Abaclat and others v. Argentina is the first investor-state arbitration case that deals with holdouts. International arbitration, compared to litigation, gives holdouts a more efficient way to enforce a final and binding decision as well as to attach and execute against sovereign assets. However, the jurisdiction of investor-state arbitration tribunals over holdout claims is a complex matter, since the claims have to be treaty claims, and they have to be legal disputes related to an investment. The fact that investor-state arbitration tribunals assess jurisdiction over these kinds of disputes may have a positive impact on the restructuring process and the sovereign debt markets. Nevertheless, holdout arbitration may also disrupt the restructuring process. In order to avoid such a problem, arbitration tribunals should limit the scope of the arbitration remedy.
Journal of International Arbitration