​The ICSID Secretariat has released a discussion paper on Possible Improvements of the Legal Framework for ICSID Arbitration.

Among the improvements considered in the paper are changes to the Arbitration Rules to introduce procedures for the expedited consideration of requests for provisional measures and objections to unmeritorious claims; to increase transparency and public access to the proceedings; and to expand disclosure requirements for arbitrators.

The paper also considers the possibility of ICSID establishing a single optional mechanism for the appeal of awards in investor-State cases. As pointed out in the paper, this is a possibility that ICSID may pursue as an alternative to individual appeal mechanisms which may be created under different treaties by member countries.

Comments and suggestions regarding the discussion paper may be sent to the ICSID Secretariat by December 15, 2004. The contact details are as follows:

Phone: (202) 458-1534
Fax: (202) 522-2615 or (202) 522-2027
E-mail: icsidideas@worldbank.org
Contact person: Antonio R. Parra