Case Details

Highbury International AVV, Compañía Minera de Bajo Caroní AVV, and Ramstein Trading Inc. v. Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (ICSID Case No. ARB/23/27)

Subject of Dispute:

Mining concession
Economic Sector:

Oil, Gas & Mining
Instrument(s) Invoked:

BIT Netherlands - Venezuela, Republica Bolivariana de 1991
Applicable Rules:

ICSID Convention - Arbitration Rules

(a) Original Proceeding

Claimant(s)/Nationality(ies):

Highbury International AVV (Dutch), Compañía Minera de Bajo Caroní AVV (Dutch), Ramstein Trading Inc. (Panamanian)
Respondent(s):

Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Venezuelan)
Date Registered:

July 21, 2023
Date of Constitution of Tribunal:

April 16, 2024

Composition of Tribunal

President:

David UNTERHALTER (Maltese, South African) - Appointed by the Parties
Arbitrators:

Claudia SALOMON (U.S.) - Appointed by the Claimant(s)
Zachary DOUGLAS (Australian, Swiss) - Appointed by the Respondent(s)

Party Representatives

Claimant(s):

Alston & Bird, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Mezgravis & Associates, Caracas, Venezuela
Respondent(s):

Procuraduría General de la República, Caracas, Venezuela
FD & Asociados, Caracas, Venezuela
Language(s) of Proceeding:

English,Spanish
Status of Proceeding:

Pending
Latest Development:

December 2, 2025 - Each party files a post-hearing brief.

No References Available.

(a) Original Proceeding

Date	Development
July 21, 2023	The Secretary-General registers a request for the institution of arbitration proceedings.
November 10, 2023	Following appointment by the Claimant, Claudia Salomon (U.S.) accepts her appointment as arbitrator.
November 13, 2023	Following appointment by the Respondent, Zachary Douglas (Australian/Swiss) accepts his appointment as arbitrator.
April 15, 2024	Following appointment by agreement of the parties, David Unterhalter (South African/Maltese) accepts his appointment as presiding arbitrator.
April 16, 2024	The Tribunal is constituted in accordance with Article 37(2)(a) of the ICSID Convention. Its members are: David Unterhalter (South African/Maltese), President, appointed by agreement of the parties; Claudia Salomon (U.S.), appointed by the Claimants; and Zachary Douglas (Australian/Swiss), appointed by the Respondent.
June 13, 2024	The Tribunal holds a first session by video conference.
June 20, 2024	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 1 concerning procedural matters.
September 18, 2024	The Claimants file a memorial on the merits and jurisdiction.
December 9, 2024	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 2 on third-party funding.
December 20, 2024	The Respondent files objections to jurisdiction.
February 24, 2025	The Claimants file a counter-memorial on jurisdiction.
March 24, 2025	Following exchanges between the parties, each party files a request for the Tribunal to decide on production of documents.
April 22, 2025	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 3 concerning production of documents.
May 5, 2025	The Respondent files a request for the Tribunal to decide on production of documents.
May 8, 2025	The Claimants file observations on the Respondent’s request for the Tribunal to decide on production of documents.
May 21, 2025	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 4 concerning production of documents.
June 5, 2025	The Respondent files a reply on jurisdiction.
July 21, 2025	The Claimants file a rejoinder on jurisdiction.
September 19, 2025	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 5 concerning the organization of the hearing.
October 6, 2025	The Tribunal holds a hearing on jurisdiction in person in Paris and by video conference.
October 14, 2025	The Respondent files a request for the Tribunal to decide on the admissibility of new evidence.
October 16, 2025	The Claimants file observations on the Respondent’s request of October 14, 2025.
October 23, 2025	The Respondent files a request for security for costs.
October 23, 2025	The Respondent files a response to the Claimants’ observations of October 16, 2025.
October 28, 2025	The Claimants file further observations on the Respondent’s request of October 14, 2025.
October 31, 2025	The Claimants file observations on the Respondent’s request for security for costs.
November 13, 2025	The Respondent files a response to the Claimants’ observations of October 31, 2025.
November 20, 2025	The Claimants file further observations on the Respondent’s request for security for costs.
December 2, 2025	Each party files a post-hearing brief.