Does an Arbitrator’s Background Influence the Outcome of an Investor-State Arbitration?

The goal of this article is to determine whether the background of an arbitrator could be considered as a determinant of case-outcomes in investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS). Using the existing literature on arbitrators’ bias and experience as a starting point, this study analyses several characteristics of arbitrators as part of their “background”, grouping them into two basic categories: ISDS experience (related to their previous involvement as arbitrator or member of an annulment committee in investor-state arbitration), and personal characteristics (including age, gender, language, nationality, background legal studies and professional background). Our research concludes that, with some exceptions, generally there does not seem to be a decisive influence between the arbitrator’s ISDS experience or personal characteristics in the outcome of an investor-state arbitration case.