The Three Laws of International Investment

International investments are governed by three different legal frameworks: 1) national laws of both the host country and the investor''s home country; 2) contracts whether between the investor and the host country or among investors and their associates; and 3) international law consisting of applicable treaties customs and general principles of law. Together these three frameworks profoundly influence the organization operation and protection of foreign investments. Investors government officials and their legal counsel must therefore understand the complex interaction among these frameworks and how best to employ them to advance their interests.This book examines the content of each of these three legal frameworks for international investment and explores how they influence the foreign investment process and the nature of investment transactions projects and enterprises. The book is divided into five parts. Part I after explaining the contemporary nature and significance of international investment examines the theoretical and practical links between law and the investment process. Part II explores the nature of national laws regulating foreign investment. Part III considers of the various contractual frameworks for international investments looking at their negotiation content and stability. Part IV sets out the international legal framework governing foreign investment focusing on the content and nature of investment treaties and on general principles. Finally Part V discusses how the three legal frameworks interact with each other. By comprehensively examining each of the applicable legal frameworks this book provides a vital overview of the laws rules and regulations governing foreign investment for lawyers scholars students and government officials.