Latin America

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…

Arbitrator Bias, Arbitrator Challenges, arbitrators’ conduct, Brazil, Latin America, Transparency

(FGV Law SP - Law School of São Paulo) and (Independent Arbitrator)/ /Leave a comment

The Center for Studies and Research in Arbitration from the University of São Paulo (“CEPArb-USP”) has recently made public the findings of its pioneer empirical research on challenges of arbitrators in domestic proceedings in Brazil. The initiative analyzed data from challenges in proceedings administered by the Câmara de Mediação e Arbitragem Empresarial – Brasil (CAMARB)….

Consistency, Exchange rate, Investment Arbitration, Latin America, quantum, Transfer of Funds Clauses

(Baker McKenzie)/ /Leave a comment

Inconsistent decisions have long been a major criticism in investment arbitration. This does not only pertain to decisions on procedure, jurisdiction or merits but also to quantum issues. This contribution will center around one unlikely connection that has the potential to enhance consistency and predictability in an area of quantification of damages in investment arbitration:…

Costs in arbitral proceedings, Ecuador, Investment Arbitration, Latin America, State defense

, (Carmigniani Pérez Abogados)/ /Leave a comment

On November 23, 2021, Ecuador’s Attorney General (“AG”), Iñigo Salvador Crespo announced the creation of a new institutional framework for handling disputes brought against the state and state entities with the vision of preventing and reducing litigation, particularly costly international arbitrations. The Institutional Strengthening of the Attorney General’s Office Project (“PROFIP” for its initials in…

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…

Awards, Enforcement, Latin America, New York Arbitration Week, United States Courts, USA

, (Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP)/ /Leave a comment

On November 16, 2021, during New York Arbitration Week 2021, several committees of the New York City Bar Association hosted a panel discussion entitled “Dispelling Myths:  Enforcement of Latin American Arbitration Awards in the United States and U.S. Arbitration Awards in Latin America,” which focused on enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in the United States,…

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…

Arbitration Act, Ecuador, International Commercial Arbitration, Latin America, regulation

(Tobar ZVS)/ /Leave a comment

Ecuador´s Arbitration and Mediation Law (“AML”) was enacted in 1997 and amended in 2015. However, the AML did not count with regulations until August 2021. Given that some provisions contained in the AML are vague, arbitrators, counsel and judges interpreted them in different ways, many of them in contradiction with the very nature of the…

Arbitration Institutions and Rules, Brazil, Case Management, Commercial Arbitration, Institutional Arbitration, Interview of our editors, Interviews with Our Editors, Latin America

(Locke Lord LLP) and (Herbert Smith Freehills)/ /Leave a comment

Welcome to the Kluwer Arbitration Blog, Ms. Coelho!  We are grateful for this opportunity to learn more about the Center for Arbitration and Mediation of the Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada (CAM-CCBC), and its administration of complex disputes, as well as about the attractiveness of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro as seats for international arbitration. …

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…

Annulment, Constitutional Court, Ecuador, Latin America, Revision of Award

(Tobar ZVS)/ /Leave a comment

I .The Annulment of an Arbitral Award under Ecuadorian Law Pursuant to article 30 of the Arbitration and Mediation Law (AML), arbitral awards are final and binding for the parties. In other words, parties cannot file recourses to challenge an award, with the exception of a clarification or extension petition before the arbitral tribunal. However,…

Bankruptcy, Brazil, COVID-19, Insolvency, International Commercial Arbitration, Latin America

(Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan UK LLP)/ /Leave a comment

On 24 December 2020, the New Brazilian Insolvency Act (“NBIA” – a slight misnomer, as the Act is in fact an amendment to an existing statute) was published in the official Brazilian gazette. The act implements important modifications in the field, including a few related to arbitration, which came into force on 23 January 2021….

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…

Arbitration Institutions and Rules, Commercial Arbitration, COVID-19, Interview of our editors, Interviews with Our Editors, Latin America, Mexico

(Herbert Smith Freehills) and (Locke Lord LLP)/ /Leave a comment

Welcome to the Kluwer Arbitration Blog, Ms. Sámano!  We are grateful for this opportunity to learn more about the Arbitration Center of Mexico – CAM; the type of disputes it handles and the way it is addressing recent developments, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the adoption of new policies from the Andrés Manuel López…

Annulment, Appeal, Chile, Latin America, Party autonomy

, , (Cuatrecasas)/ /Leave a comment

The Chilean Supreme Court recently issued a decision that, on its face, respects party autonomy in international arbitration. But, it could do more harm than good. On September 14, 2020, the Chilean Supreme Court (the “Court”) entered a final judgement in the case CCF SUDAMERICA SPA, Rol Nº 19568-2020 (“CCF Sudamericana” or the “Decision”). The…

2020 In Review, Appellate Court, Burden of proof, Colombia, Corruption, Dominican Republic, International Investment Arbitration, Interpretation, Latin America, Lava Jato, Mexico, Odebrecht investigation, Peru, USMCA, Venezuela

(Locke Lord LLP)/ /Leave a comment

In 2020, we witnessed a number of interesting developments in the field of investment arbitration in Latin America. From the entry into force of the United States – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA) signed over a year ago, as well as numerous cases and actions still arising from the Odebrecht scandal that became public back…

Bankruptcy, Bankruptcy and arbitration, COVID-19, Insolvency, Latin America

(Herbert Smith Freehills LLP)/ /Leave a comment
Herbert Smith Freehills

One of the many consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic and the world-wide economic crisis has been the sharp increase of insolvency filings before national courts. Latin America is no stranger to this situation, having been part of the surge in business insolvencies. Brazil, in particular, has been a recent insolvency hotspot within Latin America. This…

Consent, Investment Arbitration, Latin America, Treaty drafting, Treaty Interpretation

(Esguerra Asesores Jurídicos)/ /Leave a comment

A recent partial award on jurisdiction in Michael Lee-Chin v. the Dominican Republic debated the interpretation of dispute resolution clauses and State consent to investment arbitration. While interpreting the Free Trade Agreement between the Caribbean Community and the Dominican Republic (“CARICOM-DR FTA”), the majority concluded that Respondent gave advance consent to submit disputes to one…

Corruption, Latin America, Peru, Red flags standard, Standard of Proof

(GST LLP) and (Georgetown University Law Center)/ /Leave a comment

The Rutas de Lima v. Metropolitan Municipality of Lima case shows how arbitral tribunals deal with corruption allegations in disputes related to government contracts. The tribunal, chaired by current ICC International Court of Arbitration President, Alexis Mourre, issued its Award this May, which came to light when the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima (the “Municipality”) requested…

CAFTA, Damages, Guatemala, Latin America, Recidivism

(Eversheds Sutherland) and (Legalsa)/ /Leave a comment

US energy company TECO Guatemala Holdings, LLC (“TECO”) was awarded additional damages in a resubmitted ICSID claim against the Republic of Guatemala under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (“DR-CAFTA”).1) TECO Guatemala Holdings, LLC v. Republic of Guatemala (ICSID Case No. ARB/10/23), Award, 13 May 2020. On 13 May 2020, the resubmission Tribunal…

Announcement, Colombia, Due process, Latin America, New York Convention

(Universidad del Norte) and (Refinería de Cartagena S.A.S.)/ /Leave a comment

On February 27, 2020, the Third Division of the Colombian Council of State (“Court”) issued a judgment resolving an annulment petition submitted by a state-owned company’s subsidiary against an international arbitral award. In its judgment, the Court decided to annul the award due to the Tribunal’s failure to comply with the agreed arbitral procedure. In…

Annulment, conflict of interest, Costa Rica, Duty to Disclose, Latin America

(Busse Disputes)/ /Leave a comment

The Costa Rican court in charge of deciding upon arbitral matters recently set aside an award on the ground of the arbitrator’s failure to disclose a circumstance that could be found in the case file. In a five-page judgment dated June 27, 2019,1)Judgment from 27 June 2019, PH Chucás S.A. v. Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad,…

Ecuador, Enforcement, Exequatur, International Award, Latin America

(Tobar ZVS)/ /Leave a comment

In 2015, Ecuador changed its General Organic Code of Processes (procedural law or COGEP) and imposed an exequatur procedure for foreign awards. The Law of Productive Development, Attraction of Investment, Employment Generation and Tax Stability (Investment Law) enacted in 2018 repealed this requirement. Nevertheless, despite this amendment, there are still practical difficulties that parties face…

Construction arbitration, Corruption, Latin America, Res Judicata, Standard of Proof, Third Party

, (Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría)/ /Leave a comment

The Ruta del Sol arbitral award was one of the most important awards in 2019 in Colombia and possibly in the entire region. The arbitral tribunal sitting to resolve the Ruta del Sol arbitral proceeding (the “Tribunal”) determined the consequences of securing an infrastructure concession contract in Colombia through corrupt practices and served as pioneers…