Article 24. Consent to Arbitration
1. Each Party consents to the submission of a claim to arbitration in accordance with the procedures set out in this Agreement. Failure to meet a condition precedent listed in Article 21 (Conditions Precedent to Submission of a Claim to Arbitration) nullifies that consent.
2. The consent given in paragraph 1 and the submission by an investor of a claim to arbitration satisfies the requirement of:
(a) Chapter II of the ICSID Convention (Jurisdiction of the Centre) and the ICSID Additional Facility Rules for written consent of the disputing parties; and
(b) Article II of the New York Convention for an agreement in writing.
Article 25. Arbitrators
1. Except in respect of a Tribunal established under Article 27 (Consolidation), and unless the disputing parties agree otherwise, the Tribunal shall be composed of three arbitrators. One arbitrator shall be appointed by each of the disputing parties and the third, who will be the presiding arbitrator, shall be appointed by agreement of the disputing parties.
2. Arbitrators should have expertise or experience in public international law, international trade or international investment rules, or the resolution of disputes arising under international trade or international investment agreements. They shall be independent of, and not be affiliated with or take instructions from, the disputing parties.
3. If the disputing parties do not agree on the remuneration of the arbitrators before the Tribunal is constituted, the prevailing ICSID rate for arbitrators shall apply.
4. If a Tribunal, other than a Tribunal established under Article 27 (Consolidation), has not been constituted within 90 days from the date that a claim is submitted to arbitration, a disputing party may ask the Secretary-General of ICSID to appoint the arbitrator or arbitrators not yet appointed. The Secretary-General of ICSID shall make the appointment at his or her own discretion and, to the extent practicable, this appointment shall be made in consultation with the disputing parties. The Secretary-General of ICSID may not appoint as presiding arbitrator a national of a Party.
Article 26. Agreement to Appointment of Arbitrators
For the purposes of Article 39 of the ICSID Convention and Article 7 of Schedule C to the ICSID Additional Facility Rules, and without prejudice to an objection to an arbitrator based on a ground other than nationality:
(a) the respondent Party agrees to the appointment of each individual member of a Tribunal established under the ICSID Convention or the ICSID Additional Facility Rules;
(b) an investor referred to in paragraph 1 of Article 20 (Claim by an Investor of a Party on Its Own Behalf or on Behalf of an Enterprise) may submit a claim to arbitration or continue a claim under the ICSID Convention or the ICSID Additional Facility Rules only if the investor agrees in writing to the appointment of each member of the Tribunal; and
(c) an investor referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 20 (Claim by an Investor of a Party on Its Own Behalf or on Behalf of an Enterprise) may submit a claim to arbitration or continue a claim under the ICSID Convention or the ICSID Additional Facility Rules only if the investor and the enterprise agree in writing to the appointment of each member of the Tribunal.
Article 27. Consolidation
1. A disputing party that seeks a consolidation order under this Article shall request that the Secretary-General of ICSID establish a Tribunal and shall specify in the request:
(a) the name of the respondent Party or investors against which the order is sought;
(b) the nature of the order sought; and
(c) the grounds for the order sought.
2. The disputing party shall deliver a copy of the request to the respondent Party or investors against which the order is sought.
3. Within 60 days of receiving the request, the Secretary-General of ICSID shall establish a Tribunal composed of three arbitrators. The Secretary-General of ICSID shall appoint one member who is a national of the respondent Party, one member who is a national of the Party of the investors that submitted the claims, and a presiding arbitrator who is not a national of a Party.
4. A Tribunal established under this Article shall be established under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules and shall conduct its proceedings in accordance with those Rules, except as modified by this Section.
5. If a Tribunal established under this Article is satisfied that claims submitted to arbitration under Article 23 (Submission of a Claim to Arbitration) have a question of law or fact in common, the Tribunal may, in the interest of fair and efficient resolution of the claims and after hearing the disputing parties, by order:
(a) assume jurisdiction over, and hear and determine together, all or part of the claims; or
(b) assume jurisdiction over, and hear and determine one or more of the claims, the determination of which it believes would assist in resolving the other claims.
6. Where a Tribunal has been established under this Article, an investor that has submitted a claim to arbitration under Article 23 (Submission of a Claim to Arbitration) and that has not been named in a request made under paragraph 1 may make a written request to the Tribunal that it be included in an order made under paragraph 5, and shall specify in the request:
(a) the name and address of the investor;
(b) the nature of the order sought; and
(c) the grounds for the order sought.
7. An investor referred to in paragraph 6 shall deliver a copy of its request to the disputing parties named in a request made under paragraph 1.
8. A Tribunal established under Article 23 (Submission of a Claim to Arbitration) does not have jurisdiction to decide a claim, or a part of a claim, over which a Tribunal established under this Article has assumed jurisdiction.
9. On application of a disputing party, a Tribunal established under this Article, pending its decision under paragraph 5, may order that the proceedings of a Tribunal established under Article 23 (Submission of a Claim to Arbitration) be stayed unless the latter Tribunal has already adjourned its proceedings.
Article 28. Documents to, and Participation of, the other Party
1. The respondent Party shall deliver to the other Party a copy of the notice of intent to submit a claim to arbitration and other documents within 30 days of the date those documents have been delivered to the respondent Party. The other Party is entitled, at its cost, to receive from the respondent Party a copy of the evidence that has been tendered to the Tribunal, copies of pleadings filed in the arbitration, and the written submissions of the disputing parties. The Party receiving such information shall treat the information as if it were the respondent Party.
2. The other Party has the right to attend hearings held under this Section. Upon written notice to the disputing parties, the other Party may make submissions to a Tribunal on questions of interpretation of this Agreement.
Article 29. Place of Arbitration
The disputing parties may agree on the place of arbitration under the arbitral rules applicable under paragraph 1 of Article 23 (Submission of a Claim to Arbitration) or paragraph 4 of Article 27 (Consolidation). If the disputing parties fail to agree, the Tribunal shall determine the place in accordance with the applicable arbitral rules, provided that the place shall be in the territory of a Party or of a non-Party that is a party to the New York Convention.
Article 30. Public Access to Hearings and Documents
1. Any Tribunal award under this Section shall be publicly available, subject to the redaction of confidential information. All other documents submitted to, or issued by, the Tribunal shall be publicly available unless the disputing parties agree otherwise, subject to the redaction of confidential information.
2. Hearings held under this Section shall be open to the public. The Tribunal may hold portions of hearings in camera to the extent necessary to ensure the protection of confidential information.
3. A disputing party may disclose to other persons in connection with the arbitral proceedings such unredacted documents as it considers necessary for the preparation of its case, but it shall ensure that those persons protect the confidential information in such documents.
4. The Parties may share with officials of their respective federal and sub-national governments all relevant unredacted documents in the course of dispute settlement under this Agreement, but they shall ensure that those persons protect the confidential information in such documents.
5. If a Tribunals order designates information as confidential and a Partys law on access to information requires public access to that information, the Partys law on access to information prevails. However, the Party should try to apply its law on access to information so as to protect information that the Tribunals order has designated as confidential.
Article 31. Submissions by a Non-disputing Party
A Tribunal has the authority to consider and accept written submissions from a person or entity that is not a disputing party but that nevertheless has a significant interest in the arbitration. The Tribunal shall ensure that a non-disputing party submission does not disrupt the proceedings and does not unduly burden or unfairly prejudice a disputing party.
Article 32. Governing Law
1. A Tribunal established under this Section shall decide the issues in dispute consistently with this Agreement and applicable rules of international law. A joint interpretation by the Parties of a provision of this Agreement shall bind a Tribunal established under this Section, and an award under this Section must be consistent with that interpretation.
2. Where a respondent Party asserts as a defence that the measure alleged to be a breach is within the scope of a reservation or exception set out in paragraph 1 of Article 16 (Reservations and Exceptions), Annex II or Annex III, on request of the respondent Party, the Tribunal shall request the joint interpretation of the Parties on the issue. Within 60 days of delivery of the request, the Parties shall submit in writing their interpretation to the Tribunal. If the Parties fail to submit an interpretation within 60 days of the Tribunals request, the Tribunal shall decide the issue. The joint interpretation is binding on the Tribunal.
Article 33. Expert Reports
1. Subject to paragraph 2, a Tribunal may appoint an expert to report to it in writing on a factual issue concerning any environmental, health, safety or other scientific matter raised by a disputing party, subject to such terms and conditions as the disputing parties may decide.
2. The Tribunal may not appoint an expert under paragraph 1 if the disputing parties agree that the Tribunal may not do so.
3. Paragraph 1 does not affect the appointment of other kinds of experts where the appointment is authorized by the applicable arbitration rules.
Article 34. Interim Measures of Protection and Final Award
1. A Tribunal may order an interim measure of protection to preserve the rights of a disputing party or to ensure that the Tribunals jurisdiction is made fully effective, including an order to preserve evidence in the possession or control of a disputing party or to protect the Tribunals jurisdiction. A Tribunal may not order attachment or enjoin the application of the measure alleged to constitute a breach referred to in Article 20 (Claim by an Investor of a Party on Its Own Behalf or on Behalf of an Enterprise). For purposes of this paragraph, an order includes a recommendation.
2. Where a Tribunal makes a final award against the respondent Party, the Tribunal may award, separately or in combination, only:
(a) monetary damages and any applicable interest; and
(b) restitution of property, in which case the award shall provide that the respondent Party may pay monetary damages and any applicable interest in lieu of restitution.
The Tribunal may also award costs in accordance with the applicable arbitration rules.
3. Subject to paragraph 2, where a claim is made under paragraph 2 of Article 20 (Claim by an Investor of a Party on Behalf of an Enterprise):
(a) an award of monetary damages and any applicable interest shall provide that the sum be paid to the enterprise;
(b) an award of restitution of property shall provide that restitution be made to the enterprise; and
(c) the award shall provide that it is made without prejudice to a right that a person may have in monetary damages or property awarded under subparagraphs (a) or (b) under a Partys domestic law.
4. A Tribunal may not order the respondent Party to pay punitive damages.
Article 35. Finality and Enforcement of an Award
1. An award made by a Tribunal has no binding force except between the disputing parties and in respect of that particular case.
2. Subject to paragraph 3 and the applicable review procedure for an interim award, a disputing party shall abide by and comply with an award without delay.
3. A disputing party may not seek enforcement of a final award until:
(a) in the case of a final award made under the ICSID Convention:
(i) 120 days have elapsed from the date the award was rendered, provided that a disputing party has not requested the award be revised or annulled, or
(ii) revision or annulment proceedings have been completed; and
(b) in the case of a final award under the ICSID Additional Facility Rules or
The UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules:
(i) 90 days have elapsed from the date the award was rendered and no disputing party has commenced a proceeding to revise, set aside or annul the award, or
(ii) a court has dismissed or allowed an application to revise, set aside or annul the award and there is no further appeal.
4. Each Party shall provide for the enforcement of an award in its territory.
5. A claim that is submitted to arbitration under this Section shall be considered to arise out of a commercial relationship or transaction for the purposes of Article I of the New York Convention.
Article 36. Receipts Under Insurance or Guarantee Contracts
In an arbitration under this Section, a respondent Party may not assert as a defence, counterclaim, right of setoff or otherwise that the investor has received or will receive, under an insurance or guarantee contract, indemnification or other compensation for all or part of its alleged damages.
Section D. State-to-state Dispute Settlement Procedures
Article 37. Disputes between the Parties
1. A Party may request consultations on the interpretation or application of this Agreement. The other Party shall give sympathetic consideration to the request. A dispute between the Parties concerning the interpretation or application of this Agreement shall, whenever possible, be settled amicably through consultations.
2. If a dispute cannot be settled through consultations, it shall, at the request of a Party, be submitted to an arbitral panel for decision.
3. An arbitral panel shall be constituted for each dispute. Within two months after receipt through diplomatic channels of the request for arbitration, each Party shall appoint one member to the arbitral panel. The two members shall then select a national of a nonParty who, upon approval by the two Parties, shall be appointed Chair of the arbitral panel. The Chair shall be appointed within two months from the date of appointment of the other two members of the arbitral panel.
4. If within the periods specified in paragraph 3 the necessary appointments have not been made, a Party may invite the President of the International Court of Justice to make the necessary appointments. If the President is a national of a Party or is otherwise prevented from discharging this function, the Vice-President shall be invited to make the necessary appointments. If the Vice-President is a national of either Party or is prevented from discharging this function, the Member of the International Court of Justice next in seniority, who is not a national of a Party, shall be invited to make the necessary appointments.
5. Arbitrators shall have expertise or experience in public international law, international trade or international investment rules, or the resolution of disputes arising under international trade or international investment agreements. They shall be independent of, and not be affiliated with or take instructions from, a Party.
6. Where a Party determines that the dispute involves measures relating to financial institutions, or to investors or investments of such investors in financial institutions, or where the disputing Party invokes paragraph 6 of Article 11 (Transfers) or paragraph 2 or 3 of Article 17 (General Exceptions), the arbitrators shall, in addition to the criteria set out in paragraph 5, have expertise or experience in financial services or practice, which may include the regulation of financial institutions.
7. The arbitral panel shall determine its own procedure. The arbitral panel shall reach its decision by a majority of votes. The decision is binding on both Parties. Unless otherwise agreed, the decision of the arbitral panel shall be rendered within six months of the appointment of the Chair.
8. Each Party shall bear the costs of its own member of the panel and of its representation in the arbitral proceedings. The costs related to the Chair and any remaining costs shall be borne equally by the Parties. The arbitral panel may, however, award that a higher proportion of costs be borne by one of the two Parties, and this award shall be binding on both Parties.
9. Within 60 days of the decision of an arbitral panel, the Parties shall agree on the manner in which to resolve their dispute. The agreement must normally implement the decision of the arbitral panel. If the Parties fail to agree, the Party bringing the dispute shall be entitled to compensation or to suspend benefits of equivalent value to those awarded by the arbitral panel.
Section E. Final Provisions
Article 38. Consultations and other Actions
1. A Party may request in writing consultations with the other Party regarding an actual or proposed measure or any other matter that it considers might affect the operation of this Agreement.
2. The consultations under paragraph 1 may address, inter alia, matters relating to:
(a) the implementation of this Agreement; or
(b) the interpretation or application of this Agreement.
3. Further to consultations under this Article, the Parties may take any action as they may agree, including making and adopting rules supplementing the applicable arbitral rules under Section C of this Agreement.
Article 39. Extent of Obligations
Each Party shall ensure that it takes all necessary measures to give effect to the provisions of this Agreement, including their observance, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, by its sub-national governments.
Article 40. Exclusions
Sections C and D of this Agreement do not apply to the matters set out in Annex IV.
Article 41. Application and Entry Into Force
1. The Annexes are an integral part of this Agreement.
2. Each Party shall notify the other in writing of the completion of the procedures required in its territory for the entry into force of this Agreement. This Agreement enters into force on the date of the later of these notifications.
3. This Agreement shall remain in force unless a Party notifies the other Party in writing of its intention to terminate it. The termination of this Agreement will be effective one year after notice of termination has been received by the other Party. In respect of investments or commitments to invest made prior to the date when the termination of this Agreement becomes effective, Articles 1 to 40 inclusive, as well as paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, shall remain in force for a period of 15 years.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.
DONE in two originals at , on this day of 3rd of March 2014, in the English and French languages, each version being equally authentic.
FOR CANADA
FOR THE REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
Attachments
Annex I
Reservations for Existing Measures and Liberalization Commitments
Indicative List of Canada
1. Investment Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 28 (1st Supp.)
Investment Canada Regulations, SOR/85-611
These measures set out the circumstances in which the acquisition of Canadian businesses by non-Canadians and the establishment of new businesses are subject to review. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Articles 4 (National Treatment), 8 (Senior Management, Board of Directors and Entry of Personnel) and 9 (Performance Requirements).
2. Canada Business Corporations Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-44
Canada Business Corporations Regulations, SOR/2001-512
Canada Cooperatives Act, S.C. 1998, c. 1
Canada Cooperatives Regulations, SOR/99-256
These measures set out that restrictions may be imposed on the shares of federally incorporated corporations and cooperatives to meet certain conditions relating to Canadian ownership or control. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 4 (National Treatment).
3. Canada Business Corporations Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-44
Canada Business Corporations Regulations, SOR/2001-512 Canada Cooperatives Act, S.C. 1998, c. 1
Canada Cooperatives Regulations, SOR/99-256
Special Acts of Parliament incorporating specific corporations
These measures contain provisions requiring that a certain percentage of the directors of federally incorporated corporations or cooperatives be resident Canadians. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 8 (Senior Management, Boards of Directors and Entry of Personnel).
4. Citizenship Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-29
Foreign Ownership of Land Regulations, SOR/79-416
These measures deal with foreign ownership of land. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 4 (National Treatment).
5. Air Canada Public Participation Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 35 (4th Supp.)
Canadian Arsenals Limited Divestiture Authorization Act, S.C. 1986, c. 20
Eldorado Nuclear Limited Reorganization and Divestiture Act, S.C. 1988, c. 41
Nordion and Theratronics Divestiture Authorization Act, S.C. 1990, c. 4
These measures impose constraints on non-residents with respect to the percentage of voting shares that they may hold in these corporations. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 4 (National Treatment).
6. Customs Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 1 (2nd Supp.)
Customs Brokers Licensing Regulations, SOR/86-1067
These measures set out residency requirements for customs brokers. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Articles 4 (National Treatment) and 8 (Senior Management, Board of Directors and Entry of Personnel).
7. Customs Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 1 (2nd Supp.)
Duty Free Shop Regulations, SOR/86-1072
These measures set out residency and other requirements for duty free shop operations. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 4 (National Treatment).
8. Cultural Property Export and Import Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-51
This measure sets out restrictions on foreign participation in the import or export of cultural property. It is reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 4 (National Treatment).
9. Patent Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-4 Patent Rules, SOR/96-423
These measures set out Canadian residency requirements for registered patent agents. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Articles 4 (National Treatment) and 9 (Performance Requirements).
10. Trade-marks Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. T-13 Trade-marks Regulations, SOR/96-195
These measures set out Canadian residency requirements for registered trademark agents. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Articles 4 (National Treatment) and 9 (Performance Requirements).
11. Canada Petroleum Resources Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 36 (2nd Supp.)
Territorial Lands Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. T-7
Federal Real Property and Federal Immovables Act, S.C. 1991, c. 50
Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Act, S.C. 1987, c. 3