24.01.2014 Views

brought under the dominican republic - central america - ita

brought under the dominican republic - central america - ita

brought under the dominican republic - central america - ita

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

2.65. The Tribunal considers that <strong>the</strong> Claimant‟s response might be more appropriate for<br />

<strong>the</strong> Ratione Temporis issue; but that it is clearly inappropriate to this Abuse of Process<br />

issue. For this latter issue, it is important to ascertain whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> alleged measure<br />

began before and continued after <strong>the</strong> change in <strong>the</strong> Claimant‟s nationality. It here<br />

is necessary to apply first principles of international law.<br />

2.66. The question of identifying precisely when an internationally wrongful act takes<br />

place is often a difficult factual question; it has important consequences on <strong>the</strong> law<br />

of international responsibility; and, as far as it concerns investment arbitration <strong>under</strong><br />

a treaty, it can directly affect (as here) <strong>the</strong> exercise of jurisdiction by a tribunal.<br />

2.67. In any particular case, three different situations can arise: (i) a measure is a “onetime<br />

act”, that is an act completed at a precise moment, such as, for example, a nationalisation<br />

decree which is completed at <strong>the</strong> date of that decree; or (ii) it is a “continuous”<br />

act, which is <strong>the</strong> same act that continues as long as it is in violation of rules<br />

in force, such as a national law in violation of an international obligation of <strong>the</strong><br />

State; or, (iii) it is a “composite” act, that is an act composed of o<strong>the</strong>r acts from<br />

which it is legally different. These important and well-established distinctions <strong>under</strong><br />

customary international law are considered in <strong>the</strong> Commentaries of <strong>the</strong> ILC Articles<br />

on State Responsibility. 48<br />

2.68. (i) One-Time Act: As far as a one-time act is concerned, <strong>the</strong> ILC Commentaries explain<br />

both its instant realisation, at a precise moment in time, and <strong>the</strong> fact that it can<br />

have continuous effects:<br />

―The critical distinction for <strong>the</strong> purpose of article 14 is between a breach which is<br />

continuing and one which has already been completed. In accordance with paragraph<br />

1, a completed act occurs ‗at <strong>the</strong> moment when <strong>the</strong> act is performed‘, even<br />

though its effects or consequences may continue…‖ 49<br />

―An act does not have a continuing character merely because its consequences extend<br />

in time.‖ 50<br />

48<br />

49<br />

50<br />

Draft Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts, with commentaries, 2001,<br />

Yearbook of <strong>the</strong> International Law Commission, 2001, vol II, Part Two [“ILC Commentaries”].<br />

ILC Commentaries, p. 59.<br />

ILC Commentaries, p. 60.<br />

Part 2 – Page 20

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!