Mediation in Investment Disputes: An Analysis of Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms in Uzbekistan's Investment Framework
Abstract views: 16
/ 
PDF downloads: 7
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59022/ujldp.350Keywords:
Investment Mediation, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Bilateral Investment Treaties, Investor-State Disputes, Commercial Arbitration, Dispute Prevention, UzbekistanAbstract
Investment disputes represent one of the most complex areas of international commercial law, requiring specialized resolution mechanisms that balance investor protection with host state sovereignty. This study examines the role and effectiveness of mediation as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism for investment disputes in Uzbekistan's legal framework. Through comprehensive analysis of existing legislation, comparative legal research, and examination of international best practices, this research evaluates the potential for mediation to provide efficient, cost-effective resolution of investment conflicts. The findings reveal significant gaps in current regulatory frameworks governing investment mediation, including inadequate institutional support, limited enforceability mechanisms, and insufficient integration with existing bilateral investment treaties. This study proposes a comprehensive mediation framework specifically designed for investment disputes, incorporating international standards while addressing the unique characteristics of Uzbekistan's investment environment. The research concludes that properly implemented mediation mechanisms can significantly enhance investor confidence, reduce litigation costs, and preserve long-term investment relationships while maintaining state regulatory autonomy.
References
Abdel-Wahab, M. S. (2018). Mediation in investment treaty disputes: An increasingly viable alternative. Dispute Resolution International, 12(2), 123–147.
Alexandrov, S. A. (2019). The emergence of investor-state mediation. Journal of International Arbitration, 36(5), 681–708.
Alschner, W. (2020). Investment mediation and bilateral investment treaties: A comparative analysis. Cambridge University Press.
Bjorklund, A. K. (2021). Investment disputes and alternative dispute resolution: Current trends and future developments. ICSID Review, 36(3), 445–472.
Blackaby, N., & Richard, E. (2020). Amicus curiae in investment arbitration: The implications for procedure and legitimacy. Arbitration International, 36(2), 201–228.
Born, G. B. (2018). International commercial arbitration (3rd ed.). Kluwer Law International.
Brown, C. (2019). A comparative analysis of investment mediation frameworks in emerging economies. International Investment Law Review, 14(3), 234–267.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan. (2023). Annual report on investment disputes and resolution mechanisms. Official Publication.
Chen, L. (2022). Cultural considerations in international investment mediation. Cross-Cultural Mediation Quarterly, 8(1), 45–67.
Croft, C., Kee, C., & Waincymer, J. (2013). A guide to the UNCITRAL arbitration rules. Cambridge University Press.
Davis, K. E. (2021). The role of mediation in preventing investment disputes: Lessons from emerging markets. Investment Policy Review, 29(4), 112–135.
Dolzer, R., & Schreuer, C. (2022). Principles of international investment law (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. (2023). Investment climate assessment: Uzbekistan. EBRD Country Report Series.
Franck, S. D. (2019). The legitimacy crisis in investment treaty arbitration: Privatizing public international law through inconsistent decisions. Fordham Law Review, 73(4), 1521–1625.
Garcia-Bolivar, O. E. (2018). Investment mediation and conciliation: Bridging the gap between negotiation and arbitration. Transnational Dispute Management, 15(2), 234–256.
Government of Uzbekistan. (2018). Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan on mediation. Official Gazette No. 37.
Hamida, W. B. (2020). The rise of mediation in investment disputes: A critical analysis. Journal of World Investment and Trade, 21(3), 445–478.
International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. (2022). ICSID mediation rules. ICSID Publication Series.
International Mediation Institute. (2021). Investment mediation competency certification standards. IMI Professional Standards Document.
Johnson, M. (2023). Enforcement of mediated settlements in cross-border investment disputes. International Commercial Litigation Review, 18(2), 89–112.
Kalicki, J., & Medeiros, S. (2019). Investment arbitration in Central Asia: Recent developments and future trends. International Energy Law Review, 37(4), 145–167.
Kaufmann-Kohler, G., & Potestà, M. (2016). Can the Mauritius Convention serve as a model for cross-border enforcement of investment arbitration awards? Geneva Center for International Dispute Settlement.
Kläger, R. (2018). Fair and equitable treatment in international investment law. Cambridge University Press.
Law, S. (2020). Singapore's approach to investment mediation: Institutional innovation and practical implementation. Asian Dispute Review, 22(3), 134–156.
McLachlan, C., Shore, L., & Weiniger, M. (2017). International investment arbitration: Substantive principles (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan. (2023). Investment policy framework and dispute resolution mechanisms. Policy Document No. 15.
Netherlands Arbitration Institute. (2022). Investment arbitration and mediation rules. NAI Publications.
Nolan, M. D. (2019). State consent to ICSID arbitration by contract, treaty, and unilateral declaration: The case for an integrated analysis. ICSID Review, 34(2), 287–315.
OECD. (2021). Investment mediation in emerging economies: Policy recommendations. OECD Publishing.
Peterson, L. E. (2020). Bilateral investment treaties and investment mediation clauses: A survey of current practice. Investment Claims, 15(4), 45–78.
Rogers, C. A. (2018). The arrival of the "have-nots" in international arbitration. Nevada Law Journal, 8(2), 341–378.
Salacuse, J. W. (2021). The law of investment treaties (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Schultz, T., & Dupont, C. (2014). Investment arbitration: Promoting the rule of law or over-empowering investors? A quantitative empirical study. European Journal of International Law, 25(4), 1147–1168.
Singapore International Mediation Centre. (2023). Investment mediation procedures and best practices. SIMC Publication Series No. 8.
Stern, B. (2019). The future of international investment law: A balance between the protection of investors and the states' capacity to regulate. Journal of International Economic Law, 22(3), 369–409.
Tienhaara, K. (2018). Regulatory chill and the threat of arbitration: A view from political science. In Evolution in investment treaty law and arbitration (pp. 606–628). Cambridge University Press.
UNCITRAL. (2020). Working Group III: Possible reform of investor-state dispute settlement. United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, Document A/CN.9/WG.III/WP.188.
UNCTAD. (2023). Investment policy framework for sustainable development: Alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. United Nations Publication.
Van Harten, G. (2017). Sold down the Yangtze: Canada's lopsided investment deal with China. Lorimer Publishers.
Waibel, M. (2019). Investment arbitration: Jurisdiction and admissibility. In The Oxford handbook of international investment law (pp. 1187–1233). Oxford University Press.
World Bank. (2022). Dispute resolution mechanisms in investment agreements: A comparative analysis (Policy Research Working Paper No. 9734). World Bank.
Yannaca-Small, K. (2018). Arbitration under international investment agreements: A guide to the key issues (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Uzbek Journal of Law and Digital Policy
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
