投资者与国家争端解决程序中的透明度及第三方参与

Transparency and Third Party Participation in Investor-State Dispute Settlement Procedure

国际投资争端仲裁机制主要借鉴于商事仲裁制度,但是,投资者与东道国间的争端常常涉及公共利益和公共政策,这在国际商事仲裁中并不常见。因此,对政府措施是否与国际法相符予以不公开审查的传统方式,即暗箱操作的程序所招致的质疑和批评与日俱增。要增强国际投资争端仲裁程序的有效性和公众认可度,就应当提高程序透明度,特别是除了对商业秘密和政府信息的必要保护之外,公开仲裁裁决,有利于公共立法机构的进一步发展。尤其当仲裁程序涉及有关公共利益的重大问题时,应当允许第三方参与仲裁,并为此制定明确、具体的指导规则。

The system of investment dispute settlement has borrowed its main elements from the system of commercial arbitration.However,investorstate disputes often raise public interest issues which are usually absent from international commercial arbitration.As a result,the traditional manner in which governmental measures are reviewed for compliance with international law in a private setting,i.e.confidential in camera proceedings has come under increased scrutiny and criticism.That additional transparency,in particular in relation to the publication of arbitral awards,subject to necessary safeguards for the protection of confidential business and governmental information,is desirable to enhance effectiveness and public acceptance of international investment arbitration,as well as contribute to the further development of a public body of jurisprudence.Especially insofar as proceedings raise important issues of public interest,it may also be desirable to allow third party participation,subject however to clear and specific guidelines.