Colombia

Arbitral Award, Colombia, Money Laundering, Non-justiciability, Security Exceptions, Self-judging clauses

(University of Vienna)/ /Leave a comment

One of the most contentious issues in investor-state dispute settlement (“ISDS”), leading to an extensive scholarly debate, and yet one of the least decided legal questions in arbitral practice is the functioning and effect of security exceptions. One of the reasons for that is the relatively low number of investment treaties that include such provisions…

Colombia, Enforcement, ICSID Arbitration, Immunity, Latin America, Recognition

, , (Brigard Urrutia)/ /Leave a comment

Rusoro Mining Ltd. (“Rusoro”), a Canadian corporation, filed an investment claim against The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (“Venezuela”), pursuant to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (“ICSID”) Additional Facility Arbitration (“AF”) Rules of April 2006 (Case No. ARB(AF)/12/5). Rusoro claimed that, between 2009 and 2010, Venezuela expropriated its investment over mining rights and…

Colombia, Fair and Equitable Treatment, FET, Investment protection, Minimum Standard of Treatment

(University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, Civil Law Section)/ /Leave a comment

In a recent book and a report published by the OECD (“Expert contribution Prof Dumberry: Cost of inaction – arbitral practice in respect on FET”, Track 2 program, “Future of Investment Treaties”), I have examined the way tribunals have assessed the relationship between Fair and Equitable Treatment (“FET”) clauses and the Minimum Standard of Treatment…

Colombia, Environmental protection, Investment protection, Latin America, Minimum Standard of Treatment

, (Baker McKenzie)/ /Leave a comment

On February 28, 2024, the arbitral tribunal in the arbitration between Red Eagle Exploration Limited (“Red Eagle”) and Colombia (ICSID Case No. ARB/18/13) issued an award under the Canada-Colombia FTA (2008)) (“FTA”). In this post, we discuss the background to this decision as well as the tribunal’s ruling regarding the merits (minimum standard of treatment…

Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Latin America, Mexico

(Herbert Smith Freehills), (Barbosa, Müssnich & Aragão Advogados – BMA), and (BakerHostetler)/ /Leave a comment

The uncertainties faced by investors and stakeholders in 2023 was intensified by the notable shift in Latin America’s political regimes. The emergence of left-wing electoral victories echoed the political landscape of the 2000s, marked by ambiguity, volatility, and political risk. In the realm of arbitration, several jurisdictions have undergone significant developments. Mexico and Chilean arbitration…

Colombia, Construction, Damages, Energy, Latin America, Risk Management

(Universidad del Norte) and (Baker McKenzie)/ /Leave a comment
Asociación Latinoamericana de Arbitraje (ALARB)

On June 7, 2023, an ICC tribunal issued an award that will redefine risk allocation in the construction industry. The arbitration was initiated by Refinería de Cartagena S.A.S. (“Reficar”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ecopetrol S.A., which is in turn owned by the Republic of Colombia, against Chicago Bridge & Iron Company NV., CB&I UK…

Arbitration institution, CCB Bogota, Colombia, Interviews with Our Editors, Latin America

(Herbert Smith Freehills) and (BakerHostetler)/ /Leave a comment

Gustavo Piedrahita is an attorney with more than 15 years of professional experience. He received his law degree (LLB) from Universidad de la Sabana in Colombia and has a master’s degree in corporate law from Universidad Sergio Arboleda. He is a specialist in commercial, financial, and environmental law. Mr. Piedrahita acts as a domestic and…

BIT, Colombia, International dispute resolution, International Investment Arbitration, International Investment Law, Investment agreements, Investment protection, Latin America, Venezuela

(Sciences Po Law School - Paris)/ /Leave a comment

On 3 February 2023, Colombia and Venezuela entered into an Agreement for the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments (“Treaty”), with the objective of “incrementing the flow of transborder direct investment.” Both states are still to complete the ratification procedure for the Treaty to enter into force. This is an interesting development, especially considering the…

Arbitrability, Arbitral Award, Colombia, Enforcement, Latin America, Public Policy

(Independent Practitioner based in Bogota, Colombia)/ /Leave a comment

This post addresses the recognition and enforcement of foreign awards in Colombia and summarizes two important cases decided in 2022 by the Civil Chamber of the Colombian Supreme Court of Justice (“Court”) on the matter. These cases illustrate the process of analysis undertaken by the Court to decide requests for recognition and enforcement of foreign…

2022 in Review, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru

(Herbert Smith Freehills), (Barbosa, Müssnich & Aragão Advogados – BMA), and (BakerHostetler)/ /Leave a comment

After struggling with the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 remained a period of transition for Latin America.  New arbitration rules and protocols were adopted in jurisdictions such as Ecuador, Brazil and Mexico that reflected best practices born out of the limitations placed on arbitrations by the pandemic.  Other jurisdictions such as Colombia, Chile…

ALARB, Colombia, Costs in arbitral proceedings, Counsel fees, Investor-State arbitration, Latin America

(Mürrle Asesores)/ /1 Comment
Asociación Latinoamericana de Arbitraje (ALARB)

The 2022 report of Colombia’s National Agency for Legal Defense of the State (the “Agency”) provides insightful information about costs in investment arbitration (the “2022 Report”). Based on a statistical analysis, it (i) establishes current trends and criteria in connection with the allocation of costs in investment arbitration, and (ii) determines the average costs of an…

Colombia, Constitutional proceeding, Corporate disputes, Diversity, Latin America

(National Legal Defense Agency of the State of Colombia)/ /Leave a comment

The first Colombian Arbitration Week was launched last week in Bogotá. The closing event comprised a panel discussing new challenges and perspectives of arbitration in Colombia. The discussion was moderated by Anne Mürrle (Partner, Mürrle Asesores) with the following panelists Cristina Mejía (Partner, Baker McKenzie), José Miguel Mendoza (Partner, DLA Piper), David Araque (Partner, Gómez…

Colombia, Constitutional proceeding, Latin America, political reform, regulation

(Constitutional Court of Colombia)/ /Leave a comment

In the first edition of the Colombian Arbitration Week, the first panel discussed international arbitration in the context of the changing political situation in Latin America. This panel addressed, among other issues, the constitutionalization of arbitration and the impact of new governments in the region on arbitration matters.   Constitutionalization of arbitration and the existence…

Arbitral Award, Arbitration clause, Canada, Colombia, ICSID, ICSID Arbitration, International environmental disputes, Treaty Interpretation

(LALIVE) and (Homburger)/ /Leave a comment

Environmental concerns now play an increasing role in investment disputes. In this regard, this post analyses the interpretation of an environmental carve-out in an investment treaty in the decision on jurisdiction and liability in Eco Oro Minerals Corp. (“Eco Oro”) v. Colombia.   Background and Award This dispute arose from Colombia’s measures adopted in connection…

Colombia, Investment Arbitration, Latin America, Preliminary Issues, time-limits

, (Juan Felipe Merizalde Abogados)/ /Leave a comment

The recent Award in AFC v. Colombia dated 24 February 2022 provides new developments on the scope of Rule 41(5) of the Arbitration Rules of the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (the “ICSID Rules”). The Tribunal dismissed the claims of AFC Investment Solutions S.L. (the “Claimant”) after accepting a defense raised by…

2021 in Review, Arbitration Institutions and Rules, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Conflicts of interest, Ecuador, Enforcement, Latin America

(Herbert Smith Freehills)/ /Leave a comment

In 2021, Latin American countries continued to struggle with the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Accordingly, legislative and jurisprudential developments on arbitration-related issues were also affected given that the governments were focused on reactivating local economies, vaccinating their citizens, and launching tax and labor reforms.  In addition, presidential elections also marked political shifts for…

2021 in Review, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Energy, ICSID Convention, Investment Arbitration, Latin America, Mexico

(Locke Lord LLP)/ /Leave a comment

In 2021, we witnessed a number of interesting developments in the field of investment arbitration in Latin America. From Mexico’s actions potentially triggering numerous treaty claims, to Colombia’s four consecutive victories, to Ecuador’s return to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) Convention. Our authors did a tremendous job covering and sharing their…

América Móvil, Colombia, Mexico, Telecommunications, TLC

(Zuleta Abogados)/ /Leave a comment

On May 7, 2021 the arbitral tribunal in the arbitration between América Móvil S.A.B de C.V and the Republic of Colombia (the “Tribunal”) under the Colombia-Mexico Free Trade Agreement (the “FTA”) (ICSID Case No. ARB(AF)/16/5) issued the award. América Móvil initiated the arbitration on its own name and in representation of its subsidiary in Colombia,…

Colombia, Free Trade Agreements, Investment Arbitration, Latin America, United States

(Zuleta Abogados)/ /Leave a comment

Earlier this year, Colombia prevailed in two arbitrations under the Colombia-US Trade Promotion Agreement (“TPA”). The claims were filed by Alberto Carrizosa Gelzis, Felipe Carrizosa Gelzis and Enrique Carrizosa Gelzis (“Carrizosa brothers”) under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules, and by Astrida Benita Carrizosa (“Ms. Carrizosa”) under the ICSID Convention. In both arbitrations Ms. Carrizosa and the…

Colombia, Denial of Benefits, Italy, Model BIT

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First appearing in the 1970s, denial of benefits (DoB) clauses have proliferated, became more sophisticated, and evolved significantly and even beyond recognition as in the 2017 Colombian Model BIT. This post discusses such evolution and provides a taxonomy of the different versions of the clause.   Denial of Benefits Clauses in Outline Traditionally, DoB clauses…

Colombia, Dual Nationals, Investor-State arbitration, Jurisdiction, United States

, (GST LLP)/ /Leave a comment

The issue of dual nationals’ access to investor-state dispute settlement (“ISDS”) has once again taken the center stage through the recently issued Carrizosa v. Colombia award. Resolved under the auspices of the 2013 UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules, the PCA tribunal unanimously dismissed the entire case for lack of jurisdiction ratione personae, in accordance with the provisions…

Colombia, Counterclaims, Investment Arbitration, Latin America, Police Powers, Treaty Interpretation

(Esguerra Asesores Jurídicos)/ /Leave a comment

On 12 March 2021, a tribunal issued an award in the case of Naturgy v. Colombia (ICSID Case No. UNCT/18/1) under the Colombia-Spain BIT (2005) (the “BIT”). The decision is the first in a wave of four decisions decided in the first half of 2021 in favor of Colombia. Naturgy is noteworthy for its engagement…

Arbitration, Chile, Colombia, ICSID, Investment, Investor, Mexico, Peru, State

(Payet, Rey, Cauvi, Pérez Abogados) and (Ministry of Economy of Mexico)/ /Leave a comment

On November 26, 2020, the #YoungITATalks session took place with the participation of representatives from government offices of different countries: Mairée Uran Bidegain (Chile), María Paula Arenas Quijano (Colombia), Cindy Rayo Zapata (Mexico) and Ricardo Ampuero Llerena (Peru). All panelists are or, at some point, were responsible for organizing and preparing the defense of States…

2020 In Review, Annulment, Appeal, Arbitration Awards, Arbitration Institutions and Rules, Bankruptcy and arbitration, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Commercial Arbitration, Confidentiality, Corruption, COVID-19, Duty to Disclose, Emergency Measure, Enforcement, Judicial intervention, Latin America, Mexico, Peru, Transparency, Venezuela

(Herbert Smith Freehills)/ /Leave a comment

Corruption, annulment of arbitral awards and court intervention mark the main developments for 2020 in Latin America.  Our contributors this year reported on the most important judicial decisions and legislative measures impacting the legal framework of various jurisdictions in the region. A new ‘hot topic’ arising from the COVID-19 pandemic is the interplay between arbitration…