In two days (5^th-6^th, September, 2016), Training Workshop “International Investment Dispute Settlement under EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement” was held at Lien Viet Conference Room, 10th Floor, A Building, Foreign Trade University, 91 Chua Lang, Hanoi with the participation of guest lecturers, representatives of EU delegation in Vietnam, lecturers of Universities & Colleges in CLE’s network and representatives of teams applying FIAM.

To remark the beginning of this Training Workshop, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Thi Thu Giang - Vice President of FTU gave a deep thank to 2 sponsors of FIAM, EU-MUTRAP Project and UNDP. In addition, she also emphasized the meaning and good effect of this Training Workshop to connect Law training universities over three regions in Vietnam.

 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Thi Thu Giang - Vice President of FTU

 

During the Training Workshop, guest lecturers have provided participants with professional knowledge in the field of International Investment, essential skills and also give examples about practical cases in order to have experience of settling investment dispute in the future. Guest lecturers of the Training Workshop: Prof. Julien Chaisse, Ph.D Hai Yen Trinh and Solicitor Trinh Nguyen with their excellent qualifications and experience for working in field of International Investment have really brought about a lot of useful knowledge for participants, helped them to be well-prepared for FIAM (FTU Investment Arbitration Moot) which will last for 3 months from September to December, 2016. Thank to the enthusiasm of guest lecturers, the keen-on discussions of participants, Training Workshop was indeed successful.

 

Let’s notice some important points of the Training Workshop:

Prof. Julien Chaisse: stated about “Investor – state dispute settlement issues” from several different aspects like: ISDS, forms of arbitration, regulating access to arbitration and key procedural issues in the process of settling international investment dispute between foreign investor and state. Besides, Prof. Chaisse emphasized the rule of FIAM, the style, length and quotations of memo so as to train teams for writing memo and adversarial skills. In the process of completing the memo, Prof. Chaisse give advices such as “Clarity and consistency is key”, “Master the time”, knowing how to make convincing argument, the details speech to make use of every clues given in the case.

Ph.D Hai Yen Trinh: She had lecture on “Investor – state dispute settlement mechanisms in EVFTA” – an important note in the process of settling dispute between foreign investor and state. With the enthusiastic sharing, she helped participants know more about ISDS under EVFTA, Procedural requirements for dispute settlement before the submission of a claim and also Dispute settlement by EVFTA Investment Tribunal. 

Solicitor Trinh Nguyen: In the procedural process of dispute settlement, the Lawyers of claimant and defendant always play important roles to fight for their right and benefits. Solicitor Trinh Nguyen, who is experienced in Arbitration and Mediation, stated “Lawyers’ role in different stages of a dispute” from the Dispute-arising stage, Negotiation, mediation stages before the case is handled, The stage when the dispute is brought to a competent tribunal, to Arbitrator appointment stage and The consultation stage to apply provisional emergency measures. 

Beside the time with guest lecturers discussing the topic of the Training Workshop : "International Investment Dispute Settlement under EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement", the atmosphere of lessons is raised with interesting games. Through these games, participants get the feeling of relaxing, tie the knot, proximity. Especially, they burst into a laugh and spiritual shakes about the punishment " Chicken dance". After hearing the analyses, judgments and assessments from the guest lecturers, Q&A column took place with spirit of progression. The guest lecturers were asked with many questions about illuminating practical processes, conflicts between Vietnam and other countries based on EVFTA and the problems involved in solving conflicts of FTA Vietnam – EU. In conclusion, the guest lecturers provided essential information, which was a chance for lectures in CLE’s network and representatives of FIAM teams to approach the subject of competition more deeply. The Training Workshop ended at 5pm 06/09/2016. The organizers would like to express sincere thanks to the participants of teachers, deputies, students. Especially, professional speakers bring an important contribution to the success of today' training workshop.