This course introduces students to the key components of public international law related to the protection of foreign investment, and considers the procedural means by which disputes about those protections are settled. Among the topics covered in the course include:

• policy rationales and legal frameworks for foreign investment

• historical background, including the liberalisation of foreign direct investment, the growth of international agreements related to foreign investment, and historic means of protection (including diplomatic protection and gunboat diplomacy)

• sources of international investment law

• standards of investment protection, including the minimum standard of treatment under customary international law, protection from expropriation, and protection from unfair and inequitable treatment

• investor-State dispute settlement, including arbitration and mediation

• remedies for breach of investment treaties

• the future of the international investment regime: challenges and opportunities

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Evaluate the historical and contemporary evolution of international investment law and arbitration.
2. Evaluate the legal rules, policies and policy considerations underlying this field of law, including the political, economic, and legal issues involved in the regulation of foreign investment and the impact of this area of law in society.
3. Integrate and apply the substantive and procedural elements of international investment law and arbitration.
4. Plan and execute legal research on issues relating to international investment law and arbitration
5. Select, apply and evaluate a range of approaches to conduct legal analysis and develop appropriate solutions to complex legal problems.

Research-Led Teaching

Esmé researches public international law, international dispute settlement, and international investment arbitration. For further details of Esmé's research and teaching interests, see: https://law.anu.edu.au/people/esme-shirlow

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Extensions late submission and penalties - https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/extensions-late-submission-and-penalties

Deferred examination: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/deferred-examinations

Special consideration: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/special-assessment-consideration

Penalties for excess word length: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/word-length-and-excess-word-penalties

Distribution of Grades Policy: Effective from Winter Session and Second Semester 2018 (and until further notice), the current Grading Distribution Policy has been suspended pending the development of a new policy. For further information about the interim policy please see:https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/grading

Further Information about the Course: is available from the course WATTLE page. Students are required to access the WATTLE site regularly throughout the course for details on weekly classes and any announcements and updates relating to the course.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to international investment law and arbitration
2	Introduction to international investment law and arbitration
3	Standards of investment protection
4	Standards of investment protection
5	Standards of investment protection
6	Standards of investment protection
7	Investor-State dispute settlement
8	Investor-State dispute settlement
9	State responses to investment claims
10	State responses to investment claims
11	Remedies and Enforcement
12	The future of international investment law and arbitration

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Optional Formative Assessment: Written Response to a Seminar Problem	0 %	23/08/2019	30/08/2019	1,2,3,4,5
Written Advice	45 %	20/09/2019	04/10/2019	2,3,4,5
Analytical Reflections	45 %	09/10/2019	18/10/2019	1,2,3,4,5
Oral Presentation	10 %	22/10/2019	25/10/2019	1,2,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Effective participation in this course will be achieved by a combination of:

1.   Reading, analysing and critically reflecting upon the readings each week;

2.   Engaging with the ideas and discussion generated in course seminars;

3.   Engaging in informal discussion with your peers and others about the issues and ideas encountered in this course (including outside of class).

Effective participation in this course will require around 7 hours of self-directed reading and study each week, and participation in 3 hours of face-to-face class activities. During their self-directed study for this course, students are encouraged to take detailed notes from readings and to prepare outlines of the course materials for their own reference. They are also encouraged to consider how the studied materials relate to contemporary political events, which will be discussed in more detail in class. Students are expected to prepare for class activities and to engage constructively in the discussion that takes place in seminars.

Assessment Task 1

Optional Formative Assessment: Written Response to a Seminar Problem

Details of Task: During weeks 3 to 6 of the course, students will be introduced to the rules of international law concerning the protection of foreign investment. This part of the course will be principally examined through the Written Advice (see Assessment Task 2, below). To assist students to prepare for this assessment task, they will be given an opportunity in seminars to apply the course content to problem-based questions (which will be discussed in class). Students may elect to submit a written answer (up to 1500 words) in response to one of these seminar questions from week 3-5 of the course in order to receive feedback about their approach prior to the release of the question for Written Advice. To receive feedback, students must submit their written answer by the Friday following the relevant seminar (i.e., to receive feedback on a response to the seminar question from week 3, the student would have to submit their written answer by the Friday of week 3).

Nature of Task: Optional. Failure to complete this task has no consequence, although it will be a missed opportunity for feedback before 50% of the course elapses.

Weighting: 0%

Word limit: 1,500 words

Due Date: 5:00pm on Friday in the week following the seminar, during Weeks 3-5 of the course - i.e. 9 August 2019 for the Week 3 seminar question; 16 August 2019 for the Week 4 seminar question; Friday 23 August for the Week 5 seminar question. No late submissions will be accepted. Please submit your answer by email to: esme.shirlow@anu.edu.au.

Estimated Return Date: Within one week of submission.

Criteria:

• Understanding of relevant law and legal policy
• Critical and analytical response to the topic
• Structure and organisation of ideas
• References to, and engagement with, relevant primary legal and secondary scholarly sources
• Written expression, including use of legal terminology, proof-reading, grammar, and punctuation

Assessment Task 2

Written Advice

Details of Task: Students will be given a problem scenario and asked to write an advice engaging with the legal issues raised in that scenario. This task assesses students' ability to recognise, explain and apply the substantive and procedural elements of international investment law and arbitration. It will test students' capacity to analyse hypothetical scenarios using the skills and materials they cover in the course, and their capacity to identify and develop appropriate solutions to complex scenarios. 

Nature of Task: Compulsory. Non completion of this task will result in a 0 for this assessment task.

Release date: 30 August 2019 (week 6)

Due date: 5:00pm on 20 September 2019 (week 7) via Turnitin. Late submission is not permitted. Submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Estimated Return date: 4 October 2019 (week 9) via Turnitin.

Weighting: 45%

Word limit: 2,700 words (including footnotes in AGLC/OSCOLA format)

Assessment Criteria:

• Understanding of relevant law and legal policy
• Critical and analytical response to the topic
• Structure and organisation of ideas
• References to, and engagement with, relevant primary legal and secondary scholarly sources
• Written expression, including use of legal terminology, proof-reading, grammar, and punctuation

Assessment Task 3

Analytical Reflections

Details of Task: This task will comprise prompts to which students will be required to develop a short analytical response. This task will assess students' ability to engage with the readings critically and reflectively, and to develop confidence in engaging intellectually with the materials and discussions about the materials covered in the course. It will assess students' ability to formulate and defend an argument that addresses core issues related to international investment law and arbitration. It will provide students with an opportunity to plan and execute legal research and to present their findings in written form.

Nature of Task: Compulsory. Non completion of this task will result in a 0 for this assessment task.

Release date: 23 September 2019 (week 8) via Wattle.

Due date: 5:00pm on 9 October 2019 (week 10). Late submission is not permitted. Submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Estimated Return date: 18 October 2019 (week 11) via Turnitin.

Weighting: 45%

Word limit: 2,800 words (Students will be given four prompts, with each response to be no more than 700 words in length, including footnotes in AGLC/OSCOLA format)

Assessment Criteria:

• Understanding of relevant law and legal policy
• Critical and analytical response to the topic
• Structure and organisation of ideas
• References to, and engagement with, relevant primary legal and secondary scholarly sources
• Written expression, including use of legal terminology, proof-reading, grammar, and punctuation

Assessment Task 4

Oral Presentation

Details of Task: This is an oral presentation, which will be held in Week 12 of the course and worth 10% of the overall grade. Students will be able to select from a list of selected course topics or themes to form the subject of the oral presentations.

Nature of Task: Compulsory. Non completion of this task will result in a 0 for this assessment task.

Release date: Students will be able to select a topic for their oral presentation from week 8, and the topics selection/sign-up for the oral presentations will stay open to the middle of Week 11.

Due date: Oral presentations will be delivered during the seminar in Week 12. Due to the nature of the task, late presentations are not permitted.

Estimated Return date: 25 October 2019 via Wattle.

Weighting: 10%

Length: 10 minutes, followed by class discussion

Assessment Criteria:

• Understanding of relevant law and legal policy
• Critical and analytical response to the topic
• Structure and organisation of ideas
• Oral expression and communication skills, including use of appropriate legal terminology

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

None of the assessment tasks allow for late submission without an extension. Late submission is not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students