2012 Reports

The (lack of) women arbitrators in investment treaty arbitration

Van Harten, Gus

Investment treaty arbitration appears to be a boy's club. Just 4% of individuals appointed as arbitrators in known cases to May 2010 were women. This casts doubt on the system's ad hoc and partly-privatized appointments process. A roster-based model would enable a more deliberative and merit-based process of appointments and ensure public accountability and independence in the system.