Mediation in investor-state disputes: A unicorn in the wild?

Mediation has been gaining traction and is increasingly discussed and encouraged, not only for the resolution of commercial disputes but also in the context of Investor-State cases. 

This interest is driven by several factors, including cost-effectiveness, procedural flexibility, the potential to preserve relationships, the consideration of non-legal factors, and the ability to address politically sensitive issues. Moreover, growing guidance and newly developed tools have become available to support the use of mediation in investment disputes. However, although the benefits of mediation - whether as an alternative to or in conjunction with arbitration - are widely acknowledged, this method is rarely put into actual practice. Is investment mediation the unicorn of dispute resolution - widely admired in theory, yet rarely expected to appear in practice?

Join us for an engaging discussion that explores the growing interest in mediation within the field of investor-state dispute settlement. This session will shed light on the practical barriers and potential pathways for making investment mediation a more viable and frequently used option. Open to academics, practitioners, policymakers, and students, the webinar provides a timely opportunity to reflect on the evolving landscape of international dispute resolution.

About the speaker

Celine Lange is leading the development of the International Dispute Resolution programme at CIL. She graduated in 2019 with a LLM from the National University of Singapore, where she specialised in International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution. Celine also holds a Master’s Degree in Law from Strasbourg University, France, specialising in International Human Rights Law, and a Master’s Degree from the Paris Institute of Political Studies (IEP Paris). 

Prior to joining CIL, Celine worked in private practice, at the Arbitration Chambers Singapore, and previously at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Celine has lived in New York as well, where she worked at Columbia University Law School to assist a Professor of Human and Constitutional Rights. She is also involved in special projects for CIL’s Investment Law and Policy programme.