Canada - Côte d'Ivoire BIT (2014)
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2. Arbitrators shall have expertise or experience in public international law, international investment or international trade rules, or the resolution of disputes arising under international investment or international trade agreements. Arbitrators 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:

1. 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;

2. an investor referred to in Article 20(1) (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

3. an investor referred to in Article 20(2) (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 respondent Party and the investors that submitted the claims, 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 is sought.

7. An investor referred to in paragraph 6 shall deliver a copy of its request to the disputing parties named in a request 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 argument of the disputing parties. The Party receiving such information shall treat the information as if it were a 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 Article 23(1) (Submission of a Claim to Arbitration) or 27(4) (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 third State that is a party to the New York Convention.

Article 30. Public Access to Hearings and Documents

1. A 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 otherwise agree, 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 those documents.

4. The Parties may share with officials of their respective national and sub-national governments all relevant unredacted documents in the course of dispute settlement under this Section, but they shall ensure that those persons protect the confidential information in those documents.

5. If a Tribunal's order designates information as confidential and a Party's law on access to information requires public access to that information, the Party's 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 Tribunal's 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 with 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 Annex II or III, on the request of the respondent Party, the Tribunal shall request the joint interpretation of the Parties on the issue. Within 60 days of the delivery of the request, the Parties shall submit in writing their joint interpretation to the Tribunal. The joint interpretation of the Parties is binding on the Tribunal. If the Parties fail to submit their joint interpretation within 60 days of the Tribunal's request, the Tribunal shall decide the issue.

Article 33. Expert Reports

1. Subject to paragraph2, aTribunal may appoint an expert to report to it in writing on a factual issue concerning 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 Tribunal's jurisdiction is made fully effective, including an order to preserve evidence in the possession or control of a disputing party or to protect the Tribunal's 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 anEnterprise). For the 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 Article 20(2) (Claim by an Investor of a Party on Behalf of anEnterprise):

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 paragraphs (a) or (b) under a Party's 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

A respondent Party shall not object at any stage of the arbitration procedure or the execution of an arbitration award, that the disputing 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 third State 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 the said function, the Vice-President shall be invited to make the necessary appointments. If the Vice-President is a national of a Party or is otherwise 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 a Party invokes Article 11(6) (Transfers), 17(2) or 17(3) (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 arbitral 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 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 an action as they may agree, including making and adopting rules supplementing the applicable arbitral rules under Section C (Settlement of Disputes between an Investor and the Host Party) 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 (Settlement of Disputes between an Investor and the Host Party) and D (State-to-State Dispute Settlement Procedures) of this Agreement do not apply to the matters set out in Annex IV.

Article 41. Application and Entry Into Force

1. All 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.

Conclusion

In Witness Whereof, the undersigned, duly authorised by their respective governments, have signed this Agreement.

Done at..... on this..... day of 30 November 2011, in two originals, the English and French languages, each version being equally authentic.

For the Government of Canada

For the Government of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire

Attachments

Annex B.10

Expropriation

The Parties confirm their shared understanding that:

1. indirect expropriation results from a measure or a series of measures of a Party that has an effect equivalent to direct expropriation without formal transfer of title or outright seizure;

2. the determination of whether a measure or a series of measures of a Party constitutes an indirect expropriation requires a case-by-case, fact-based inquiry that considers, among other factors:

a. the economic impact of the measure or the series of measures, although the sole fact that a measure or a series of measures of a Party has an adverse effect on the economic value of an investment does not establish that an indirect expropriation has occurred,

b. the extent to which the measure or the series of measures interferes with distinct, reasonable investment-backed expectations, and

c. the character of the measure or the series of measures;

3. except in rare circumstances, such as when a measure or a series of measures is so severe in the light of its purpose that it cannot be reasonably viewed as having been adopted and applied in good faith, a non-discriminatory measure of a Party that is designed and applied to protect legitimate public welfare objectives, such as health, safety and the environment, does not constitute indirect expropriation.

Attachments

Annex C.21

Conditions Precedent to the Submission of a Claim or to the Continuation of Proceedings by a Tribunal Established under Section C (Settlement of Disputes between an Investor and the Host Party): Conditions Specific to a Party

1. An investor may submit a claim regarding a taxation measure of Côte d'Ivoire only if:

a. the investor uses the domestic administrative procedure applicable to taxation measures; and

b. the investor determines that the internal administrative procedures is not available, or that a dispute still exists four months after the investor initiated the domestic administrative procedure.

It is understood that the claim must also meet the conditions precedent to submission of a claim to arbitration in Section C (Settlement of Disputes between an Investor and the Host Party) and Article 14 (Taxation Measures).

2. If an investor submits a claim without meeting the conditions set out in subparagraphs 1 (a) and (b), but the claim raises the issue as to whether a given measure in Côte d'Ivoire is a taxation measure, and the taxation authorities of the Parties seized of the claim under Article 14(7) (Taxation Measures):

a. agree that the claim concerns a taxation measure; or

b. do not agree, and the Tribunal established under Section C (Settlement of Disputes between an Investor and the Host Party) decides that the claim concerns a taxation measure;

The Tribunal established under Section C (Settlement of Disputes between an Investor and the Host Party) may not proceed until the conditions set out in subparagraphs 1 (a) and (b) are met.

Attachments

Illustrative Schedule of Canada

1. Investment Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 28 (1st Supp.)

Investment Canada Regulations, SOR/85-611

These measures deal with the acquisition and establishment of businesses by non-Canadians and the establishment of new businesses by non-Canadians may be 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 Canada Corporations Act, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-32

The Canada Business Corporations Act provides for constraints on shares of businesses and cooperatives incorporated pursuant to Canadian legislation to maintain participation requirements and Canadian ownership and control levels set out in the Canada Business Corporations Regulations. These measures 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 Canada Corporations Act, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-32

Special Acts of Parliament incorporating specific companies

These measures contain provisions dealing with the nationality of senior management or directors of Canadian businesses. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 8 (Senior Management, Board 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 set out non-resident ownership restrictions on the voting shares of certain companies. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 4 (National Treatment).

6. Customs Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 1 (2 nd 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).

  • Section   A Definitions 1
  • Article   1 Definitions 1
  • Section   B Substantive obligations 1
  • Article   2 Scope 1
  • Article   3 Promotion of investment 1
  • Article   4 National treatment 1
  • Article   5 Most-favoured-nation treatment 1
  • Article   6 Minimum standard of treatment 1
  • Article   7 Compensation for losses 1
  • Article   8 Senior management, boards of directors and entry of personnel 1
  • Article   9 Performance requirements 1
  • Article   10 Expropriation 1
  • Article   11 Transfers 1
  • Article   12 Transparency 2
  • Article   13 Subrogation 2
  • Article   14 Taxation measures 2
  • Article   15 Health, safety and environmental measures and corporate social responsibility standards 2
  • Article   16 Reservations and exceptions 2
  • Article   17 General exceptions 2
  • Article   18 Denial of benefits 2
  • Section   C Settlement of disputes between an investor and the host party 2
  • Article   19 Purpose 2
  • Article   20 Claim by an investor of a party on its own behalf or on behalf of an enterprise 2
  • Article   21 Conditions precedent to submission of a claim to arbitration 2
  • Article   22 Special rules regarding financial services 2
  • Article   23 Submission of a claim to arbitration 2
  • Article   24 Consent to arbitration 2
  • Article   25 Arbitrators 2
  • Article   26 Agreement to appointment of arbitrators 3
  • Article   27 Consolidation 3
  • Article   28 Documents to, and participation of, the other party 3
  • Article   29 Place of arbitration 3
  • Article   30 Public access to hearings and documents 3
  • Article   31 Submissions by a non-disputing party 3
  • Article   32 Governing law 3
  • Article   33 Expert reports 3
  • Article   34 Interim measures of protection and final award 3
  • Article   35 Finality and enforcement of an award 3
  • Article   36 Receipts under insurance or guarantee contracts 3
  • Section   D State-to-state dispute settlement procedures 3
  • Article   37 Disputes between the parties 3
  • Section   E Final provisions  3
  • Article   38 Consultations and other actions 3
  • Article   39 Extent of obligations 3
  • Article   40 Exclusions 3
  • Article   41 Application and entry into force 3
  • Illustrative schedule of canada 3
  • Illustrative schedule of côte d'ivoire 4
  • Schedule of canada 4
  • Schedule of côte d'ivoire 4