IMI Investor-State Mediation Task Force Pilot Project

The first Investor-State Mediation Task Force Pilot Project was held on June 12-14 at ICSID in Washington DC, USA.

The 3-day training, designed jointly by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), and IMI, covered the context, framework and practice of Investor-State disputes, and provided experienced mediators with knowledge and skills to mediate investment disputes. The syllabus for the course was based on the IMI standards for Investor State mediators. Successful completion of the course will lead to an IMI Certification in Investor-State Competency and recognition as a CEDR Mediator (Investor-State Disputes). 

The course attendees all had prior mediation experience as well as knowledge of Investor State arbitration. They came from a wide range of jurisdiction from around the world.

Attendee Lucy Ferguson Reed gave the following comment on the course:

“Over my years as counsel and arbitrator in investor-state arbitration, I have become ever more convinced that many State-level disputes should be settled and, with the help of specialized mediators, could be settled. Kudos and thanks to IMI, CEDR, ICSID and ECT for implementing this serious inaugural ISDS mediator training.”

Another attendee, Mary Walker commented:

“I was fortunate to attend the first Investor-State Mediation Course sponsored by ICSID, the American University Washington College of Law, The Centre on International Commercial Arbitration, CEDR and IMI which was held at the World Bank in Washington in June 2017. 

Participants were required to know the Investor-State regime as well as being able to deal with complex multi-party disputes through mediation. The eminent trainers were involved in the development of the course and were on hand to assist during the intensive training this course offered. 

I cannot express the delight of being amongst colleagues eager to learn yet already knowledgeable in their chosen fields. The truly international and cross-cultural focus provided in this course via the trainers and participants who came from varied jurisdictions provided a rare opportunity to learn and hone one’s skills in this new area now opening for mediators. This is not an entry level mediation course but I highly recommend this course for experienced mediators and those who deal with Investor-State disputes.”  

It is anticipated that the course will run again in Europe and Asia. 

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