brexit” workshop at the University of Oxford
On 17 March 2017 Professor Robert G. Volterra spoke at the ‘Negotiating Brexit’ conference...
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Finance Monthly Global Awards 2016
Volterra Fietta was awarded 2016 WINNER for the Commercial Arbitration sector (UK) by Finance...
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ACQ Law Awards 2016
UK Public Law Firm of the Year International Public Law Firm of the Year...
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M&A Today Global Awards 2016
Firm of the Year – Arbitration – England
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Corporate Intl Magazine Global Awards 2016
Public International Law – Law Firm of the Year in England
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News In Brief – Autumn 2015
Italy withdraws from the Energy Charter Treaty Reportedly, Italy in January 2015 delivered its...
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Does a second passport entitle a private investor to BIT protection?
Introduction A tribunal established under United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (“UNCITRAL”) rules...
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India and Bangladesh implement land-swap deal for territorial enclaves
Introduction In May 2015, the Indian Parliament passed a bill to amend the Indian...
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Further attempts by the European Commission to eradicate intra-EU BITs
Introduction Recently, the European Commission (the “Commission”) has displayed a significantly more proactive approach...
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News In Brief – Winter 2014
Pacific Rubiales studies claim under the Canada-Colombia FTA as Colombian State-owned Ecopetrol prevails in...
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ICSID panel holds Venezuela in breach of international law for failing to negotiate in good faith for expropriation compensation
On 3 September 2013, a tribunal constituted under the auspices of the International Centre...
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New UNCITRAL Rules on Transparency in Treaty-based Investor-State Arbitration
On 11 July 2013, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (“UNCITRAL“) adopted...
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Rejection of Annulment of Malicorp v. Egypt ICSID Award
In an Award rendered on 7 February 2011 (the “Award“), an arbitral tribunal (the...
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Afghanistan joins the Energy Charter Treaty
On 20 June 2013, Afghanistan became the fifty-fourth member of the Energy Charter Treaty...
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News In Brief – Summer 2013
Sao Tome and Principe ratifies the ICSID Convention On 20 May 2013, Sao Tome...
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Partial Award issued in the Indus Waters Kishenganga Arbitration (Pakistan v. India)
On 18 February 2013, the international arbitration tribunal (the “Tribunal“) constituted under the terms...
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Settlement Agreement Reached in NAFTA dispute with the Government of Canada
On 12 April 2013, an ICSID arbitral tribunal (the “Tribunal“) issued a Consent Award in the...
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The Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission requests ITLOS to render an Advisory Opinion
On 28 March 2013, the Sub-regional Fisheries Commission (the “SRFC“) requested the International Tribunal for the...
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Majority of ICSID Tribunal finds jurisdiction over multi-party claim against Argentina
On 8 February 2013, an ICSID tribunal (the “Tribunal“) handed down its Decisionon Jurisdiction and...
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News In Brief – Winter 2013
Philippines takes South China Sea dispute with China to arbitration On 22 January 2013,...
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Partial Annulment of Pey Casado Award against Chile could create yet another chapter in the long-running ICSID saga
On 18 December 2012, an ad hoc annulment committee (the “Committee“) rendered its decision (the “Decision“)...
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The Diallo Case (Republic of Guinea v. Democratic Republic of Congo) – A Rare Instance of Diplomatic Protection before the International Court of Justice
On 19 June 2012, the International Court of Justice (“ICJ” or the “Court“) delivered...
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New EU Regulation addressing the transition of extra-EU Bilateral Investment Treaties enters into force
On 12 December 2012, the European Union (the “EU” or the “Union“) adopted Regulation...
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China and the Republic of Korea make Overlapping Submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf regarding the East China Sea
On 14 December 2012, the People’s Republic of China (“China“) made a partial submission...
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News In Brief – Autumn 2012
Founder of Lalive passes away Jean-Flavien Lalive, a highly respected scholar and international arbitration...
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United States Court of Appeals’ decision to vacate arbitral award causes controversy
In January 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia...
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Jurisdiction over CAFTA claims declined by Tribunal in Mining Dispute with El Salvador
In a decision on jurisdiction issued on 1 June 2012, an arbitral tribunal composed...
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Former President of Liberia sentenced to 50 years for War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity
On 26 April 2012, Trial Chamber II of the Special Court for Sierra Leone...
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Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf issues recommendations on Japan’s submission
On 12 November 2008, Japan submitted information on the limits of its continental shelf...
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News In Brief – Spring 2012
Former President of Liberia convicted of War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity On 26...
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International Criminal Court delivers first-ever Judgment in Lubanga Case
On 14 March 2012, Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or...
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Challenges to arbitrators under the ICSID Convention – Increasingly Common but Success remains Improbable
In recent years, there has been a proliferation of challenges to arbitrators in international...
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Jurisdiction Upheld by Arbitral Tribunal in Chevron’s Dispute with Ecuador
In a third interim award issued on 27 February 2012, an arbitral tribunal, consisting...
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News In Brief – Winter 2012
Venezuela denounces ICSID Convention On 14 January 2012, Oil Minister, Rafael Ramirez, announced the...
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Victory for Cuba in rare inter-State investment arbitration initiated by Italy
An inter-State investment arbitral award regarding a dispute between Italy and Cuba has recently...
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The International Court of Justice declares Greece’s obstruction of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s application to join NATO unlawful
On 5 December 2011, the International Court of Justice (“ICJ” or the “Court”) delivered...
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Kenya Invades Somalia Relying on the Right to Self-Defence
On 16th October 2011, Kenya launched ground troops deep into Somali territory in “Operation...
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International Criminal Law Expert and Judge Antonio Cassese, 1937-2011
Antonio Cassese, one of the most distinguished figures in international criminal justice, a respected...
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News In Brief – Summer 2011
International Law Commission Adopts Articles on the Responsibility of International Organizations On 3 June...
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News In Brief – Autumn 2011
Maldives becomes 118th State to join the International Criminal Court On 21 September 2011,...
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Pyrrhic Victory For Yukos As European Court Of Human Rights Rejects Discrimination And Political Motivation Allegations Made Against Russia
On 20 September 2011, the First Section of the European Court of Human Rights...
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The Supreme Court Confirms That Arbitrators Are Not Employees
On 27 July 2011, the United Kingdom Supreme Court (“Supreme Court”) handed down its...
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Absolute Immunity In Hong Kong
A recent judgment of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal (“HKCFA”) in Democratic...
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Is an Arbitral Award an “Investment”?
On 31 March 2011, an ICSID Tribunal handed down its decision in GEA Group...
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The International Court of Justice, the Meaning of a “Dispute” and the Concept of “Negotiations”
On 1 April 2011, the International Court of Justice (the “Court”) delivered its judgment...
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