The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is currently seeking the following expressions of interest.

Arbitrators for the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States

New Zealand wishes to designate an additional arbitrator who may be called upon to resolve disputes between foreign investors and states that are party to the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States 1965.

The Convention is a multilateral treaty set up to resolve investment disputes between foreign investors and their host states. The Convention entered into force in 1966, establishing the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (external link) (ICSID). New Zealand ratified the Convention on 2 April 1980 and has provided for arbitration through ICSID in a number of existing free trade agreements.

Under the Convention, New Zealand is entitled to appoint individuals to two rosters for a renewable term of six years: the Panel of Arbitrators and the Panel of Conciliators.  Members of ICSID Conciliation Commissions, Arbitral Tribunals and ad hoc annulment Committees may be appointed from the two Panels.

The Government of New Zealand wishes to designate an additional qualified person to the Panel of Arbitrators and welcomes applications from individuals with a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives. 

The Convention requires all arbitrators and conciliators to have recognised competence in the fields of law, commerce, industry or finance, high moral character and the ability to exercise independent judgment.

ICSID has indicated that other desirable qualities include:

  • knowledge of and experience with international investment law and public international law;
  • experience and expertise in international arbitration;
  • ability to conduct an arbitration and write an arbitral award in one or more of ICSID’s official languages (English, French and Spanish);
  • availability to accept appointments in cases as of the date of designation; and
  • availability and willingness to travel for the purposes of case proceedings.

To express your interest in designation to the Panel of Arbitrators, please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability and how you meet the criteria to: DM-LGL@mfat.govt.nz using the subject line 'ICSID Expression of Interest'. Confirmation of receipt will be provided.

New Zealand’s designations will be decided by the Cabinet Appointments and Honours Committee.

Applications extended until: 11 October 2019

For further information, contact DM-LGL@mfat.govt.nz