A centre for resolving international energy disputes has been launched by the First Minister.
The International Centre for Energy Arbitration (ICEA) would make Scotland a more attractive place for global energy firms to do business, Alex Salmond said.
The centre is a joint venture between the Scottish Arbitration Centre and Dundee University’s Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy (CEPMLP). It aims to work with firms in the energy sector to allow Scotland to become an international specialist in resolving energy disputes.
Speaking at the launch in Edinburgh, Mr Salmond said: “Scotland is a leading international energy centre, being home to a global oil and gas hub and some of the best renewable resources and technologies on the planet.
“At the same time, we have built on Scotland’s distinguished legal system to develop a world-class legal framework for cost-effective arbitration services. It is fitting, therefore, that we are opening an International Centre for Energy Arbitration, a development that will further enhance Scotland’s attractiveness to global energy companies, associated professional service providers and investors.”
Professor Peter Cameron, director of CEPMLP and of the ICEA, said that issues related to energy now make up more than a third of all disputes in international commerce.
“For Scotland to stake a claim to expertise in this area is timely and builds on our deep knowledge of all kinds of energy resources,” he said.
Brandon Malone, chairman of the Scottish Arbitration Centre, said Scotland already has a range of expertise in this area.
“When it comes to energy dispute resolution in Scotland, we find that in our universities, in our legal firms and in industry, we have a clustering of legal and technical energy expertise that is not readily found in any other part of the world,” he said.
Recommended for you
