CCLS Talk Series 2025: Cultural Dimensions in International Investment Arbitration by Dr. Juan J. Garcia Blesa
On February 21st, 2025 the Centre for Chinese Legal Studies (CCLS), Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law (SAHSOL) at LUMS launched its 2025 Talk Series with a lecture on "The Cultural Dimensions of Legal Predictability in FET Clauses: An Intercultural Analysis of International Investment Arbitration concerning Pakistan, China, and EU Countries."
The session featured Dr. Juan J. Garcia Blesa, Senior Research Associate at the University of Hagen, Germany, who leads the international PhD training program in law. With deep expertise in public international law, international economic law, and dispute settlement mechanisms, Dr. Blesa delivered valuable insights into the complex interplay between culture and legal predictability in international investment arbitration, particularly focusing on Pakistan, China, and EU countries.
Dr. Blesa’s presentation highlighted key issues surrounding Fair and Equitable Treatment (FET) clauses, addressing the challenges of legal indeterminacy and legitimacy in international investment law and agreements. He examined how cultural biases can impact legal assessments, stressing the risk of relying on unexamined stereotypes. His concluding remarks emphasized the need for more research at the micro-analytical level to better understand cultural influences while advocating for a flexible yet cautious approach in applying macro-cultural knowledge in legal contexts.
The talk underscored the importance of intercultural awareness in investment arbitration and offered participants a deeper understanding of how cultural dimensions shape the application and interpretation of FET clauses across jurisdictions.
The CCLS Talk Series 2025 continues its commitment to fostering dialogue on critical legal issues, bringing together scholars, practitioners, and students to explore complex topics at the intersection of law, culture, and international relations.