German judges oppose proposed TTIP courts

The German Magistrates Association (Deutscher Richterbund, DRB) dealt a major blow to one of the key elements of the TTIP deal in February 2016. The judges said that special courts allowing firms to sue countries were unnecessary and 'had no legal basis.'

The European Commission had proposed an alternative to the controversial Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) in September 2015. The proposed Investment Court System would involve public courts with more authority. European Commissioner Cecilia Malmström had assured the new system's critics that judges would still be appointed based on their internationally-recognised qualifications.

ESO: Background information: EU finalises proposal for investment protection and Court System for TTIP http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-eu-finalises-proposal-for-investment-protection-and-court-system-for-ttip/

EUObserver, 04.02.16: TTIP investor court illegal, say German judges https://euobserver.com/economic/132142

Deutsche Welle, 04.02.16: German judges slap TTIP down http://dw.com/p/1Hpxp

Sputnik International, 03.02.16: nvestment Court Has 'No Legal Basis' in TTIP - German Magistrates Union http://sptnkne.ws/a8GX

BBC News, 05.02.16: TTIP trade talks: German judges oppose new investor courts http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35503885

Website: Deutsche Richterbund (DRB) http://www.drb.de/cms/index.php

European Commission: DG Trade: News Archive, 16.09.15: Commission proposes new Investment Court System for TTIP and other EU trade and investment negotiations http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/index.cfm?id=1364

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