Month: December 2016

By Victor Looi

The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (“SIAC”) revised its arbitration rules earlier this year as part of its efforts to be among the world’s leading arbitration institutions. Numerous key changes were made to enhance the efficiency and cost effectiveness of arbitration. This blog examines several new or changed provisions in the SIAC Rules 2016 that are of great relevance to arbitration practitioners and users alike.

Continue reading Staying Relevant and Well-Regarded: Changes to the SIAC Rules

by Ruth Marie Mosch at Mosch Legal

I.    Introduction
The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (“FTA”) is meant to ensure sustainable growth by liberalising trade and securing stable jobs. Negotiations on the FTA have been concluded and the text of the Treaty has recently been published.
The FTA implements a new approach to investment protection by ensuring the EU’s and Vietnam’s right to regulate and to pursue legitimate public policy objectives such as the protection of health, safety or the environment.
Since the Treaty of Lisbon entered into force on 1 December 2009, foreign direct investments have been included in the competence of the EU’s commercial policy. Since then, foreign investment has become part of free trade agreements negotiated by the EU. Accordingly, existing bilateral investment treaties (BITs) between Vietnam and EU member states will be replaced by the FTA once it enters into force.

Continue reading Investment Arbitration in the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement – The Times They Are a Changin’