As we have previously reported (see Legal update, Proposed revisions to UNCITRAL rules for state arbitrations and Legal update, Revisions to the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules ), UNCITRAL is considering whether to amend its arbitration rules in order to introduce greater transparency in investor/state disputes. It had been hoped that the proposals could be addressed as part of a general programme of amendments at the meeting of the UNCITRAL Working Party, held in Vienna between September 10 and 14. However, it appears that the Working Party ran out of time before the specific investor/state issues could be debated.

The proposed revisions for investor/state arbitrations may form part of discussions at the next meeting of the Working Party, scheduled for February 2008.