Joshua Paine
@jpaine.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer in Law, Univ. of Bristol. Int'l economic law & int'l dispute settlement. ISDS, BITs, PTAs, WTO, sometimes ICJ and UNCLOS.
https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/persons/joshua-paine
New book: https://t.co/VmaFLRiOrV
https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/persons/joshua-paine
New book: https://t.co/VmaFLRiOrV
Pinned
Joshua Paine
@jpaine.bsky.social
· Dec 18
CONTROL MECHANISMS IN MULTILATERAL INVESTMENT TRIBUNALS: NAVIGATING PROCEDURAL MULTILATERALISM AND SUBSTANTIVE BILATERALISM | International & Comparative Law Quarterly | Cambridge Core
CONTROL MECHANISMS IN MULTILATERAL INVESTMENT TRIBUNALS: NAVIGATING PROCEDURAL MULTILATERALISM AND SUBSTANTIVE BILATERALISM - Volume 73 Issue 4
doi.org
I have a new long article out in International & Comparative Law Quarterly on ‘Control Mechanisms in Multilateral Investment Tribunals: Navigating Procedural Multilateralism and Substantive Bilateralism’ (open access) doi.org/10.1017/S002... Short 🧵based on the asbtract /1
Reposted by Joshua Paine
Remember "WTO reform"? Norway Ambassador Petter Ølberg on his latest consultations. Full text ⬇️ contains details of what's been discussed, eg subsidies and voting in the absence of consensus. Short preface co-authored with @bobwolfe.bsky.social
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/text-olbergs...
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/text-olbergs...
Text: ‘facilitator’ Ølberg’s November 2025 report on WTO reform talks
Any notion that these will be resolved by the next Ministerial Conference has disappeared. Instead, Ølberg speaks of scoping issues and identifying options to present to ministers
tradebetablog.wordpress.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Remember "WTO reform"? Norway Ambassador Petter Ølberg on his latest consultations. Full text ⬇️ contains details of what's been discussed, eg subsidies and voting in the absence of consensus. Short preface co-authored with @bobwolfe.bsky.social
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/text-olbergs...
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/text-olbergs...
'The new grouping, to be called the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership, or “FIT-P”, is expected to include about 10 countries, with New Zealand joining Singapore and the UAE as core founding members' on.ft.com/3JCgbDe via @FT
Singapore, UAE and other small nations to launch trade partnership
WTO members seek to boost ‘trade openness’ in era of Donald Trump’s protectionism
on.ft.com
August 29, 2025 at 10:14 PM
'The new grouping, to be called the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership, or “FIT-P”, is expected to include about 10 countries, with New Zealand joining Singapore and the UAE as core founding members' on.ft.com/3JCgbDe via @FT
Reposted by Joshua Paine
ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change: The Variable and Evolutive Nature of Due Diligence Obligations | by Joshua Paine
ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change: The Variable and Evolutive Nature of Due Diligence Obligations
This post focuses on the concept of due diligence in the International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s Advisory Opinion in Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change (for earlier posts analysing othe...
www.ejiltalk.org
August 21, 2025 at 11:38 PM
ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change: The Variable and Evolutive Nature of Due Diligence Obligations | by Joshua Paine
My two cents on the ICJ’s Climate Change Advisory Opinion now published at @ejiltalk.bsky.social ‘ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change: The Variable and Evolutive Nature of Due Diligence Obligations’. www.ejiltalk.org/icj-advisory... Thanks to @dchovell.bsky.social for comments on earlier drafts.
ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change: The Variable and Evolutive Nature of Due Diligence Obligations
This post focuses on the concept of due diligence in the International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s Advisory Opinion in Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change (for earlier posts analysing othe...
www.ejiltalk.org
August 21, 2025 at 1:25 PM
My two cents on the ICJ’s Climate Change Advisory Opinion now published at @ejiltalk.bsky.social ‘ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change: The Variable and Evolutive Nature of Due Diligence Obligations’. www.ejiltalk.org/icj-advisory... Thanks to @dchovell.bsky.social for comments on earlier drafts.
Reposted by Joshua Paine
🚨 West Cumbria Mining is suing the UK under the UK–Singapore #BIT after the High Court blocked its controversial #coal mine #Whitehaven #WoodhouseColliery.
Exiting the #ECT isn’t enough, thousands of investment treaties still threaten #ClimateJustice #StopISDS
Exiting the #ECT isn’t enough, thousands of investment treaties still threaten #ClimateJustice #StopISDS
August 8, 2025 at 9:58 PM
🚨 West Cumbria Mining is suing the UK under the UK–Singapore #BIT after the High Court blocked its controversial #coal mine #Whitehaven #WoodhouseColliery.
Exiting the #ECT isn’t enough, thousands of investment treaties still threaten #ClimateJustice #StopISDS
Exiting the #ECT isn’t enough, thousands of investment treaties still threaten #ClimateJustice #StopISDS
Reposted by Joshua Paine
The Trump mafia and Indonesian gov have agreed to a framework for working out non-tariff trade irritants—at some point in the future.
Cost to Indonesia: 19% tariffs on exports to US.
www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-st...
Cost to Indonesia: 19% tariffs on exports to US.
www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-st...
Joint Statement on Framework for United States-Indonesia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade
Today, the United States of America (the United States) and the Republic of Indonesia (Indonesia) agreed to a Framework for negotiating an Agreement on
www.whitehouse.gov
July 22, 2025 at 8:29 PM
The Trump mafia and Indonesian gov have agreed to a framework for working out non-tariff trade irritants—at some point in the future.
Cost to Indonesia: 19% tariffs on exports to US.
www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-st...
Cost to Indonesia: 19% tariffs on exports to US.
www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-st...
Mali court deals blow to Barrick Mining in dispute over gold project - on.ft.com/4e9TMIp via @FT
Mali court deals blow to Barrick Mining in dispute over gold project
Court appoints administrators to reopen shuttered mine against Canadian owner’s wishes
on.ft.com
June 18, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Mali court deals blow to Barrick Mining in dispute over gold project - on.ft.com/4e9TMIp via @FT
Reposted by Joshua Paine
Canada agrees to resume FTA talks w/ the UK nearly 18 months after Ottawa halted negotiations. Canada also agrees to ratify the UK's #CPTPP accession during a bilateral meeting ahead of the #G7 summit
@chrishorseman.bsky.social covers everything you need to know👇
🇨🇦🇬🇧🇨🇦🇬🇧
borderlex.net/2025/06/16/c...
@chrishorseman.bsky.social covers everything you need to know👇
🇨🇦🇬🇧🇨🇦🇬🇧
borderlex.net/2025/06/16/c...
Canada to resume trade talks with UK, ratify CPTPP accession - Borderlex
Britain and Canada will resume negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement, almost 18 months after talks on a trade deal initially broke down.Canada will also proceed with ratification of Britain...
borderlex.net
June 16, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Canada agrees to resume FTA talks w/ the UK nearly 18 months after Ottawa halted negotiations. Canada also agrees to ratify the UK's #CPTPP accession during a bilateral meeting ahead of the #G7 summit
@chrishorseman.bsky.social covers everything you need to know👇
🇨🇦🇬🇧🇨🇦🇬🇧
borderlex.net/2025/06/16/c...
@chrishorseman.bsky.social covers everything you need to know👇
🇨🇦🇬🇧🇨🇦🇬🇧
borderlex.net/2025/06/16/c...
Reposted by Joshua Paine
The agenda for the next meeting of the European Parliament's trade committee on 23-34 June is out - lots of juicy nuggets to get your teeth into, whether its US trade relations, Israel, or the EU's first "CTIP" agreement with South Africa www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/docume...
DRAFT AGENDA - Monday, 23 June 2025 - Tuesday, 24 June 2025 | INTA_OJ(2025)06-23_1 | European Parliament
DRAFT AGENDA - Monday, 23 June 2025 - Tuesday, 24 June 2025
www.europarl.europa.eu
June 12, 2025 at 1:00 PM
The agenda for the next meeting of the European Parliament's trade committee on 23-34 June is out - lots of juicy nuggets to get your teeth into, whether its US trade relations, Israel, or the EU's first "CTIP" agreement with South Africa www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/docume...
I have a blogpost just out with @ejiltalk.bsky.social on 'A Multilateral Instrument on ISDS Reform (MIIR): Selected Design Issues'. Thanks to Colin Brown, Taylor St John and @dchovell.bsky.social for comments on earlier drafts of the post.
A Multilateral Instrument on ISDS Reform (MIIR): Selected Design Issues | by Joshua Paine
A Multilateral Instrument on ISDS Reform (MIIR): Selected Design Issues
Introduction This post addresses issues being considered in the UNCITRAL Working Group III process in relation to the design of a multilateral instrument on investor–State dispute settlement (ISDS) re...
www.ejiltalk.org
June 3, 2025 at 4:20 PM
I have a blogpost just out with @ejiltalk.bsky.social on 'A Multilateral Instrument on ISDS Reform (MIIR): Selected Design Issues'. Thanks to Colin Brown, Taylor St John and @dchovell.bsky.social for comments on earlier drafts of the post.
Reposted by Joshua Paine
'One early proposal from Japan, according to officials, was to link levels of investment in the US by Japanese companies with percentage-point cuts to tariffs.'
Japan to hold out for better trade deal with US - on.ft.com/4dFCaUV via @FT
Japan to hold out for better trade deal with US - on.ft.com/4dFCaUV via @FT
Japan to hold out for better trade deal with US
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s unpopular government fears concessions could prompt electoral backlash
on.ft.com
May 16, 2025 at 10:17 PM
'One early proposal from Japan, according to officials, was to link levels of investment in the US by Japanese companies with percentage-point cuts to tariffs.'
Japan to hold out for better trade deal with US - on.ft.com/4dFCaUV via @FT
Japan to hold out for better trade deal with US - on.ft.com/4dFCaUV via @FT
"Even landlocked member states are vocally supportive of the commission in pushing for a hard link” between fisheries and a veterinary deal ... a third EU diplomat said. Plans to reset UK-EU relations hit trouble over fishing rights and youth mobility - on.ft.com/4dsCQwz via @FT
Plans to reset UK-EU relations hit trouble over fishing rights and youth mobility
Member states reject Brussels’ latest efforts to bridge gaps between the two sides
on.ft.com
May 14, 2025 at 9:51 PM
"Even landlocked member states are vocally supportive of the commission in pushing for a hard link” between fisheries and a veterinary deal ... a third EU diplomat said. Plans to reset UK-EU relations hit trouble over fishing rights and youth mobility - on.ft.com/4dsCQwz via @FT
Reposted by Joshua Paine
USTR just posted what it described as the US-UK "Agreement in Principle" ustr.gov/sites/defaul...
ustr.gov
May 9, 2025 at 12:14 AM
USTR just posted what it described as the US-UK "Agreement in Principle" ustr.gov/sites/defaul...
'Meanwhile, financial services will be covered by talks over a bilateral investment treaty. While negotiations on that treaty were conducted in parallel with free trade talks, differences remain and so talks will continue.'
www.reuters.com/world/india/...
www.reuters.com/world/india/...
Britain and India clinch landmark trade deal in shadow of Trump's tariffs
It represents Britain's most significant post-Brexit agreement.
www.reuters.com
May 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
'Meanwhile, financial services will be covered by talks over a bilateral investment treaty. While negotiations on that treaty were conducted in parallel with free trade talks, differences remain and so talks will continue.'
www.reuters.com/world/india/...
www.reuters.com/world/india/...
'Parallel talks to agree a bilateral investment treaty, which would establish legal protections for investments between the UK and India, have not yet reached resolution. As a result, the deal does not include the financial services or legal services sectors.' /1
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
UK and India agree ‘landmark’ trade deal after three years of negotiations
Deal could help UK industries hit by Trump tariffs, as ministers say it will add £4.8bn a year to economy by 2040
www.theguardian.com
May 6, 2025 at 10:17 PM
'Parallel talks to agree a bilateral investment treaty, which would establish legal protections for investments between the UK and India, have not yet reached resolution. As a result, the deal does not include the financial services or legal services sectors.' /1
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Joshua Paine
The EU and Côte d'Ivoire launch talks on a sustainable investment facilitation pact. The European Commission wants talks to conclude next year. All the latest by me below for @borderlex.net borderlex.net/2025/05/06/e...
EU, Côte d'Ivoire launch sustainable investment talks - Borderlex
The European Union and Côte d’Ivoire launched negotiations on a sustainable investment facilitation agreement.
borderlex.net
May 6, 2025 at 3:04 PM
The EU and Côte d'Ivoire launch talks on a sustainable investment facilitation pact. The European Commission wants talks to conclude next year. All the latest by me below for @borderlex.net borderlex.net/2025/05/06/e...
'Although talks on the investment treaty continue, there’s still no clear timeline for when — or if — a deal will ever be agreed.'
May 6, 2025 at 9:19 PM
'Although talks on the investment treaty continue, there’s still no clear timeline for when — or if — a deal will ever be agreed.'
UK and India locked in final stages of trade talks - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FT
UK and India locked in final stages of trade talks
Ministers attempt to resolve remaining areas of disagreement in London talks this week
giftarticle.ft.com
April 30, 2025 at 10:07 PM
UK and India locked in final stages of trade talks - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @FT
Donald Trump orders speedier permits for deep-sea mineral projects - on.ft.com/42RoqRR via @FT
Donald Trump orders speedier permits for deep-sea mineral projects
US president’s move is part of effort to bolster supply of critical resources
on.ft.com
April 24, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Donald Trump orders speedier permits for deep-sea mineral projects - on.ft.com/42RoqRR via @FT
'Two EU officials said the CAI would not be revived as the situation had changed so much'. China to lift sanctions on MEPs in bid to revive trade deal with EU - on.ft.com/4iOiZsZ via @FT
China to lift sanctions on MEPs in bid to revive trade deal with EU
Beijing steps up efforts to woo Brussels as 145% tariffs imposed by the US seal off its biggest market
on.ft.com
April 23, 2025 at 9:46 PM
'Two EU officials said the CAI would not be revived as the situation had changed so much'. China to lift sanctions on MEPs in bid to revive trade deal with EU - on.ft.com/4iOiZsZ via @FT
Reposted by Joshua Paine
What is feigned victimization and how is it used by fossil fuel companies to achieve capital accumulation and climate obstruction?
Climate obstruction and capital accumulation by feigned victimization: TC Energy and the political economy of investor-state dispute settlement | Business and Politics | Cambridge Core
Climate obstruction and capital accumulation by feigned victimization: TC Energy and the political economy of investor-state dispute settlement
doi.org
April 14, 2025 at 2:44 PM
What is feigned victimization and how is it used by fossil fuel companies to achieve capital accumulation and climate obstruction?
This story flags the UK-China BIT. But n.b. the relatively narrow ISDS clause in the treaty (covers investor-State disputes 'concerning an amount of compensation'). British Steel crisis spurs greater scrutiny of Chinese investment in UK - on.ft.com/4lKtUGK via @FT
British Steel crisis spurs greater scrutiny of Chinese investment in UK
Ministers urged to review Beijing’s role in critical national infrastructure and supply chains
on.ft.com
April 14, 2025 at 9:29 PM
This story flags the UK-China BIT. But n.b. the relatively narrow ISDS clause in the treaty (covers investor-State disputes 'concerning an amount of compensation'). British Steel crisis spurs greater scrutiny of Chinese investment in UK - on.ft.com/4lKtUGK via @FT
EU could tax Big Tech if Trump trade talks fail, says von der Leyen - on.ft.com/3Yptuvc via @FT
EU could tax Big Tech if Trump trade talks fail, says von der Leyen
European Commission president tells FT she wants ‘balanced’ deal but could hit US services in retaliation
on.ft.com
April 10, 2025 at 9:32 PM
EU could tax Big Tech if Trump trade talks fail, says von der Leyen - on.ft.com/3Yptuvc via @FT
Reposted by Joshua Paine
Some important details on the tariff order Trump just signed (1/n) (read this story for all the details: insidetrade.com/daily-news/t...)
UPDATE: Trump imposes 10 percent baseline tariff and ‘reciprocal’ duties for dozens of countries | InsideTrade.com
The U.S. will impose a 10 percent tariff on all trading partners as well as individualized, "reciprocal tariffs" for a slew of countries that treat the U.S. unfairly, President Trump announced on Wedn...
insidetrade.com
April 2, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Some important details on the tariff order Trump just signed (1/n) (read this story for all the details: insidetrade.com/daily-news/t...)