German Judges Oppose New Investment Court System (ICS)

By Victoria Hines

The German Association of Judges (DRB) recently criticized the Investment Court System (ICS), which has been proposed to be included in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). If approved, this court system would allow investors to sue governments. The judges argue that there is “neither a legal basis nor an actual need for such a court.”  Other critics of ICS are apprehensive of whether multinationals will be able to use the system to put legal pressure on states. The European Commission disagrees, underlining that the ICS plan was “based on input from parliaments in the EU and other stakeholders,” and that it would not be able to effect member state law.  The Commission anticipates talks to be completed next summer.