EU launches consultation on prevention and resolution of intra-EU investment disputes

On July 31, 2017 the European Commission launched a consultation on the prevention and amicable resolution of disputes between investors and public authorities within the European Union. According to Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis, responsible for Financial Stability, Financial Services and the Capital Markets Union, the objective is to investigate whether to set up a dispute settlement framework “to save time and money both for EU investors and national authorities.”

The consultation seeks to collect evidence on the need for such framework, its desirable characteristics and the need for greater clarity on the rights of EU investors. Among the policy options envisioned in the consultation’s Inception Impact Assessment are establishing a network of “Investment Contact Points,” an EU legal framework for mediation, and permanent mediation agencies in each member state. The questionnaire is open until November 3, 2017.