Case Details

Bright Mountain Pty. Ltd. v. Republic of the Union of Myanmar (ICSID Case No. ARB(AF)/25/1)

Subject of Dispute:

Mining concession
Economic Sector:

Oil, Gas & Mining
Instrument(s) Invoked:

Agreement Establishing the AANZFTA (ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area)
Applicable Rules:

ICSID Additional Facility - Arbitration Rules

(a) Original Proceeding

Claimant(s)/Nationality(ies):

Bright Mountain Pty. Ltd. (Australian)
Respondent(s):

Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Myanmar)
Date Registered:

April 21, 2025
Date of Constitution of Tribunal:

July 30, 2025

Composition of Tribunal

President:

V K RAJAH (Singaporean) - Appointed by the Secretary-General
Arbitrators:

Stephen L. DRYMER (Canadian) - Appointed by the Claimant(s)
J. Christopher THOMAS (Canadian) - Appointed by the Respondent(s)

Party Representatives

Claimant(s):

Clifford Chance, Perth, Australia
Respondent(s):

Prime Minister’s Office, Myanmar
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Myanmar
Ministry of Legal Affairs, Myanmar
Language(s) of Proceeding:

English
Status of Proceeding:

Pending
Latest Development:

December 19, 2025 -
The Claimant files a memorial on the merits.

No References Available.

(a) Original Proceeding

Date	Development
April 21, 2025	The Acting Secretary-General registers a request for the institution of arbitration proceedings.
May 9, 2025	Following appointment by the Claimant, Stephen L. Drymer (Canadian) accepts his appointment as arbitrator.
May 28, 2025	The Claimant files a request for the Secretary-General to appoint the arbitrators not yet appointed pursuant to Chapter 11, Article 23 of the AANZFTA.
June 26, 2025	Following appointment by the Secretary-General, J. Christopher Thomas (Canadian) accepts his appointment as arbitrator.
July 30, 2025	Following appointment by the Secretary-General, V K Rajah (Singaporean) accepts his appointment as presiding arbitrator.
July 30, 2025	The Tribunal is constituted in accordance with ICSID Additional Facility Rule 29. Its members are: V K Rajah (Singaporean), President, appointed by the Secretary-General; Stephen L. Drymer (Canadian), appointed by the Claimant; and J. Christopher Thomas (Canadian), appointed by the Secretary-General.
September 21, 2025	The Tribunal holds a first session by video conference.
October 16, 2025	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 1 concerning procedural matters.
December 19, 2025	The Claimant files a memorial on the merits.