International investment law

When a company goes abroad to invest, what are the risks the company takes – whether political or economic – and what are the rules of international law that protect foreign investments? The laws between the investing country and the host country as well as the interface between international investment law and other areas of international law are all covered in this course.

Module A: Evolution of the law of foreign investment

LWM33A

• Origins of the law of foreign investment: the early years
• National standards v. international minimum standard
• National treatment and the Calvo doctrine
• The duty to compensate and the Hull formula

Module B: International efforts to regulate foreign investment

LWM33B

• United Nations efforts
• Efforts made by the World Bank
• OECD efforts
• The role of the World Trade Organization

Module C: Regulation under bilateral and regional investment treaties (BITs)

LWM33C

• Origins of BITs
• The content of BITs
• Significance of BITs
• Regional treaties: NAFTA

Module D: The case-law on the treatment of foreign investment

LWM33D

• Fleshing out of the principles of the law of foreign investment
• Definition of expropriation and nationalisation
• Determination of the quantum of compensation
• Extending the frontiers of expropriation

Assessment

Each module will be assessed by a 45-minute unseen written examination.

Sequence

It is strongly recommended you complete Module A first, followed by module B.

How to apply 

You can apply to study a module individually as a standalone unit or as part of a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Laws qualification.

These modules also contribute towards the following specialist pathways for Laws:

• Commercial and Corporate Law
• Economic Regulation
• International Business Law
• International Dispute Resolution
• Law and Development
• Public International Law

Apply via Postgraduate Laws.

Study Material

• Study material: International investment law