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Methanex v. USA

The Methanex case was an investment dispute between Canada-based Methanex Corporation and the United States, based on the provisions in the North American Free Trade Agreement's (NAFTA) Chapter 11 on investment. The issues it raised on the interaction between investor protection and environmental protection were so acute that IISD sought and received precedent-setting permission to submit a friend of the court (amicus curiae) brief in the case.

The Methanex case was an investment dispute between Canada-based Methanex Corporation and the United States, based on the provisions in the North American Free Trade Agreement's (NAFTA) Chapter 11 on investment.

The issues it raised on the interaction between investor protection and environmental protection were so acute that IISD sought and received precedent-setting permission to submit a friend of the court (amicus curiae) brief in the case.

Project team

Nathalie Bernasconi

Nathalie Bernasconi-Osterwalder

Vice-President, Global Strategies and Managing Director, Europe

Latest

The Final Decision in Methanex v. United States: Some New Wine in Some New Bottles

On August 3, 2005, the Panel in the NAFTA Chapter 11 case Methanex v. The United States issued its long-awaited ruling, rejecting all of the company's arguments.

Policy Analysis

August 22, 2005

Methanex Corporation vs. The United States of America

A backgrounder on the controversial case under NAFTA's Chapter 11, and on IISD's involvment.

Report

January 15, 2005

Amicus Curiae post-hearing submission to the NAFTA Chapter 11 Tribunal: Methanex Corp. v. the United States of America

IISD's post-hearing submission in the NAFTA Chapter 11 case Methanex v. the USA argues that the US defence of the California MTBE ban as a public health measure does not go far enough.

Report

July 20, 2004

Amicus Curiae submissions to the NAFTA Chapter 11 Tribunal: Methanex Corp. v. the United States of America

IISD's submission to the NAFTA Chapter Methanex panel marks the first ever accepted submission to a NAFTA investment tribunal of a "friend of the court."

Report

March 11, 2004

In the Arbitration under Chapter 11 of the North American Free Trade Agreement and the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules between Methanex Corporation, (Claimant/Investor) and United States of America, (Respondent/Party); Petition to the Arbitral Tribunal

The purpose of this Petition is to request permission to submit an Amicus Curiae brief to the Tribunal on critical legal issues of public concern in the arbitration between Methanex Corporation and the United States of America.

Report

November 25, 2002

In the Arbitration under Chapter 11 of the North American Free Trade Agreement and the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules between Methanex Corporation, (Claimant/Investor) and United States of America, (Respondent/Party); Petitioner's Final Submissions

On August 25, 2000, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the Petitioner, filed a written Petition with this Tribunal.

Report

November 25, 2002

Review of the Decision on Jurisdiction of the Methanex Tribunal, August 7, 2002

On August 7, 2002, the Tribunal in the NAFTA Chapter 11 case Methanex vs. the United States of America delivered an interim ruling. This brief non-technical summary discusses the ruling and its significance for sustainable development.

Report

August 16, 2002

Project details

Topic
Investment Law & Policy
Region
North America
Focus area
Economies