Court of Appeal confirms proper approach to interpreting international treaties in investment treaty dispute – Hill Dickinson

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Jul 22, 2025 - 21:00
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Court of Appeal confirms proper approach to interpreting international treaties in investment treaty dispute – Hill Dickinson

 

Report on Dispute Resolution Services and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

This report outlines the provision of commercial dispute resolution services, with a strategic focus on achieving efficient and effective outcomes. The operational approach is aligned with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), by providing clear, pragmatic legal counsel that minimizes operational disruption for clients across various sectors.

Contribution to SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The services directly contribute to SDG Target 16.3, which aims to promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice for all. By facilitating the resolution of business disputes, the firm strengthens the institutional framework that underpins a just and peaceful society.

Methods of Dispute Resolution

  • Negotiation
  • Mediation
  • Arbitration
  • Litigation

Strategic Approach to Justice

  1. A primary objective is to settle disputes without recourse to formal legal proceedings, promoting amicable and efficient resolution.
  2. In cases where litigation is unavoidable, an experienced and tenacious team pursues a robust strategy designed to achieve a successful outcome, ensuring that clients’ rights are vigorously defended within the legal system.

Supporting SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

By resolving commercial conflicts swiftly, the services support sustainable economic growth. The core aim is to minimize the impact of any dispute on a client’s daily operations, thereby protecting business continuity, employment, and economic stability.

Key Service Objectives for Economic Stability

  • To achieve resolution quickly and efficiently.
  • To minimise the impact of a dispute on day-to-day operations.
  • To provide clear, pragmatic advice and expert technical analysis.
  • To maintain a sound understanding of clients’ business problems and commercial objectives.

Fostering SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation) and SDG 17 (Partnerships)

The firm establishes strong partnerships (SDG 17) with clients to foster a stable commercial environment conducive to sustainable industrialization and innovation (SDG 9). Expert counsel is provided to a diverse client base, reinforcing the economic infrastructure.

Client Sectors Served

  • Manufacturing
  • Service industries
  • Retail PLCs
  • Owner-managed businesses
  • Accountants and other professionals

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

  • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

    The article is fundamentally about providing access to justice and resolving conflicts. It describes services for settling “business disputes” through various legal and quasi-legal mechanisms. This directly aligns with the goal of promoting just, peaceful, and inclusive societies by providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable institutions. The law firm described acts as a facilitator for accessing these justice systems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

  1. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

    The article’s core message is about helping clients resolve disputes. By offering services like “negotiation, mediation, arbitration or litigation,” the firm provides a direct pathway for businesses and professionals to access justice. The statement, “we try to settle disputes without recourse to legal proceedings,” and the readiness to “vigorously pursue a strategy” when litigation is necessary, both point to facilitating access to different forms of justice to uphold the rule of law for commercial entities.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

  • Implied Indicator (related to Target 16.3): The existence and use of formal and informal dispute resolution mechanisms.

    The article explicitly lists the mechanisms available to its clients: “negotiation, mediation, arbitration or litigation.” The firm’s work in guiding clients through these processes is a direct example of these mechanisms being accessed and utilized. This mirrors the spirit of official indicator 16.3.3, which measures the proportion of a population that has accessed such mechanisms.
  • Implied Indicator (related to Target 16.3): The efficiency of dispute resolution.

    The article states that the firm’s aim is to “achieve resolution quickly and efficiently” and to “minimise the impact of a dispute on your day-to-day operations.” This implies that the speed, cost-effectiveness, and minimal disruption of the justice process are key performance metrics. These qualitative aspects are crucial for measuring whether access to justice is truly effective.

4. Summary Table of Findings

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
  • Availability and use of dispute resolution mechanisms (Implied by the mention of “negotiation, mediation, arbitration or litigation”).
  • Efficiency of the dispute resolution process (Implied by the aim to “achieve resolution quickly and efficiently”).

Source: hilldickinson.com