Plama Consortium Limited v. Republic of Bulgaria

Abstract

Jurisdiction — Energy Charter Treaty, 1994, Article 26 — ICSID Convention, Article 25 — Whether ICSID Tribunal having jurisdiction to decide on merits of Claimant’s claims for alleged breaches of Part III of Energy Charter Treaty — Consent to arbitration — Relevance of Article 17(1) of Energy Charter Treaty — Burden of proof — Whether allegation of treaty violation sufficient to establish jurisdiction — Whether jurisdictional requirements of Articles 1 and 26 of Energy Charter Treaty satisfied

Jurisdiction — Bulgaria-Cyprus Bilateral Investment Treaty, 1987 — Consent to arbitration — Most-favoured-nation provision — Interpretation — Scope — Reading of MFN provision with other BITs to which Bulgaria Contracting Party — Whether providing Respondent’s consent to ICSID arbitration — Whether entitling Claimant to rely on dispute settlement provisions in these other BITs

Treaties — Energy Charter Treaty, 1994 — Article 17(1) — Whether State’s exercise of right of denial under Article 17(1) having retrospective effect — Whether Claimant company having substantial business activity in Cyprus — Ownership or control of Claimant

Provisional measures — ICSID Convention, Article 47 — ICSID Arbitration Rule 39(1) — Preservation of rights relating to dispute — Urgent need for relief — Irreparable harm