CYIL vol. 8 (2017)

ONDŘEJ SVOBODA CYIL 8 ȍ2017Ȏ arbitrators on ad hoc basis. At this point, Kurtz sees again a parallel with the evolution of the GATT into the WTO. This may sound familiar - the book was published just before the inception of the European Commission’s work about the topic in the light of recent EU investment treaty practice. Regarding a permanent body of adjudicators, bilateral investment courts systems are already included in two free trade agreements concluded by the EU. Furthermore, a discussion on establishment of multilateral international investment court has been taking place. Considering these circumstances, Kurtz’s argument is quite prophetic and deserves attention. Alternative Visions of the International Law on Foreign Investment and The WTO and International Investment Law offer the reader an intriguing picture of the current state of international investment law. The former, highlighting some of the most pressing concerns, provides a rationale for its reform, while the later proposes a way to approach it. In sum, both books remain highly recommended reading for everyone interested in the current as well as the future development of international investment law. Ondřej Svoboda *

* Mgr. Bc. Ondřej Svoboda serves as an officer at the Unit of International Law of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic and lectures on public international law at the Faculty of Law of Charles University as a PhD candidate.

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