2005 Constitutional Amendment | Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 17) Act 2005 (CLEX-19). |
2013 Constitution | Constitution of Zimbabwe (Draft 17 July 2012) (CLEX-331). |
ACAC | Accumulated Current Actual Cost. |
Adam | The youngest child of Elisabeth and Rüdiger von Pezold, Adam Friedrich Carl Leopold Franz Severin von Pezold. |
Additional Claims | Claims raised by the von Pezold Claimants in the Claimants' Reply relating to water rights and permits. |
Adult Children Claimants | The children of Elisabeth and Rüdiger von Pezold, excluding their youngest child, Adam. 1. Anna Eleonora Elisabeth Webber (née von Pezold), 2. Heinrich Bernd Alexander Josef von Pezold, 3. Maria Juliane Andrea Christiane Katharina Batthàny (née von Pezold), 4. Georg Philipp Marcel Johann Lukas von Pezold, 5. Felix Alard Moritz Hermann Kilian von Pezold and 6. Johann Friedrich Georg Ludwig von Pezold. |
ASEAN Agreement | The 1987 ASEAN Agreement. |
BIT's | A collective term for the German BIT and Swiss BIT. |
Border | Border Timbers Limited. |
Border Claimants | The Claimants in ICSID Case No. ARB/10/25, being 1. Border Timbers Limited; 2. Timber Products International (Private) Limited (formerly Border Timbers International (Private) Limited); and 3. Hangani Development Co. (Private) Limited. |
Border Companies | The companies incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Zimbabwe within the Border Estate, i.e. the Border Claimants, namely: 1. Border Timbers Limited; 2. Timber Products International (Private) Limited (formerly Border Timbers International (Private) Limited); and 3. Hangani Development Co. (Private) Limited |
Border Estate | The Border Estate includes five sub-estates or plantations, which comprise 28 properties (the Border Properties). There are three sawmills on the Border Properties: the Tilbury Estate Sawmill, the Sheba Estate Sawmill and the Charter Estate Sawmill. The Border Estate also includes two non-plantation properties on which are located a pole treatment plant and two factories (the Paulington factory and the BTI factory). |
Border International | Timber Products International (Private) Limited (formerly Border Timbers International (Private) Limited). |
Border Properties | The 28 properties that comprise the Border Estate plantations, and which are included in the Claimants' Memorial, Table 6, as updated in the Claimants' Reply, Annex 2. |
Border Shares | The combined share capital of the Border Companies. |
CIO | Central Intelligence Organisation of the Republic of Zimbabwe. |
Claimants | Reference to the "Claimants", for purposes of the present Award, without further specification, is a reference to both the von Pezold Claimants of Casé No. ARB/10/15 and the Border Claimants of Case No. ARB/10/25. |
Claimants' Properties | A collective term for the Zimbabwean Properties and the Residual Properties. |
Constitution | The Constitution of Zimbabwe, originally published as a Schedule to the Zimbabwe Constitution Order 1979 (SI 1979/1600 of the United Kingdom). |
DRC | Depreciated Replacement Cost. |
ECCHR | European Centre for Constitution and Human Rights. |
ECHR | European Court of Human Rights. |
Elisabeth | Elisabeth Regina Maria Gabriele von Pezold. |
Estates | A collective term for the Forrester Estate, Border Estate and Makandi Estate. |
FET | Fair and Equitable Treatment. |
FIC | Foreign Investment Committee of the Republic of Zimbabwe. |
FMV | Fair Market Value. |
Forrester Companies | The companies incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Zimbabwe within the Forrester Estate, namely 1. Forrester Holdings (Private) Limited; 2. Forrester Estate (Private) Limited; and 3. Forrester Silk (Private) Limited. |
Forrester Estate | A tobacco growing and curing operation comprising ten properties. |
Forrester Loans | Loans extended to the Zimbabwean Companies or otherwise to investments in Zimbabwe by Elisabeth between 1994 and 1998. |
Forrester Properties | The ten properties that comprise the Forrester Estate, and which are listed in the Claimants' Memorial, Table 1. |
Forrester Shares | The combined share capital of the Forrester Companies. |
FPS | Full Protection and Security. |
FTP | Free Transfer of Payments. |
FTLRP | Fast Track Land Reform Programme, a phase during the Land Reform Programme. |
German BIT | The bilateral investment treaty between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Federal Republic of Germany signed on 29 September 1995 (CLEX-3). |
German Protocol | The protocol to the German BIT signed on 29 September 1996 (CLEX-3). |
ha | Hectares. |
Hangani | Hangani Development Co. (Private) Limited. |
Hearing | Joint hearing on jurisdiction, liability and quantum held at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, D.C. from 28 October to 2 November 2013 for ICSID Case Nos. ARB/10/15 and ARB/10/25. |
ICSID | International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. |
ICSID Arbitration Rules | Rules of Procedure for Arbitration Proceedings (April 2006). |
ICSID Convention | Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States. |
ILC Articles | International Law Commission's Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts (2001) UN Doc A/56/10. |
IMF | International Monetary Fund. |
Income-Generating Assets | The income-generating assets on the Residual Properties. |
Joint First Session | Joint first session for ICSID Case Nos. ARB/10/15 and ARB/10/25 held on 7 February 2011. |
Land Acquisition Act | Land Acquisition Act 1992. |
LRP | Land Reform Programme. |
Main Claims | Claims raised by the von Pezold Claimants and the Border Claimants in the Claimants' Memorial. |
Makandi Companies | The companies incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Zimbabwe within the Makandi Estate, namely 1. Makandi Tea and Coffee Estates (Private) Limited; 2. Large Scale Investments (Private) Limited; 3. Chipinge Holdings (Private) Limited; 4. Coffee Estates (Private) Limited; and 5. Rusitu Valley Development Company (Private) Limited. |
Makandi Estate | A mixed plantation, growing coffee, bananas, maize, macadamia nuts, avocados and timber, comprising nine properties. |
Makandi Properties | The nine properties that comprise the Makandi Estate, and which are listed in the Claimants' Memorial, Table 10. |
MDC | Movement for Democratic Change (a Zimbabwean political party). |
MFN | Most-Favoured Nation. |
NAFTA | North American Free Trade Agreement. |
NSV | Net Standing Value. |
Parent Claimants | 1. Bernhard Friedrich Arnd Rüdiger von Pezold; and 2. Elisabeth Regina Maria Gabriele von Pezold. |
Parties | Reference to the "Parties", for purposes of the present Award, without further specification, is a reference to both the von Pezold Claimants of Case No. ARB/10/15, the Border Claimants of Case No. ARB/10/25, and the Republic of Zimbabwe, being the Respondent in both cases. |
PCIJ | Permanent Court of International Justice. |
Petitioners | The ECCHR and four indigenous communities of Zimbabwe, who had sought leave to participate as amicus curiae in these proceedings. |
Residual Properties | The Border, Makandi and Forrester properties which were not directly affected by the 2005 Constitutional Amendment, which are however now said to be worthless because they are not viable on their own (defined in further detail in the Award). |
Respondent | The Republic of Zimbabwe, also referred to as the Government. |
Rüdiger | Bernhard Friedrich Arnd Rüdiger von Pezold. |
Section 5 Notice | Notice of proposed acquisition under Section 5 of the Land Acquisition Act 1992. |
Section 8 Order | A statutory order issued pursuant to the Land Acquisition Act 1992, vesting title to property that had been subject to a Section 5 Notice in the State of Zimbabwe. |
Settlers/War Veterans | The persons who settled on privately owned commercial land in Zimbabwe. As used by the Claimants, the term also refers to persons claiming to be "War Veterans" and other persons who had been promised, or expected, the provision of land by the Respondent pursuant to the Land Reform and Resettlement Programme. |
Swiss BIT | The bilateral investment treaty between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Swiss Confederation signed on 15 August 1996 (CLEX-5). |
Swiss Family Claimants | The von Pezold Claimants, save for Rüdiger |
UN | The United Nations. |
von Pezold Claimants | The Parent Claimants, the Adult Children Claimants and Adam von Pezold, i.e.: 1. Bernhard Friedrich Arnd Rüdiger von Pezold; 2. Elisabeth Regina Maria Gabriele von Pezold; 3. Anna Eleonore Elisabeth Webber (née von Pezold); 4. Heinrich Bernd Alexander Josef von Pezold; 5. Maria Juliane Andrea Christiane Katharina Batthàny (née von Pezold); 6. Georg Philipp Marcel Johann Lukas von Pezold; 7. Felix Alard Moritz Hermann Kilian von Pezold; 8. Johann Friedrich Georg Ludwig von Pezold; 9. and Adam Friedrich Carl Leopold Franz Severin von Pezold |
Water Permits | The 20-year permits relating to the use of public water for agricultural purposes, which in January 2000 replaced the previous Water Rights pursuant to the Water Act 1998. |
Water Rights | The rights created by the Water Act 1976 relating to the use of public water for agricultural purposes, later converted in January 2000 into Water Permits pursuant to the Water Act 1998. |
ZANU-PF | Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (a Zimbabwean political party). |
ZIA | Zimbabwe Investment Authority. |
ZIC | Same as for ZIA: the Zimbabwe Investment Authority. |
Zimbabwean Companies | A collective term for the Forrester, Border and Makandi Companies. |
Zimbabwean Company Shares | The combined share capital of the Zimbabwean Companies. |
Zimbabwean Note | Note from the Zimbabwean Minister of Finance to the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany dated 18 September 1996 (CLEX-3). |
Zimbabwean Properties | The Border, Makandi and Forrester properties directly affected by the 2005 Constitutional Amendment (defined in further detail in the Award).1 |
Cf. The definition of "Zimbabwean Properties" as used by the Claimants in their Memorial comprised "the Forrester Properties, the Border Properties and the Makandi Properties". See Mem., Glossary.
The present Award settles disputes that have arisen between the Border Claimants, defined below, and the Republic of Zimbabwe ("Zimbabwe" or the "Respondent") and that have been submitted to arbitration pursuant to the dispute settlement provision of the bilateral investment treaty entered into between the Swiss Confederation and Zimbabwe on 15 August 1996 (the "Swiss BIT").
As agreed by the Parties, the Tribunal in ICSID Case No. ARB/10/15 was to consist of three arbitrators, one appointed by each Party and the President of the Tribunal to be appointed by the two co-arbitrators. The Tribunal was constituted on 9 December 2010 in accordance with Article 37(2)(a) of the ICSID Convention and the ICSID 2006 Arbitration Rules. It was composed of The Hon. L. Yves Fortier, P.C., C.C., Q.C. (a national of Canada), appointed by agreement of the co-arbitrators to serve as President, Professor David A.R. Williams, Q.C. (a national of New Zealand), appointed by the von Pezold Claimants, and Professor A. Peter Mutharika (a national of Malawi), appointed by the Respondent. Mr. Marco Tulio Montañés-Rumayor was appointed as Secretary of the Tribunal. Ms. Frauke Nitschke replaced Mr. Montañés-Rumayor as Secretary of the Tribunal on 25 January 2011.
In accordance with ICSID Arbitration Rule 13(1), a first session was held on 7 February 2011 in London, England. Pursuant to an agreement by the Parties, the first session was held as a joint first session for ICSID Case Nos. ARB/10/15 and ARB/10/25 (the "Joint First Session").
22.1 Case Bernhard von Pezold & Ors v The Republic of Zimbabwe ICSID Case No. ARB/10/15, and case Border Timbers Limited & Ors v The Republic of Zimbabwe ICSID Case No. ARB/10/25 shall be heard together (but not formally consolidated).
22.2 The Claimants will submit joint pleadings, but will separately address those issues within a pleading where circumstances distinct to particular Claimants and/or case necessitate separate treatment.
22.3 Each witness statement and expert report shall state whether it applies to one case or the other case.
22.4 The Tribunal shall issue separate awards in relation to each case but may nevertheless discuss these arbitrations in any award or procedural order as a single set of proceedings, except where circumstances distinct to particular Claimants necessitate separate treatment.
On 6 June 2011, ICSID notified the Parties that Professor A. Peter Mutharika had submitted his resignation as arbitrator in both ICSID Case Nos. ARB/10/15 and ARB/10/25, and that the two proceedings were suspended in accordance with ICSID Arbitration Rule 10(2) until the vacancies resulting from Professor Mutharika's resignation had been filled. On 1 July 2011, ICSID notified the Parties pursuant to ICSID Arbitration Rule 8(2) that the Tribunals had consented to Professor Mutharika's resignations in the two proceedings and that, in accordance with ICSID Arbitration Rule 11(1), the vacancy on the Tribunals resulting from Professor Mutharika's resignation shall be promptly filled by the same method by which Professor Mutharika's appointments had been made.
By letter of 13 July 2011, the Respondent appointed Mr. Rajsoomer Lallah as arbitrator in the two proceedings. By letter of 25 July 2011, ICSID notified the Parties that Mr. Lallah was unavailable to accept the appointments and invited the Respondent to proceed to appoint another arbitrator in these two proceedings. On 12 August 2011, the Respondent appointed Professor An Chen, a national of the People's Republic of China, as arbitrator in the two proceedings, and Professor Chen subsequently accepted his appointments. The two Tribunals were reconstituted on 15 September 2011, and the proceedings resumed pursuant to ICSID Arbitration Rule 12.
On 19 May 2013, ICSID notified the Parties pursuant to ICSID Arbitration Rule 10(1) that Professor An Chen had submitted his resignation as arbitrator in these two proceedings. The proceedings were subsequently suspended in accordance with ICSID Arbitration Rule 10(2). The two Tribunals consented to Professor Chen's resignation on 20 May 2013 pursuant to ICSID Arbitration Rule 8(2), and the Respondent was invited to appoint an arbitrator to each of the two Tribunals.
The Parties' principal written pleadings, as contemplated by the Parties' original agreement to two rounds of written pleadings, are listed at numbers 1-4 in the table below. As discussed in more detail in the context of Procedural Order No. 3, dated 11 January 2013, and contrary to the indication made during the Joint First Session, the Respondent filed objections to jurisdiction in its Rejoinder. In light of the Tribunal's ruling in Procedural Order No. 3, which admitted into the record those objections pleaded by the Respondent in its Rejoinder, and subsequent directions from the Tribunal, the Parties filed further written submissions. The Parties' further written submissions are listed at numbers 5-25, which are also set out below:
No. | Pleading | Party | Date | Abbreviation |
1. | Memorial on the Merits | Claimants | 15 November 2011 | Mem. |
2. | Counter-Memorial on the Merits | Respondent | 11 August 2012 | CM |
3. | Reply on the Merits and Ancillary Claims | Claimants | 12 October 2012 | Reply |
4. | Rejoinder on the Merits, including Objections to Jurisdiction to the Claimants' Original Claim & Observations on Ancillary Claims | Respondent | 14 December 2012 | Rejoinder |
5. | Observations on the Rejoinder and a Response to Observations on Ancillary Claims | Claimants | 1 March 2012 | Surrejoinder |
6. | Response to Observations on the Rejoinder | Respondent | 19 April 2013 | Rebutter |
7. | Updated Request for Relief | Claimants | 15 May 2013 | |
8. | Corrected Quantum | Claimants | 15 May 2013 | |
9. | Re-Rebutter (i.e., addendum to the Respondent's 19 April 2013 Submission) | Respondent | 15 August 2013 | Re-Rebutter |
10. | Response to Re-Rebutter (i.e. observations on the Respondent's submission of 15 August 2013) | Claimants | 9 September 2013 | Re-Rebutter Response |
11. | Observations on the Claimants' Updated Request for Relief | Respondent | 9 September 2013 | |
12. | Updated Quantum Reply | Respondent | 9 September 2013 | |
13. | Reply to Response to Re-Rebutter (i.e., response to the Claimants' submission of 9 September 2013) | Respondent | 26 September 2013 | Re-Rebutter Reply |
14. | Response to the Respondent's submission of 9 September 2013 | Claimants | 26 September 2013 | Claimants' 9 September Response |
15. | Skeleton Argument | Claimants | 14 October 2013 | Cl. Skel. |
16. | Skeleton Argument | Respondent | 14 October 2013 | Resp. Skel. |
17. | Post-Hearing Brief | Claimants | 7 May 2014 | Cl. PHB |
18. | Post-Hearing Brief | Respondent | 7 May 2014 | Resp. PHB |
19. | Statement on Inadmissible Material Contained in Post-Hearing Brief | Claimants | 6 June 2014 | Statement on Inadmissible Material |
20. | Response to Statement on Inadmissible Material | Respondent | 2 July 2014 | Response to Statement on Inadmissible Material |
No. | Pleading | Party | Date | Abbreviation |
21. | Reply to Response to Statement on inadmissible Material | Claimants | 9 July 2014 | Reply to Response to Statement on Inadmissible Material |
22. | Claimants' Submission on Costs and Confirmation of Separate Awards | Claimants | 1 December 2014 | Cl. Costs Submission |
23. | Respondent's Submission on Costs and Fees | Respondent | 1 December 2014 | Resp. Costs Submission |
24. | Claimants' Comments on Respondent's Costs Submission of 1 December 2014 | Claimants | 18 December 2014 | Cl. Reply Costs Submission |
25. | Respondent's Reply to Claimants' Submission on Costs and Fees | Respondent | 18 December 2014 | Resp. Reply Costs Submission |
Procedural Order No. 16, dated 31 October 2011, related to document production and disposed of certain outstanding requests for documents made by the Claimants.
On 12 June 2012, the Claimants brought an urgent application for provisional measures pursuant to ICSID Arbitration Rule 39 relating to a request for disclosure of documents made outside of the procedure agreed between the Parties and recorded in the Minutes of the Joint First Session.
Procedural Order No. 2, dated 26 June 20127, disposed of a petition by the European Centre for Constitution and Human Rights ("ECCHR") and four indigenous communities of Zimbabwe for leave to participate as amicus curiae ("Petitioners"). Specifically, the ECCHR and the indigenous communities petitioned the Tribunal (i) for permission to file a written submission as joint amici curiae; (ii) for access to the key arbitration documents; and (iii) for permission to attend the oral hearings and to reply to any specific questions of the Tribunal on the written submissions.
The Claimants opposed the petition on several substantive grounds and noted that the Parties had agreed during the Joint First Session that no non-disputing party submissions would be made. The Claimants therefore took the position that the Tribunal had no residual discretion under Article 44 of the ICSID Convention to admit any such submissions into the record. The Respondent advised that, while the Parties had agreed that ICSID Arbitration Rule 37(2) would not apply to these proceedings, it had not anticipated that there could be any person or organisation with an interest in the matter apart from the Parties. The Respondent further stated that it had no objection to the Petitioners being allowed to file written submissions provided they fell within the scope of ICSID Arbitration Rule 37(2) and did not impinge on or amount to a challenge to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Zimbabwe.
The Tribunal denied the petition in its entirety. The Tribunal held that it had the discretion, upon consulting with the Parties, to allow a non-disputing party to file a written submission pursuant to ICSID Arbitration Rule 37(2), provided that certain minimum criteria were met. In this case, the Tribunal considered that the circumstances of the petition gave rise to legitimate doubts as to the independence or neutrality of the Petitioners, and that none of the criteria set out in ICSID Arbitration Rule 37(2) had been satisfied. The Tribunal further considered that, in light of the Tribunal's conclusions with respect to the application to file a written submission, it was unnecessary for the Tribunal to consider the subsidiary requests for access to documents and to attend the hearings in these proceedings. The Tribunal noted, however, that, pursuant to ICSID Arbitration Rule 32(2), where a party objects to the request of a non-disputing party to attend the hearings in a proceeding, a tribunal has no discretion to grant such a request over that party's objection, and that, accordingly, the Petitioners' request to attend the hearings in these proceedings must be denied in any event, as the Claimants had objected thereto.
Procedural Order No. 3, dated 11 January 2013 ("PO No. 3")8, disposed of an urgent application brought by the Claimants on 20 December 2012 in connection with jurisdictional challenges and new defences allegedly pleaded by the Respondent in its Rejoinder, filed with the Tribunal on 14 December 2012. The Claimants sought an order that the alleged jurisdictional challenges and new defences, insofar as they related to the Claimants' case as pleaded in the Memorial, were inadmissible or, alternatively, an order directing (i) that the jurisdictional challenges be joined to the merits of the cases and an additional round of briefing on these and the new defences be scheduled; (ii) that certain documents in support of the Rejoinder be produced; and (iii) that new, mutually acceptable hearing dates be set.
Following two rounds of written submissions by the Parties, the Tribunal admitted the Respondent's challenges to jurisdiction, certain of which related to ancillary claims raised by the Claimants in their Reply, and others of which related to the Claimants' case as pleaded in the Memorial, having found "special circumstances" to exist within the meaning of ICSID Arbitration Rule 26(3), and joined all of the challenges to jurisdiction to the merits of the two cases. Among the special circumstances, the Tribunal noted the retention by the Respondent of external counsel, Mr. Philip Kimbrough of Kimbrough & Associés, notified by the Respondent on 14 December 2012.
Procedural Order No. 4, dated 16 March 2013 ("PO No. 4")9, disposed of an urgent application for an order for provisional measures pursuant to Article 47 of the ICSID Convention and ICSID Arbitration Rule 39, which was brought by the Claimants on 6 March 2013. The application related to the appearance of a number of persons on one of the Claimants' properties in Zimbabwe, and the Claimants requested that the Tribunal "order the Respondent to instruct its police force to prevent people from coming onto the Claimants' Estate, and to the extent that those people have already arrived on the Claimants' Estate, to remove them, unless those people are authorised by the Claimants".
Reproduced as Annex 4 to the present Award.
Procedural Order No. 5, dated 3 April 2013 ("PO No. 5")10, disposed of an urgent application brought by the Claimants on 8 March 2013 for an order for provisional measures pursuant to Article 47 of the ICSID Convention and ICSID Arbitration Rule 39, relating to an alleged plan by the Respondent's Central Intelligence Organisation ("CIO") to kill one of the Claimants, Mr. Heinrich von Pezold.
Reproduced as Annex 5 to the present Award.
Procedural Order No. 6, dated 22 July 2013 ("PO No. 6")11, relates to an urgent application for an order for provisional measures pursuant to Article 47 of the ICSID Convention and ICSID Arbitration Rule 39(1), by which the Claimants requested the Tribunal to order the Respondent to instruct its police force to prevent all persons from coming onto certain of the Claimants' Estates, and to the extent that certain persons had already arrived onto the Estates, to remove them, unless their presence was authorized by the Claimants.
Reproduced as Annex 6 to the present Award.
Procedural Order No. 7, dated 8 August 2013 ("PO No. 7")12, disposed of an application by the Claimants relating to (i) a new jurisdictional objection allegedly pleaded by the Respondent for the first time in its pleading filed on 19 April 2013 (the "Rebutter" listed in the table above); and (ii) "new" evidence filed in support thereof and in support also of a prior jurisdictional objection raised in the Respondent's Rejoinder. The Claimants subsequently amended this application by agreeing to the admission of the "new" evidence for a limited purpose, and sought a further written procedure to respond to that evidence.
On 25 September 2013, the Tribunal issued Procedural Order No. 8 ("PO No. 8")13, disposing of a "procedural request" brought by the Respondent on 22 September 2013 in connection with its submission due on 23 September 2013, further to the supplemental briefing schedule directed by the Tribunal in PO No. 7. In essence, the Respondent requested an extension of the page limit of its submission, arguing that the Claimants had raised three new arguments in their 9 September 2013 submission.
In Procedural Order No. 9, dated 15 October 2013 ("PO No. 9")14, the Tribunal ruled on the admissibility of the various materials that were the subject of two applications brought by the Respondent on 2 October 2013 and 12 October 2013 respectively. The details of these applications and how they were disposed of by the Tribunal in PO No. 9 are set out in Section VI.F(2) of the present Award.
Procedural Order No. 10, dated 24 February 2014 ("PO No. 10")15, disposed of the Parties' proposed corrections to the transcripts made at the oral procedure. In PO No. 10, the Tribunal further decided to admit onto the record the post-hearing materials filed by the Respondent in response to questions posed by the Tribunal during the hearing (see below Section III.E.(2)). Finally, PO No. 10 also established the post-hearing procedure, i.e., that the Parties were to file their post-hearing briefs within 60 days from receipt of the corrected hearing transcript, and that either Party could file a brief statement with the Tribunal within 30 days from receipt of the other Party's post-hearing submission, identifying any material that that Party considered inadmissible in the other Party's submission. Finally, the Respondent's request for an extension of time for the filing of its post-hearing submission was denied.
Procedural Order No. 11, dated 15 July 2014 ("PO No. 11")16, disposed of the Respondent's communicated intention to file a reply to the Claimants' observations to the Respondent's procedural statement dated 2 July 2014 (the "Respondent's 2 July Procedural Statement"), and submitted in reply to the Claimants' procedural statement on inadmissibility. Although not presented with an application by the Respondent to file such a reply, the Tribunal communicated to the Parties by way of PO No. 11 that there was no need for another round of submissions and no special circumstances existed within the meaning of ICSID Arbitration Rule 26(3); to the extent applicable, that would justify allowing the Respondent a further written submission beyond what had been granted to it through the Tribunal's other procedural orders and directions.
Reproduced as Annex 11 to the present Award.
Procedural Order No. 12, dated 5 September 2014 ("PO No. 12")17, disposed in part of certain procedural requests made by the Respondent in its 2 July Procedural Statement. The Tribunal denied procedural requests (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix) and (x), which related to the alleged "emergence of new evidence" in the form of assertions purportedly made by the Claimants in their 6 June Statement on Inadmissibility, and held in reserve procedural requests (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) to be disposed of in this Award (see below Section VI.F.(4)).
Indeed, the issue of separate awards is not only a right in circumstances where there are separate proceedings, but also an imperative in these cases in order to protect the rights of the von Pezold Claimants, i.e. the claimants in ICSID Case No. ARB/10/15. The imperative arises because in the event of a single award, during the enforcement phase cooperation between all of the Claimants would be necessary. Such cooperation is likely to be impossible in the event that the Respondent takes control of the Border Company Claimants, which it may do in order to jeopardise the enforcement of a single award or for other reasons.
The discussion has taken place in a unified manner, without any clear distinction in issues, briefing or oral argument. Even the Exhibits were unified and not distinguished as between cases. The matters are so intertwined that it is appropriate to resolve all issues as a single award.
In Procedural Order No. 13 dated 23 December 2014 ("PO No. 13")18, the Tribunal found that, while the matters in issue in the two proceedings were indeed intertwined, in that they arose from substantially the same events, "from a practical perspective and as a matter of principle", the von Pezold Claimants and the Border Claimants, having filed their claims independently of each other, should also be able to pursue enforcement of any award independently of each other.
Mr. Heinrich von Pezold
Mr. Bernhard (Rüdiger) von Pezold
Mrs. Elisabeth von Pezold
Mr. Matthew Coleman, Steptoe & Johnson
Mr. Kevin Williams, Steptoe & Johnson
Mr. Anthony Rapa, Steptoe & Johnson
Ms. Helen Aldridge, Steptoe & Johnson
Mr. Charles Verrill, Jr., Wiley Rein
Mr. Thomas Innes, Steptoe & Johnson
Ms. June Booth, Steptoe & Johnson
Mr. Kenneth Schofield, Border Timbers Limited
Mr. Gideon Theron, Commercial Farmers' Union
Mr. Simon van der Lingen, Border Timbers Limited
Mr. George Bottger, Border Timbers Limited
Mr. Anthony Levitt, RGL Forensics
Mr. Richard Jenks, RGL Forensics
Ms. Helen Swain, RGL Forensics
Professor Stephen Chan, SOAS University
Mr. Alan Stephenson, Mills Fitchett
Mr. Paul Christopher Paul, Wintertons
Ms. Amanda von Pezold
Ms. Elba Schofield
Attending on behalf of the Respondent were:
The Honourable Douglas T. Mombeshora, Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement
Mr. Wellington Mvura, Aid to Minister Mombeshora
Ms. Sophia Christina Tsvakwi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement
Ms. Elizabeth Sumowah, Legal Advisor, Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement
Prince Machaya, Deputy Attorney General, Civil Division Attorney General's Office
Ms. Fortune Chimbaru, Chief Law Officer, Civil Division Attorney General's Office
Ms. Fatima Maxwell, Judge, Labour Court
Mr. Philip Kimbrough, Kimbrough & Associés
Mr. Tristan Moreau, Kimbrough & Associés
Minister Didymus Mutasa, Minister of State in the Office of the President and Cabinet
Mr. Onias C. Masiiwa, Chief Inspector Exchange Control
Mr. Grasiano Nyaguse, Director, Policy, Planning and Coordination, Ministry of Economic Planning and Development
Mr. Sifelani Moyo, Director, Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing
Dr. Joseph Kanyekanye, Group CEO, Allied Timbers
H.E. Ambassador Mapuranga Machivenyika, Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Whatmore Goora, Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Richard Chibuwe, Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in Washington, D.C.
On 3 February 2015, pursuant to Rule 38(1) of the ICSID Arbitration Rules, the Tribunal declared the proceedings closed in both the von Pezold and the Border arbitrations.
On 2 June 2015, the Tribunal came to the conclusion that it would be unable to draw up and sign the Award(s) by 3 June 2015, being 120 days after closure of the proceedings. Accordingly, pursuant to Rule 46 of the ICSID Arbitration Rules, the Tribunal then extended this period by a further 60 days and so notified the Parties.
The treaties under which the Claimants advance their claims are the German BIT, signed on 29 September 1995, and which entered into force on 14 April 200020, together with the Protocol to the German BIT which was signed on 29 September 1995 (the "German Protocol"), and the Swiss BIT, signed on 15 August 1996, and which entered into force on 9 February 2001, together with the Protocol to the Swiss BIT which was signed on 15 August 1996.
The Parties' arbitration agreements are contained in the respective BITs. Article 11 of the German BIT provides as follows in connection with the settlement of disputes arising under the treaty between a Contracting State and an investor of a Contracting State:
Settlement of Investment Disputes between a Contracting Party and an Investor of the Other Contracting Party
(1) Disputes between a Contracting Party and a national or company of the other Contracting Party concerning an investment of such national or company in the territory of the former Contracting Party shall as far as possible be settled amicably between the parties concerned.
(2) If the dispute is not settled within six months of the date when it is raised by one of the parties in dispute, it shall, at the request of the national or company concerned, be submitted for arbitration. Each Contracting Party hereby consents to submit the dispute to arbitration. Unless the parties in dispute agree otherwise, the dispute shall be submitted for arbitration under the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of other States of 18th March, 1965. The arbitral tribunal constituted pursuant to the said Convention shall reach its decisions on the basis of this Agreement, any treaties in force between the Contracting Parties, such rules of general international law as may be applicable, and the domestic law of the Contracting Party in the territory of which the investment in question is situated.
(3) The award shall be binding on the parties and shall not be subject to any appeal or remedy other than that provided for in the said Convention. The award shall be enforced in accordance with the domestic law of the Contracting Party in the territory of which the investment in question is situated.
(4) During arbitration proceedings or proceedings for the enforcement of an award, the Contracting Party involved in the dispute shall not raise the objection that the national or company concerned has received compensation under an insurance contract in respect of all or part of his or its damage or losses.
Article 10 of the Swiss BIT provides as follows in connection with the settlement of disputes arising under the treaty between a Contracting State and an investor of a Contracting State:
Disputes between a Contracting Party and an investor of the other Contracting Party
(1) For the purpose of solving disputes with respect to investments between a Contracting Party and an investor of the other Contracting Party and without prejudice to Article 11 of this Agreement (Disputes between Contracting Parties), consultations will take place between the parties concerned.
(2) If these consultations do not result in a solution within six months and if the investor concerned gives written consent, the dispute shall be submitted to the arbitration of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes instituted by the Convention of Washington of March 18, 1965, for the settlement of disputes regarding investments between States and nationals of other States.
Each party may start the procedure by addressing a request to that effect to the Secretary-General of the Centre as foreseen by Article 28 and 36 of the above-mentioned Convention. Should the parties disagree on whether conciliation or arbitration is the most appropriate procedure, the investor concerned shall have the final decision.
(3) The arbitral tribunal shall decide on the basis of the present Agreement and other relevant agreements between the Contracting Parties; the terms of any particular agreement that has been concluded with respect to the investment; the law of the Contracting State party to the dispute, including its rules on the conflict of laws; such rules of international law as may be applicable.
(4) The Contracting Party which is a party to the dispute shall not at any time during the procedures assert as a defence its immunity or the fact that the investor has received compensation under an insurance contract covering the whole or part of the incurred damage or loss.
(5) Neither Contracting Party shall pursue through diplomatic channels a dispute submitted to the arbitration of the Centre unless the other Contracting Party does not abide by and comply with the award rendered by the arbitral tribunal.
(6) The arbitral award shall be final and binding for the parties involved in the dispute and shall be enforceable in accordance with the laws of the Contracting Party in which the investment in question is located.
The von Pezold Claimants seek declaratory relief and restitution plus compensation, or compensation alone, for the alleged violations by the Respondent of the terms of the German and Swiss BITs21. In particular, the von Pezold Claimants seek the following relief from this Tribunal (see Cl. Corrected Request for Relief, Section II):
Declaratory Relief - Jurisdiction
8.1 In relation to the von Pezold Claimants, a declaration that:
8.1.1 the German BIT provisionally applied from 18 September 1996;
8.1.2 the Tribunals have jurisdiction over their claims;
8.1.3 the Respondent is estopped from denying that the German BIT applies to their investments;
8.1.4 further or alternatively to the relief requested in para 8.1.3 above, the Respondent is estopped from denying that their investments were specifically approved by the Respondent's competent authorities at the time of their admission, or denying any other facts (whether true or not) that may prevent the German BIT from being applicable to their investments;"
Declaratory Relief - Respondent's defences
8.2 In relation to the von Pezold Claimants, a declaration that all of the Respondent's defences are denied and dismissed.
Declaratory Relief - MFN
8.3 In relation to the Claimant Rüdiger, a declaration that he may invoke the German MFN Clauses to:
8.3.1 rely on Article 6(1) of the Swiss BIT, to the extent that Article accords more favourable treatment than Article 4(2) of the German BIT (non-discrimination and expropriation);
8.3.2 rely on Article 5(5) of the Danish BIT, to the extent that Article accords more favourable treatment than Ad Article 4 of the German Protocol (impairment of shares);
8.3.3 rely on Articles 5(1) and 5(2) of the Danish BIT, to the extent those articles accord more favourable treatment than Article 4(2) of the German BIT (compensation at fair market value for lawful expropriation);
8.3.4 be accorded restitution in kind, which is the more favourable treatment that has been granted to other foreign investors, and which has not been granted to him;
8.4 In relation to the Swiss Family Claimants, a declaration that they may invoke the MFN Clauses to:
8.4.1 rely on Article 5(5) of the Danish BIT, to the extent that Article accords more favourable treatment than Ad Article 4 of the German Protocol, and Article 6(2) of the Swiss BIT (impairment of shares); •
8.4.2 rely on Articles 5(1) and 5(2) of the Danish BIT, to the extent those Articles accord more favourable treatment than Article 4(2) of the German BIT, and Article 6(1) of the Swiss BIT (compensation at fair market value for lawful expropriation);
8.4.3 be accorded restitution in kind, which is the more favourable treatment that has been granted to other foreign investors, and which has not been granted to them.
Declaratory Relief - Breaches of the BITs
8.5 In relation to the von Pezold Claimants, a declaration that the Respondent has breached the following Articles of the German BIT:
8.5.1 Article 4(2) by unlawfully expropriating the von Pezold Claimants' investments and returns in that it has not observed the Conditions Permitting Expropriation;
8.5.2 Alternatively, Article 4(2) by expropriating the von Pezold Claimants' investments and returns in that it has not observed the Conditions Permitting Expropriation;
8.5.3 Article 2(1) by failing to accord fair and equitable treatment to the von Pezold Claimants, their investments and their returns;
8.5.4 Article 2(2) by taking unreasonable, arbitrary and discriminatory measures that impaired the management, maintenance use, enjoyment and disposal of the von Pezold Claimants' investments and their returns;
8.5.5 Article 4(1) by failing to accord the von Pezold Claimants, their investments and their returns full protection and security;
8.5.6 Article 5, 6(1) & (2) by failing to allow the free transfer of payments in connection with the von Pezold Claimants' investments; and
8.6 In relation to the von Pezold Claimants, a declaration that the Respondent has breached Article 5(5) of the Danish BIT (as applicable through the operation of the MFN Clauses) by impairing or diminishing the fair market value of the von Pezold Claimants' shares in the Forrester Companies, the Border Company Claimants and the Makandi Companies without the payment of prompt, adequate and effective compensation;
8.7 In relation to the Swiss Family Claimants, a declaration that the Respondent has breached the following Articles of the Swiss BIT:
8.7.1 Article 6(1) by unlawfully expropriating the Swiss Family Claimants' Investments and returns in that it has not observed the Conditions Permitting Expropriation;
8.7.2 Alternatively, Article 6(1) by expropriating the Swiss Family Claimants' investments and returns in that it has not observed the Conditions Permitting Expropriation;
8.7.3 Article 4(1) failing to accord fair and equitable treatment to the Swiss Family Claimants, their investments, and their returns;
8.7.4 Article 4(1) by taking unreasonable and discriminatory measures that impaired the management, maintenance, use, enjoyment, extension, and disposal of the Swiss Family Claimants' investments and returns;
8.7.5 Article 4(1) by failing to accord the Swiss Family Claimants, their investments and returns full protection and security;
8.7.6 Article 5 by failing to allow the free transfer of payments relating to the Swiss Family Claimants' investments; and
Declaratory Relief - Breaches of International Law
8.8 In relation to the von Pezold Claimants, a declaration that the Respondent:
8.8.1 in applying the Land Reform and Resettlement Programme to the von Pezold Claimants has grossly and/or systematically failed to fulfil its obligation arising under a peremptory norm of general international law, namely not to discriminate against people based on race or colour, and the consequences as stated in Article 4(1)of the ILC Articles apply;
8.8.2 has breached customary international law by expropriating the von Pezold Claimants' investments without the observance of the principles that expropriation under customary international law must be for a public purpose, be non-discriminatory, observe due process of law, and be accompanied by payment of prompt, adequate and effective compensation.
Declaratory Relief - Breaches of Zimbabwean Law
8.9 In relation to the von Pezold Claimants, a declaration that the Respondent in applying the Land Reform Programme to the von Pezold Claimants has breached s. 18(1) and s. 23 of the Constitution.
Declaratory Relief - As to Election
8.10 In relation to the von Pezold Claimants, a declaration that they may elect to be awarded Heads of Loss 1, 2, 5, 9, 10, 14, and 15 in Corrected Annex 1 in the amounts as assessed on the date of breach or on the current date, whichever may be higher after interest has been applied. All other Heads of Loss in Corrected Annex 1, in so far as they relate to the von Pezold Claimants, shall be assessed on the date of breach.
Declaratory Relief - Damage Caused by Respondent
8.11 In relation to the von Pezold Claimants, a declaration that the breaches of the BITs, international law and Zimbabwean law as pleaded in paragraphs 8.5 to 8.9 above have damaged the productive capacity and infrastructure of the Forrester Estate, the Border Estate and the Makandi Estate and thereby caused losses to the von Pezold Claimants, entitling the von Pezold Claimants, through restitution and compensation, to be put into the position that they would have been in had those breaches not occurred.
Restitution in kind and compensation, or compensation alone
(a) Restitution in kind and compensation
8.12 In relation to the von Pezold Claimants, in regard to the Forrester, Border and Makandi Estates, ordering the Respondent:
8.12.1 to reinstate the companies listed in Table 1, Table 6 and Table 10 in the Memorial (as amended, "The Tables"), within 45 days of the dispatch of the Tribunal's award ("the Restitution Window"), with the full legal title (unencumbered) (or alternatively to issue equivalent new legal title (unencumbered)), and the exclusive control, to each of the properties that they respectively owned (as listed in the Tables) before they were expropriated by the Respondent pursuant to the Constitutional Amendment, together with the Water Rights and the Permits listed respectively in Table 1 and Table 3 of the Reply (this relief is hereafter referred to as "the Restitution"), and, in addition, within 60 days of the dispatch of the Tribunal's award, to pay those of the von Pezold Claimants, as specified below, compensation in the following sums:
Concerning the Forrester Estate
8.12.1.1 US$37,372,172 divided equally between the Parent Claimants or in such other manner of allocation that they may prefer;
8.12.1.2 US$7,186,302 or alternatively, US$8,697,776 to Elisabeth or in such other manner of allocation as Elisabeth may prefer;
Concerning the Border Estate
8.12.1.3 US$42,222,481 divided as follows - 44% to each of the Parent Claimants, 12% divided equally between the Adult Children Claimants, or in such other manner of allocation that they may prefer; or
In the alternative, compensation alone
8.12.2 in the alternative to the relief requested in para. 8.12.1 above, or if the Restitution is not made in full within the Restitution Window, to pay, within 60 days of the dispatch of the Tribunal's award, the von Pezold Claimants compensation in the following sums:
8.12.2.1 in relation to the Forrester Estate, US$61,874,400, divided equally between the Parent Claimants or in such other manner of allocation that they may prefer;
8.12.2.2 in relation to the Forrester Estate, US$7,186,302 or alternatively, US$8,697,776, to Elisabeth or in such other manner of allocation as Elisabeth may prefer;
8.12.2.3 in relation to the Border Estate, US$130,848,074, divided as follows -44% to each of the Parent Claimants, 12% divided equally between the Adult Children Claimants, or in such other manner of allocation that they may prefer;
8.12.2.4 in relation to the Makandi Estate, compensation in the sum of US$13,930,012, divided equally between the Parent Claimants or in such other manner of allocation that they may prefer.
Moral damages
8.13 In relation to the von Pezold Claimants, ordering the Respondent to pay them moral damages of US$13,000,000, allocated as US$5,000,000 to Heinrich and US$1,000,000 to each of the other von Pezold Claimants;
Interest
8.14 In relation to the von Pezold Claimants, ordering the Respondent to pay them compound interest on any damages, save for moral damages, at the rate of 21.5%, compounded every six months, from the dates as stated in the Second Levitt Report, and as indicated in Corrected Annex 1, until the date of payment, or alternatively at an interest rate of 9.8%, or alternatively at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 4%, compounded at the same intervals, payable over the same periods;
Costs and further or additional relief
8.15 In relation to the von Pezold Claimants, ordering the Respondent to pay them (in the currency incurred) all costs and expenses of this arbitration, including the fees and expenses of the Tribunal, experts and the cost of legal representation, plus interest thereon until the date of payment; and
8.16 Further or additional relief as may be appropriate under the applicable law. [citations/footnotes and Annex omitted]
Rüdiger von Pezold seeks relief solely under the German BIT. But see para. 88, 8.3 below.
Declaratory Relief - Jurisdiction
9.1 In relation to the Border Company Claimants, a declaration that:
9.1.1 the Tribunals have jurisdiction over their claims;
Declaratory Relief - Respondent's defences
9.2 In relation to the Border Company Claimants, a declaration that all of the Respondent's defences are denied and dismissed;
Declaratory Relief - MFN
9.3 A declaration that the Border Company Claimants may invoke the
Swiss MFN Clauses to:
9.3.1 rely on Article 5(5) of the Danish BIT, to the extent that Article accords more favourable treatment than Article 6(2) of the Swiss BIT (impairment of shares);
9.3.2 rely on Article 6 of the German BIT, to the extent that Article accords more favourable treatment than Article 5 of the Swiss BIT (free transfer of payments);
9.3.3 rely on Articles 5(1) and 5(2) of the Danish BIT, to the extent those Articles are more favourable than Article 6(1) of the Swiss BIT (compensation at fair market value for lawful expropriation);
9.3.4 be accorded restitution in kind, which is the more favourable treatment that has been granted to other foreign investors, and which has not been granted to them.
Declaratory Relief- Breaches of the BITs
9.4 In relation to the Border Company Claimants a declaration that the Respondent has breached the following Articles of the Swiss BIT:
9.4.1 Article 6(1) by unlawfully expropriating the Border Company Claimants' investments and returns in that it has not observed the Conditions Permitting Expropriation;
9.4.2 Alternatively, Article 6(1) by expropriating the Border Company Claimants' investments and returns in that it has not observed the Conditions Permitting Expropriation;
9.4.3 Article 4(1) by failing to accord fair and equitable treatment to the Border Company Claimants, their investments, and their returns;
9.4.4 Article 4(1) by taking unreasonable and discriminatory measures that impaired the management, maintenance, use, enjoyment, extension, and disposal of the Border Company Claimants' investments and their returns;
9.4.5 Article 4(1) by failing to accord the Border Company Claimants, their investments and returns full protection and security;
9.4.6 Article 5 by failing to allow the free transfer of payments relating to the Border Company Claimants' investments.
9.5 In relation to Border, a declaration that the Respondent has breached Article 5(5) of the Danish BIT (as applicable through the operation of the Swiss MFN Clauses) by impairing or diminishing the fair market value of Border's shares in Hangani and Border International without the payment of prompt, adequate and effective compensation.
Declaratory Relief - Breaches of International Law
9.6 In relation to the Border Company Claimants, a declaration that the Respondent:
9.6.1 in applying the Land Reform and Resettlement Programme to the Border Company Claimants has grossly and/or systematically failed to fulfil its obligation arising under a peremptory norm of general international law, namely not to discriminate against people based on race or colour, and the consequences as stated in Article 41 of the ILC Articles apply;
9.6.2 has breached international law by expropriating the Border Company Claimants' investments without the observance of the principles that expropriation under customary international law must be for a public purpose, be non- discriminatory, observe due process of law, and be accompanied by payment of prompt, adequate and effective compensation.
Declaratory Relief - Breaches of Zimbabwean Law
9.7 In relation to the Border Company Claimants, a declaration that the Respondent in applying the Land Reform Programme to the Border Company Claimants has breached s18(1)57 and s2358 of the Constitution.
Declaratory Relief - As to Election
9.8 In relation to the Border Company Claimants, a declaration that they may elect to be awarded Heads of Loss 9 and 10 in Corrected Annex 1 in the amounts as assessed on the date of breach or on the current date, whichever may be higher after interest has been applied. All other Heads of Loss in Corrected Annex 1, in so far as they relate to the Border Company Claimants, shall be assessed on the date of breach.
Declaratory Relief - Damage Caused by Respondent
9.9 In relation to the Border Company Claimants, a declaration that the breaches of the BITs, international law and Zimbabwean law as pleaded in paras 9.4 to 9.7 above have damaged the productive capacity and infrastructure of the Border Estate and thereby caused losses to the Border Company Claimants, entitling the Border Company Claimants, through restitution and compensation, to be put into the position that they would have been in had those breaches not occurred.
Restitution in kind and compensation, or compensation alone
(a) Restitution in kind and compensation
9.10 In relation to the Border Company Claimants, ordering the Respondent:
9.10.1 to reinstate Border Timbers Limited and Hangani Development Co. (Private) Limited, within 45 days of the dispatch of the Tribunal's award ("the Restitution Window"), with the full legal title (unencumbered) (or in the alternative to issue equivalent new legal title (unencumbered)) and the exclusive control, to each of the properties that they respectively owned (as listed in Table 6 in the Memorial, as amended) before they were expropriated by the Respondent pursuant to the Constitutional Amendment (this relief is hereafter referred to as "the Restitution"), and, in addition, within 60 days of the dispatch of the Tribunal's award, to pay compensation of US$48,817,76160 allocated to Border Timbers Limited or in such manner of allocation that the Border Company Claimants may prefer; or
(b) In the alternative, compensation alone
9.10.2 in the alternative to the relief requested in paragraph 9.10.1 above, or if the Restitution is not made in full within the Restitution Window, to pay, within 60 days of the dispatch of the Tribunal's award, the Border Company Claimants compensation of US$151,286,939 61 allocated to Border Timbers Limited or in such manner of allocation that the Border Company Claimants may prefer.
Moral damages
9.11 Ordering the Respondent to pay the Border Company Claimants moral damages of US$5,000,000, allocated to Border Timbers Limited or in such manner of allocation that the Border Company Claimants may prefer;
Interest
9.12 Ordering the Respondent to pay the Border Company Claimants compound interest on any damages, save for moral damages, at the rate of 21.5%, compounded every six months, from the dates as stated in the Second Levitt Report, and as indicated in Corrected Annex 1, until the date of payment, or alternatively at an interest rate of 9.8%, or alternatively at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 4%, compounded at the same intervals, payable over the same periods;
Costs and further or additional relief
9.13 Ordering the Respondent to pay the Border Company Claimants (in the currency incurred) all costs and expenses of this arbitration, including the fees and expenses of the Tribunal, and experts, and the cost of legal representation, plus interest thereon until the date of payment; and
9.14 Further or additional relief as may be appropriate under the applicable law. [citations/footnotes and Annex omitted]
RESPONDENT RESPECTFULLY REQUESTS THE ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL TO DECLARE:
1 THAT THE FOLLOWING FACTS RELEVANT TO JURISDICTION ARE ON THE RECORD
1.1 that consent is the cornerstone of ICSID jurisdiction and must be in writing
1.2 that consent of the parties to ICSID jurisdiction takes the form of the provisions of the Swiss BIT and the German BIT
1.2.1 that Article 9 of the German BIT applies in its entirety
1.2.2 that Article 2 of the Swiss BIT applies
1.3 that Respondent had in place at all relevant times
1.3.1 FIC / ZIC / ZIA Foreign Investment approval procedures
1.3.2 Stock Exchange Rules
1.3.3 Exchange Control Regulations
1.4 that Claimants did not comply with Local Law procedures, in particular Foreign Investment Regulations, Stock Exchange Rules and Exchange Control Regulations, to confer 'foreign investor" status on their acquisitions of holdings
1.5 that Claimants have not produced any writing which proves their respect of the provisions of Article 9 a) of the German BIT, as regards Foreign Investment Regulations, Stock Exchange Rules and Exchange Control Regulations
1.6 that Claimants have not produced any writing which proves their respect of the provisions of Article 9 b), as regards Foreign Investment Regulations
1.7 that Claimants have not produced any writing which proves their respect of the provisions of Article 2 of the Swiss BIT, as regards in particular Foreign Investment Regulations, Stock Exchange Rules and Exchange Control Regulations
1.8 that Claimants have not proven any valid approval -- whether prior to their confidential acquisitions or thereafter, such as subsequent to entry into force of the Swiss BIT or the German BIT
1.9 that the provisions of the Swiss BIT and the German BIT that are to be upheld -- by both the party claiming protected investor status and the Host State -- include all of the terms of the BIT particularly Article 9 a) and Article 9 b) of the German BIT and Article 2 of the Swiss BIT
1.10 that Claimants have not proven any waiver of the provisions of the German and the Swiss BITs, binding on the State of Zimbabwe
1.11 that Claimants have not proven that the State of Zimbabwe solicited these investments.
1.12 that Claimants have not proven estoppel
1.13 that Illegality vitiates consent
2 THAT AS TO JURISDICTION THERE ARE SIX LEGALLY-DISTINCT REASONS THESE ARBITRAL TRIBUNALS HAVE NO JURISDICTION
2.1 that Claimants' acquisitions do not meet the "in accordance with the laws of the Host State" condition to Respondent's consent under Article 2 of the Swiss BIT, as Claimants did not comply with local laws, rules and regulations that existed at all relevant times:
2.1.1 Cap on holdings under Zimbabwe Stock Exchange Regulations
2.1.2 Zimbabwe Exchange Control Regulations
2.1.3 Zimbabwe Foreign Investment Regulations
2.2 that Claimants' acquisitions do not meet the "in accordance with the laws of the Host State" condition to Respondent's consent under Article 9a of the German BIT, as Claimants did not comply with:
2.2.1 Local laws, rules and regulations that existed at all relevant times:
2.2.1.1 Cap on holdings under Zimbabwe Stock Exchange Regulations
2.2.1.2 Zimbabwe Exchange Control Regulation
2.2.1.3 Zimbabwe Foreign Investment Regulations
2.2.2 The "specific approval" requirement of Article 9b) of the German BIT for an ition to constitute a "foreign investment" incorporated into Local Law by means of the treaty being ratified and thus also applicable under Article 9a) of the German BIT
2.3 that Claimants' acquisitions are not a protected investment but a mere "holding" of a "portfolio"
2.4 that Claimants' acquisitions do not meet the "Specific approval" condition to Respondent's consent under Article 9 b) of the German BIT
2.5 that there is no consent by Respondent to ICSID protection for Claimants' acquisitions as per the ICISD Convention and as per ICSID case law
2.6 that the dispute does not arise out of an "investment" within the meaning of the ICISD Convention
2.6.1 that Claimants have not made any "new" investment as foreseen by the State Parties at the time of entering into the BITs
2.6.2 that Claimants have not proven any contribution to the economy of the Host State and drained off the riches of the Host State into a nebulous maze of tax havens, thereby weakening the economy of the Host State
2.6.3 that Claimants' confidential holdings are merely commercial interests in the nature of a portfolio, not a protected investment
2.6.4 that Claimants' own argument shows that their acquisitions did not involve risk, so not a protected investment
2.6.5 that Claimants' indirect claims are not within ICSID jurisdiction
3 THAT, EVEN IF JURISDICTION; THE SIX REASONS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 2.1 THROUGH 2.6 ABOVE ALSO CAUSE CLAIMANTS' CONFIDENTIAL ACQUISITIONS NOT TO BE PROTECTED INVESTMENTS AS TO THE MERITS
3.1 that Claimants did serious due diligence
3.2 that Claimants did not seek or have any guarantee other than local law
4 THAT EVEN IF JURISDICTION, THERE ARE THREE LEGALLY-DISTINCT FOUNDATIONS UPON WHICH ZIMBABWE LAND REFORM MEASURES CONSTITUTE NON-PRECLUDED MEASURES
4.1 that Zimbabwe Land Reform is a Non-Precluded Measure as « force majeure » under ILC draft Article 23
4.1.1 that the massive-popular-uprisings-all-across-Zimbabwe were spontaneous, contrary to Government plans and are part of the overwhelming and ineluctable March of History
4.1.2 that the Zimbabwean Government was not in favor of the massive-popular-spontaneous-ineluctable-uprisings-all-across-Zimbabwe
4.1.3 that no one -- including Claimants and the members of these Arbitral Tribunals - can be sure in their deepest conscience that had they been in a position in the Zimbabwean Government and had they ordered police -- including CFU reserve police troops -- to suppress the massive-popular-spontaneous-ineluctable-uprisings-all-across-Zimbabwe that an Egypt or Syria style internal massacre would not have occurred
4.1.4 that the State of Zimbabwe was correct in not ordering its police to fire on the population of Zimbabwe
4.1.5 that President Mugabe and the Government, faced with the circumstances imposed upon them by the massive-popular-spontaneous-ineluctable- uprisings-all-across-Zimbabwe managed a difficult situation as best they could and have worked for the good of the Zimbabwean People
4.1.6 that the Zimbabwean Government was cautious and reasonable towards the masses of land-hungry Zimbabweans who marched with sticks and stones
4.1.7 that War veterans are neither "thugs," nor "rubber stamps" nor are they "the State"
4.1.8 that War veterans' and the land-hungry masses' hostility to the Government's slow pace of land reform forced the Government to embark on Fast Track Land Reform,
4.1.9 that the Zimbabwean Government was cautious and reasonable towards European Landed Gentry
4.1.10 that in particular, the Zimbabwean State acted cautiously and reasonably as concerns Claimants, as Respondent's granted Claimants eight years of substantially unencumbered use of the Forrester Estate, the Border Estate and the Makandi Estate
4.1.11 that the massive-popular-spontaneous-ineluctable-uprisings-all- across- Zimbabwe were for Respondent an irresistible force
4.2 that Zimbabwe Land Reform is a Non-Precluded Measure as « distress» under ILC draft Article 24 as Respondent's recognition of the overwhelming force of the masses saved countless lives of persons entrusted to the Host State's care
4.3 that Zimbabwe Land Reform is a Non-Precluded Measure as «necessity» under ILC draft Article 25 as it avoided grave danger to the essential interests of the State
4.3.1 that such emergency crisis threats were sufficiently grave to trigger application of the State of Necessity defence
4.3.2 that the events of massive-popular-spontaneous-ineluctable-uprisings-all- across-Zimbabwe in their historic context were an emergency or crisis out of the ordinary day-to-day functioning of the State from 16 February 2000 through 16 March 2013 through 16 March 2013
4.3.3 that the massive-popular-spontaneous-ineluctable-uprisings-all-across-Zimbabwe ongoingness of the State of Zimbabwe
5 THAT EVEN IF JURISDICTION, ZIMBABWE LAND REFORM IS A NON-PRECLUDED MEASURE AS "PUBLIC ORDER" UNDER GERMAN BIT
5.1 that the German BIT excludes from BIT protection for the investor decisions made by the Host State in order to maintain "public order"
5.2 that "public order" properly has the broad German definition and not the narrow North American definition
5.3 that the massive-popular-spontaneous-ineluctable-uprisings-all-across-Zimbabwe constituted an emergency or crisis, with threats sufficiently grave to trigger application of the BIT "public order" exception
6 THAT IN THE EVENT THE ARBITRAL TRIBUNALS FIND EITHER CLAIMANTS' FAILURE TO RESPECT ARTICLE 2B) "SPECIFIC APPROVAL" REQUIREMENT OR THAT ZIMBABWE LAND REFORM IS A NON-PRECLUDED MEASURE AS PER THE "PUBLIC ORDER" PROVISION OF THE GERMAN BIT, NO APPLICATION OF THE SWISS BIT IS POSSIBLE
6.1 that Claimant Rudiger cannot benefit from any protection under the Swiss BIT
6.2 that Claimants have not proven the percentage holdings owned directly, indirectly, beneficially or which are "controlled" or "handled" by Claimant Rudiger, so no accurate determination of damages is sufficiently certain under the Swiss BIT
6.3 that there is insufficient proof upon which any award might be granted
7 THAT THE FACTS AND LAW PRECLUDE WRONGFULNESS UNDER THE SWISS BIT, THE GERMAN BIT AND INTERNATIONAL LAW
7.1 that as the uprisings of the Zimbabwean people were, massive, popular, spontaneous and ineluctable, Zimbabwe Land Reform is a "Public Purpose" which excludes "wrongfulness"
7.1.1 that Zimbabwe Land Reform increased well-being of Zimbabweans and has been successful
7.1.1.1 that the interests of the Zimbabwean people have been and are being served by the Land Reform Programme
7.1.1.2 that the interests of the Zimbabwean women have been and are being served by the Land Reform Programme
7.1.1.3 that the future holds promise in part thanks to Zimbabwe Land Reform
7.1.1.4 that a successful revolution begets its own legality and the Zimbabwean Revolution has succeeded
7.1.1.5 that Fast Track Land Reform has attenuated history of violence in Zimbabwe
7.2 that Claimants' negative arguments to cancel public purpose are not sound
7.2.1 that publicity Is not the basis of law
7.2.2 that Respondent did not discriminate against people based on race or colour
7.2.3 that Zimbabwe Land Reform has advanced Human rights for Zimbabweans
7.2.4 that human rights treaties recognize limitations on otherwise protected rights for specified, overarching public policy reasons, such as security and public order
7.2.5 that the popular uprisings are not attributable to the State of Zimbabwe
7.2.6 that controlling squatters has never been successful, whomever attempts to evict the locals from their ancestors' land
7.2.7 that Claimants' other arguments that Zimbabwe's Fast Track Land Reform violated BIT protections must fail as to:
7.2.7.1 Fair and Equitable Treatment
7.2.7.2 Full protection and Security
7.2.7.3 Compensation: the Zimbabwean State granted Claimants eight years of substantially unencumbered use of the Forrester Estate, the Border Estate and the Makandi Estate, which meets the requirement of prompt, adequate and effective compensation
7.2.7.4 Zimbabweans are not either subsistence farmers or corrupt elite
7.3 that Claimants' position as to its legitimate expectations is unfounded and any legitimate expectations Claimants might have do not contradict
7.3.1 the lack of "wrongfulness" of the taking
7.3.2 "Public Order"
7.3.3 "Essential Interests" interpretations
7.4 that Claimants' anachronistic model cannot be propulsed into the future
7.5 that the Respondent did not breach any terms of the B/Ts that apply to it
7.6 that the taking was lawful
8 THAT NO INDEMNITIES, COMPENSATION, DAMAGES OR INTEREST IS DUE FOR REASON:
8.1 that Claimants' acquisitions do not meet the "in accordance with the laws of the Host State" condition to Respondent's consent under Article 2 of the Swiss BIT
8.2 that Claimants' acquisitions do not meet the "in accordance with the laws of the Host State" condition to Respondent's consent under Article 9a of the German BIT
8.3 that Claimants' acquisitions do not meet the "Specific approval" condition to Respondent's consent under Article 9 b) of the German BIT
8.4 that Claimants' acquisitions are not a protected investment but a mere "holding" of a "portfolio"
8.5 that there is no consent by Respondent to ICSID protection for Claimants' acquisitions as per the ICISD Convention and ICSID case law
8.6 that the dispute does not arise out of an "investment" within the meaning of the ICISD Convention
8.7 that a legitimate public purpose suffices to qualify the measure, the Land Reform Programme and the ensuring police power decisions in the case at hand, as being a normal exercise of police powers and hence non compensable, irrespective of the magnitude of its effects on the investment
9 THAT FROM 16 FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH 16 MARCH 2013 ANY INDEMNITIES, COMPENSATION, DAMAGES OR INTEREST THAT MIGHT OTHER WISE BE AWARDED ARE SUSPENDED AND ANY CALCULATIONS ONLY COMMENCE AS FROM 17 MARCH 2013
9.1 that a state of emergency began in Zimbabwe on 16 February 2000, continued thereafter, and ended on 16 March 2013
9.2 that any amounts that might otherwise be due or payable during this period are excused during that period of suspension
10 AS TO CLAIMANTS' REQUEST FOR INDEMNITIES, COMPENSATION AND DAMAGES
10.1 that Claimants' monetary claims are not properly founded for the legal reasons discussed above, are ill-advised as to evaluation and should be denied:
10.1.1 that Dr Kanyekanye has demonstrated that Claimants' forestry assumptions on which their claims are based are incorrect
10.1.2 that Dr Kanyekanye has determined the value of the Border Estate
10.1.3 that Mr. Moyo has determined the maximum valuations of the Forrester, Makandi and Border Estates
10.2 that subsidiarily, were the Arbitral Tribunals to find that any portion of Claimants' claims were protected, the following amounts are the maximum amount of indemnities, compensation and damages
10.2.1 that Mr Moyo's final corrected expert valuations prove that the maximum valuation:
10.2.1.1 of the Forrester Estate is:
Land: $ 5 123 436
Equipment and Infrastructure: $12 062 898
10.2.1.2 of the Makandi Estate is:
Land: $ 1 115 000
Equipment and Infrastructure: $ 9 269 308
10.2.2 that the shareholding valuation of Border is the only quoted price value
10.2.2.1 Dr Kanyekanye established the Border share valuation at $6 763 044, the quoted price value
10.2.2.2 Mr Moyo corrected his valuation opinion to state that the share valuation figure established by Dr Kanyekanye should prevail $6 763 044, the quoted price value
10.2.3 provided, however, that should be deducted from these maximum amounts, the valuations included in those maximum totals the following properties that were not taken:
10.2.3.1 Paulington $ 3 193 678,80
10.2.3.2 BIT Factory $ 3 045 993,00
10.2.3.3 Pole Treatment Plant $ 358 134,00
10.2.3.4 Border Timbers Head Office Complex $ 3 423 030,60
10.2.3.5 For the avoidance of doubt, the total valuations regarding properties not taken is $10 020 836,40
10.2.4 that for the avoidance of doubt, that the maximum total for Forrester, Makandi and Border combined is thus $34 333 686
10.3 that subsidiarily, should the Arbitral Tribuanl not accept the quoted price value of Border shares, Mr Moyo and Respondent stand by Mr Moyo's asset valualtion of the Border Estate set out in paragraph 13 of R-80:
10.3.1.1 land: $ 6 011 685
10.3.1.2 equipment and infrastructure: $22 386 761
10.4 that according to their damage presentation Claimants failed to mitigate damages other than by profiting from use of the Properties for eight years after September 2005
10.5 that as to Claimant's request for restitution in kind and compensation, or in the alternative, compensation
10.5.1 that Respondent is unable to reinstate the companies as requested
10.5.2 that restitution is not possible and the end of the State of Emergency on 16 March 2013 cannot give rise to measures which would re-create the State of Emergency such as restitution or additional compensation to Claimants
10.6 that there is no justification for the award of any moral damages
10.7 As to the rate of interest on any amounts that might be due:
10.7.1 that 21.5% interest is unconscionable and must be denied
10.7.2 that 9.8% interest is unconscionable and must be denied
10.7.3 that LIBOR plus 4% interest is unconscionable and must be denied
10.7.4 that LIBOR plus 2% is the highest rate that can be applied
10.8 As to compounding of interest on any amounts that might be due:
10.8.1 that no compounding is appropriate in this case
10.8.2 that were interest to be compounded, it should not be compounded more than annually
10.8.3 that were the Arbitral Tribunals nevertheless to find any indemnities, compensation, damages or interest to be due, the Arbitral Tribunals should consider Respondent's grant to Claimants of eight years of quasi unencumbered use of the Forrester Estate, the Border Estate and the Makandi Estate, properties belonging to the State of Zimbabwe since 2005 to constitute:
10.8.4 compensation for the taking
10.8.5 payment of any interest or other amounts due
10.9 that each party shall bear its own costs both as to its attorneys' fees and as to ICSID costs and fees
11 THAT EACH OF THE DECLARATIONS SOUGHT BY THE CLAIMANTS ARE WITHOUT MERIT AND MUST BE DENIED
[footnotes omitted]
... [O]ur existence in our own country, on our own land in the days before liberation, was a very sad existence indeed. Our land was taken away, our friends, who were talking about farms, are talking about farms which didn't come from heaven for them, but farms which they expropriated from our forefathers, from our ancestors, many not so long ago, where many of us were already living. They did not expect us to sit back and smile and enjoy what they were doing, and indeed, we did not sit back and enjoy. We had to mount a liberation struggle, and I am happy to say that I am one of those who participated in the liberation struggle.
(9b) Nothing in this section shall affect or derogate from—
(a) any obligation assumed by the State; or
(b) any right or interest conferred upon any person;
in relation to the protection of property and the payment and determination of compensation in respect of the acquisition of property, in terms of any convention, treaty or agreement acceded to, concluded or executed by or under the authority of the President with one or more foreign states or governments or international organisations.
[Subsection inserted by section 7 of Act No. 14 of 1996 - Amendment No. 14]
[emphasis added]
16A Agricultural land acquired for resettlement
(1) In regard to the compulsory acquisition of agricultural land for the resettlement of people in accordance with a programme of land reform, the following factors shall be regarded as of ultimate and overriding importance -
(a) under colonial domination the people of Zimbabwe were unjustifiably dispossessed of their land and other resources without compensation;
(b) the people consequently took up arms in order to regain their land and political sovereignty, and this ultimately resulted in the Independence of Zimbabwe in 1980;
(c) the people of Zimbabwe must be enabled to reassert their rights and regain ownership of their land;
and accordingly—
(i) the former colonial power has an obligation to pay compensation for agricultural land compulsorily acquired for resettlement, through an adequate fund established for the purpose: and
(ii) if the former colonial power fails to pay compensation through such a fund, the Government of Zimbabwe has no obligation to pay compensation for agricultural land compulsorily acquired for resettlement.
(2) In view of the overriding considerations set out in subsection (1), where agricultural land is acquired compulsorily for the resettlement of people in accordance with a programme of land reform, the following factors shall be taken into account in the assessment of any compensation that may be payable --
(a) the history of the ownership, use and occupation of the land;
(b) the price paid for the land when it was last acquired;
(c) the cost or value of improvements on the land;
(d) the current use to which the land and any improvements on it are being put;
(e) any investment which the State or the acquiring authority may have made which improved or enhanced the value of the land and any improvements on it;
(f) the resources available to the acquiring authority in implementing the programme of land reform;
(g) any financial constraints that necessitate the payment of compensation in instalments over a period of time; and
(h) any other relevant factor that may be specified in an Act of Parliament.
[Section inserted by section 3 of Act 5 of 2000 - Amendment No. 16] [emphasis added]
(a) the Invasions of predominantly white-owned commercial farms began in the Province of Masvingo on 16 February 2000, and quickly spread to other parts of Zimbabwe;
(b) the Invasions were a response to political events, such as the failed draft Constitution proposed by the Mugabe Government in February 2000, and the slow pace of land reform;
(c) the Invasions were not anticipated and, at the beginning, were disorganized and "inchoate", by which the Tribunal understands that the Invasions at this stage were incipient;
(d) the Invasions were accompanied by a racial rhetoric that was overwhelmingly anti-white;
(e) as the Invasions continued and expanded across Zimbabwe, logistical support and supplies appear to have been provided by organs of the Zimbabwean Government to persons coming onto private land (i.e., the "Settlers/War Veterans").
In February 2000, a referendum was held on a proposed new Constitution for Zimbabwe. The defeat of that proposal was followed "within a matter of days by the beginning of a series of land invasions. Although these began as a supposedly peaceful demonstration they quickly gathered such momentum that it became obvious that the exercise was actually being driven by or had been taken over by Government" (Hasluck).
The story of these demonstrations/invasions is set out in graphic detail in the CFU's papers, more particularly in Mr Hasluck's affidavits. Murders (in the early stages), serious assaults, trespass, arson, stock-theft, poaching and malicious Injury to property became rife throughout the commercial farming areas. The reaction of the police was either nil or negligible, with isolated exceptions. War veterans, landless peasant farmers and unemployed youths moved onto farms, ferried in some cases in Government vehicles, encouraged by party politicians. Some were aggressive, forcing the farmers to flee, burning down workers' houses, forbidding the reaping or planting of crops. Others cut fences and cut down trees to make temporary shelters. Others again were more passive, simply making temporary shelters for themselves and leaving when the subsidy they were given ran out. The situation throughout the commercial farming areas remained, and remains, tense and volatile. The harassment continues and in many cases has intensified.
Section 16B, which provided, in relevant part, as follows:
16B Agricultural land acquired for resettlement and other purposes
(1) In this section -
...
(a) all agricultural land -
(i) that was identified on or before the 8th July, 2005, in the Gazette or Gazette Extraordinary under section 5(1) of the Land Acquisition Act [Chapter 20:10], and which is itemised in Schedule 7, being agricultural land required for resettlement purposes; or
(il) that is identified after the 8th July, 2005, but before the appointed day, in the Gazette or Gazette Extraordinary under section 5(1) of the Land Acquisition Act [Chapter 20:10], being agricultural land required for resettlement purposes; or
(iii) that is identified in terms of this section by the acquiring authority after the appointed day in the Gazette or Gazette Extraordinary for whatever purpose, including, but not limited to --
A. settlement for agricultural or other purposes; or
B. the purposes of land reorganisation, forestry, environmental conservation or the utilisation of wild life or other natural resources;
or
C. the relocation of persons dispossessed in consequence of the utilisation of land for a purpose referred to in subparagraph A or B;
is acquired by and vested in the State with full title therein with effect from the appointed day or, in the case of land referred to in subparagraph (iii), with effect from the date it is identified in the manner specified in that paragraph; and
(b) no compensation shall be payable for land referred to in paragraph (a) except for any improvements effected on such land before it was acquired.
(3) The provisions of any law referred to in section 16(1) regulating the compulsory acquisition of land that is in force on the appointed day, and the provisions of section 18(1) and (9), shall not apply in relation to land referred to in subsection (2) (a) except for the purpose of determining any question related to the payment of compensation referred to in subsection (2)(b), that is to say, a person having any right or interest in the land -
(a) shall not apply to a court to challenge the acquisition of the land by the State, and no court shall entertain any such challenge;
(b) may, in accordance with the provisions of any law referred to in section 16(1) regulating the compulsory acquisition of land that is in force on the appointed day, challenge the amount of compensation payable for any improvements effected on the land before it was acquired.
(4) As soon as practicable after the appointed day, or after the date when the land is identified in the manner specified in subsection (2)(a)(iii), as the case may be, the person responsible under any law providing for the registration of title over land shall, without further notice, effect the necessary endorsements upon any title deed and entries in any register kept in terms of that law for the purpose of formally cancelling the title deed and registering in the State title over the land.
(5) Any inconsistency between anything contained in --
(a) a noticed itemised in Schedule 7; or
(b) a notice relating to land referred to in subsection (2)(a)(ii) or (iii);
and the title deed to which it refers or is intended to refer, and any error whatsoever contained in such notice, shall not affect the operation of subsection (2)(a) or invalidate the vesting of title in the State in terms of that provision.
(6) An Act of Parliament may make it a criminal offence for any person, without lawful authority, to possess or occupy land referred to in this section or other State land.
(7) This section applies without prejudice to the obligation of the former colonial power to pay compensation for land referred to in this section that was acquired for resettlement purposes.
[Section inserted by section 2 of Act 5 of 2005 - Amendment No. 17.] [emphasis added]
16.8 Compensation for acquisition of previously-acquired agricultural land
(1) Any indigenous Zimbabwean whose agricultural land was acquired by the State before the effective date is entitled to compensation from the State for the land and any improvements that were on the land when it was acquired.
(2) Any persons whose agricultural land was acquired by the State before the effective date and whose property rights at that time were guaranteed or protected by an agreement concluded by the Government of Zimbabwe with the government of another country, is entitled to compensation from the State for the land and any improvements in accordance with that agreement.
(3) Any person, other than a person referred to in subsection (1) or (2), whose agricultural land was acquired by the State before the effective date is entitled to compensation from the State only for improvements that were on the land when it was acquired.
...
A. Jurisdiction: The issue of jurisdiction is comprised of at least the following questions:
(1) Does the Tribunal have jurisdiction under the ICSID Convention?
(2) Does the Tribunal have jurisdiction over the von Pezold Claimants' claims (save for those of Rüdiger) under the Swiss BIT?
(3) Does the Tribunal have jurisdiction over the von Pezold Claimants' claims under the German BIT?
B. Admissibility: The issue of admissibility is comprised of the following questions:
(1) The Approvals Objection:
(a) Is the Approvals Objection an admissibility or jurisdictional issue?
(b) What is the effect of Ad Article 2(a) of the German Protocol on Article 9(b) of the German BIT?
(c) Does the Contracting Parties' subsequent practice inform the meaning of Article 9(b)?
(d) If approval was required, (i) what constitutes "approval" by Zimbabwe's "competent authorities"? (ii) has such approval been given? (iii) can the von Pezold Claimants utilise the German MFN clauses to rely on the more favourable provisions of the Swiss and Danish BITs? (iv) is the Respondent estopped from denying that approval has been given?
(2) The Illegality Objection:
(a) What breaches come within the scope of the so-called "Legality Articles"?
(b) Have the Claimants committed such breaches?
(c) In any event, is the Respondent estopped from denying that the investments were made in accordance with applicable laws?
C. Attribution: The issue of attribution is comprised of the following questions:
(1) Are the acts of the Settlers/War Veterans attributable to the Respondent pursuant to Article 8 or Article 11 of the ILC Articles?
(2) Are the "declarations, political speeches and similar acts of communication" of government officials and the President of the Respondent attributable to the Respondent?
(3) Are "only the official acts by the State's officials" attributable to the Respondent?
D. Proportionality, Regulation and Margin of Appreciation: The issues of proportionality, regulation and margin of appreciation are comprised of the following questions:
(1) Is the proportionality principle applicable? If so, has the Respondent acted proportionally?
(2) Is it relevant that a measure was regulatory?
(3) Is the principle of margin of appreciation applicable?
E. Expropriation: The issue of expropriation is comprised of the following questions:
(1) What is the test for direct expropriation?
(2) What is the test for indirect expropriation?
(3) Were the following expropriated, either directly or indirectly:
• the Water Rights (Forrester Estate)
• the Zimbabwean Properties36
• Residual Properties37, [including] the factories, the pole treatment plant and the Sheba sawmill (Border and Makandi Estates)
• Shares and Other Investments
• the Loans
• Forrester's tobacco and its proceeds of sale
• Forrester Estate's US Dollar bank deposits from tobacco sales
• Border Estate's US Dollar export proceeds
• US Dollars from Border's account
• Makandi Acquisition Rights
(4) Were any of the expropriations carried out for (a) a public purpose, (b) in a non-discriminatory manner; and (c) with due process?
F. Fair and Equitable Treatment: The issue of Fair and Equitable Treatment ("FET") gives rise to the following questions:
(1) Is the FET standard in the German and Swiss BITs equivalent to the customary international law minimum standard of treatment?
(2) What is the content of the FET standard in (a) the German BIT; and (b) the Swiss BIT?
(3) Does Ad Article 3(a) of the German Protocol (CLEX-3) exclude certain conduct from the FET standard?
(4) Has the FET standard been breached in regard to the application of:
• new legislation to the Forrester Water Rights?
• the LRP to the Zimbabwean Properties38 and shares in the Zimbabwean Companies?
• the foreign exchange policy to the loans?
• the foreign exchange policy to the proceeds of the sales?
(5) To what extent are legitimate expectations relevant to the Claimants' causes of action?
(6) What is the relationship between legitimate expectations, business risk and political risk?
(7) What were the Respondent's assurances and the legitimate expectations they engendered?
(8) Is a balancing required between the Claimants' legitimate expectations and the "Common Interest of the Zimbabwean People"? If so, what is the relevance and result of this balancing exercise to the Claimants' causes of action?
G. Non-lmpairment: The issue of non-impairment gives rise to the following questions:
(1) What amounts to unreasonable, discriminatory or arbitrary measures under the non-impairment standard in the German and Swiss BIT respectively?
(2) Have such measures from the Respondent impaired the management, maintenance, use, enjoyment or disposal of the Claimants' investments?
H. Full Protection and Security: The issue of Full Protection and Security ("FPS") gives rise to the following questions:
(1) What is the scope of the FPS standard in (a) the German BIT; and (b) the Swiss BIT?
(2) Is the Respondent in breach of either FPS standard?
(3) Are there circumstances which curtail the Respondent's obligations pursuant to the FPS standards?
(4) What is the Respondent's obligation under section 18 of the Constitution?
I. Free Transfer of Payments: The issue of Free Transfer of Payments ("FTS") gives rise to the following questions:
(1) What is the scope of the free transfer standard in (a) the German BIT; and (b) the Swiss BIT?
(2) Has the Respondent breached either standard?
J. Necessity: The issue of necessity gives rise to the following questions:
(1) Was the LRP a Non-Precluded Measure because of necessity?
(2) If so, what is the effect of this defence if successfully invoked?
K. Causation: The issue of causation gives rise to the following question:
(1) In the event the Claimants suffered a loss as a result of any of the above alleged treaty breaches, did the Respondent cause the Claimants' losses?
L. Remedies: The issue of remedies (if liability and causation are decided in favour of the Claimants) is comprised of the following questions:
(1) Restitution
• Under what circumstances will restitution be ordered?
• Is restitution mandatory because of the special circumstances of these cases?
• Would an award of restitution give rise to a (or the return of a) state of emergency in Zimbabwe?
• If so, should restitution be awarded?
(2) Compensation
• What is the standard of compensation and date of assessment for:
• lawful expropriation; and
• unlawful expropriation and non-expropriatory breaches
• What is the most appropriate valuation method to be applied?
• Has the method been applied accurately?
• What matters are to be disregarded when assessing compensation?
• Did the Respondent's breaches cause the Claimants' losses?
• Are moral damages due?
• What amount of compensation is due?
• Is the Respondent's ability to pay damages relevant?
• Is the Claimants' alleged failure to mitigate their losses relevant?
• When is compensation due?
M. Interest: The issue of interest is comprised of the following questions:
(1) What rate of interest is due on any sums determined to be payable?
(2) Is interest to be compound or simple?
(3) Over what period is interest payable?
N. Declaratory Relief: The issue of declaratory relief requires the Tribunal to consider whether the Claimants are entitled to the declarations set out in their Corrected Request for Relief, dated 10 May 2013; and
O. Costs: Finally, the issue of costs requires the Tribunal to consider the reasonableness of the costs claimed and the appropriate allocation (if any) of the costs of these arbitration proceedings as between the Parties.
The Tribunal recalls its definition of the "Zimbabwean Properties" set out above at para. 157.
The Tribunal recalls its definition of the "Residual Properties' set out above at para. 158.
The issue relates to the Zimbabwean and Residual properties as defined by this Tribunal. See above, paras. 157 and 158 and the Cl. Skel. para. 138.
Article 42 of the ICSID Convention states, in relevant part, as follows:
(1) The Tribunal shall decide a dispute in accordance with such rules of law as may be agreed by the parties. In the absence of such agreement, the Tribunal shall apply the law of the Contracting State party to the dispute (including its rules on the conflict of laws) and such rules of international law as may be applicable.
....
Article 10(3) of the Swiss BIT provides that "[t]he arbitral tribunal shall decide on the basis of the present Agreement and other relevant agreements between the Contracting Parties; the terms of any particular agreement that has been concluded with respect to the investment; the law of the Contracting State party to the dispute, including its rules on the conflict of laws; such rules of international law as may be applicable".
Article 11(2) of the German BIT provides that "[t]he arbitral tribunal constituted pursuant to the said Convention shall reach its decisions on the basis of this Agreement, any treaties in force between the Contracting Parties, such rules of general international law as may be applicable, and the domestic law of the Contracting Party in the territory of which the investment in question is situated".
Article 25 of the ICSID Convention provides as follows:
Article 25
(1) The jurisdiction of the Centre shall extend to any legal dispute arising directly out of an investment, between a Contracting State (or any constituent subdivision or agency of a Contracting State designated to the Centre by that State) and a national of another Contracting State, which the parties to the dispute consent in writing to submit to the Centre. When the parties have given their consent, no party may withdraw its consent unilaterally.
(2) "National of another Contracting State" means:
(a) any natural person who had the nationality of a Contracting State other than the State party to the dispute on the date on which the parties consented to submit such dispute to conciliation or arbitration as well as on the date on which the request was registered pursuant to paragraph (3) of Article 28 or paragraph (3) of Article 36, but does not include any person who on either date also had the nationality of the Contracting State party to the dispute; and
(b) any juridical person which had the nationality of a Contracting State other than the State party to the dispute on the date on which the parties consented to submit such dispute to conciliation or arbitration and any juridical person which had the nationality of the Contracting State party to the dispute on that date and which, because of foreign control, the parties have agreed should be treated as a national of another Contracting State for the purposes of this Convention.
....
There are, essentially, four elements that must be satisfied to establish jurisdiction under Article 25:
• A legal dispute;
• Arising directly out of an investment;
• Between a Contracting State and a national of another Contracting State; and
• Consent in writing to submit the dispute to the Centre.
The Land Reform Programme was and remains a genuine exercise for the redistribution of land and the resettlement of the landless majority. As will be observed from the afore going land to be redistributed was owned by white people and it is from them that it had to be taken for redistribution to the landless blacks.
The impatience of the landless masses reached boiling point in 2000 resulting in invasions which coincided with the rejection of the Draft Constitution. The invasions were never a policy nor were they an integral part of the Land Reform and Resettlement Programme as alleged by the Claimants in paragraphs 550 and 554 of the Memorial, but were a spontaneous reaction by the landless people. The Draft Constitution contained provisions relating to the acquisition of land for resettlement and placed the onus for providing compensation for the acquired farms on the former colonial power. The Government of Zimbabwe would now pay for infrastructural improvements on the land but not for the land itself.
When the Constitution was rejected it was yet another blow to the expectations of those who had sacrificed their lives for the return of land to the black people, the Liberation War Veterans (War Vets). It was now 20 years after gaining independence and there was little to show in terms of access to land for the majority of Zimbabweans.
The reasons for the rejection of the Draft Constitution were more political than anything else. They were not a rejection of the need for redistribution of land. The Fast Track Programme was accordingly launched on the 15th of July 2000. The acquisition of land and the resettlement of people was now to be undertaken in an accelerated manner with reliance on domestic resources.
The purpose of the Fast Track was to:
• Speed up the identification of land for compulsory acquisition. The target was not less than 5 million hectares of land for resettlement
• Accelerate the planning and demarcation of acquired land for resettlement
• Provide basic infrastructure (boreholes, dip tanks and access roads) and farmer support services (tillage and agricultural inputs)
• Simultaneously resettle people in all provinces to ensure that the reform programme was comprehensive and evenly implemented
• Provide secondary infrastructure such as schools, clinics and rural service centres.
During this Phase, land was acquired on a compulsory basis in accordance with the Land Acquisition Act [Chapter 20:10] as amended. ...
Initially, Government laid down a framework under which farms once gazetted for acquisition could be de-listed for valid reasons, for example, if the farms were plantation farms in the large scale production of tea, coffee, timber, citrus, sugar cane etc. Also included were agro- industrial properties involved in integrated production, farms in Export Processing Zones, farms belonging to church or mission organizations, conservancies and farms belonging to foreign nationals who are protected by BIPPAs.
Despite this goodwill on the part of Government some farm owners abused the delisting framework in a bid to frustrate the land reform process. Some farmers deliberately changed land use to avoid compulsory acquisition of their farms. For example some farmers shared their dairy cattle in order to be exempted. Others introduced wildlife onto agricultural land.
Former farm owners also made the process of land acquisition long and cumbersome. Because the Land Acquisition Act required the serving of notices to the owner and confirmation of acquisition through the Administrative Court, the former owners mounted all sorts of legal challenges including wrong citation of their names or companies to frustrate the acquisition.
These challenges slowed down the acquisition and resettlement process to a snail's pace. The court processes were now blocking meaningful progress in the Land Reform Programme. It became necessary to promulgate a law that promoted the goals and purposes of land reform in the Republic, a historical mandate (paragraph 552 Memorial). The Constitutional Amendment No 17 of 2005 was enacted to meet this need. It provided for compulsory acquisition of agricultural land without recourse to the courts save for issues of compensation for improvements.
...
The acquisition of nearly 11 million hectares from the previous 3, 5 million (by 2000) can be attributed to this change in the law. Overall over 14 million hectares have been acquired for resettlement to date and 145 775 A1 and 18 289 A2 beneficiaries resettled thereon. The most important goal of redressing the thorny reality of historical inequities in land ownership has been substantially achieved.
2. Zimbabwe's War of Independence ended in 1980. The Government subsequently encouraged reconciliation and foreign investment, including investment from the Claimants. During the period 1980 to 2000, 70% of all farms that existed at Independence had been bought and sold in the open market or purchased by the Respondent at the fair market value.
...
5. After Independence, land reform was a low priority for the Government. The Governments stated policy under the Land Reform Programme ("LRP") was to acquire no more than 8.3 million ha of the 15.5 million ha of commercial farm land (the great majority of which was owned by white Zimbabweans). As at 2000, it had acquired only 3.66 million ha. The post 2000 phases of the LRP are collectively referred to as the "aggressive phases".
6. From 2000 onward, the LRP had the aim of removing every white farmer from his or her land. In simple terms it was racist, breaching the prohibition against discrimination on grounds of race or colour - a peremptory norm of general international law. It also had the aim of allocating farms that had been expropriated to senior members of the government, ZANU-PF and the military and civil services. In particular, in February 2000, after losing a referendum (blamed on the white vote), the Respondent instigated the Invasion of commercial farms. If it did not instigate them then shortly after they commenced, It took control of them and encouraged them. The Invasions became an Integral part of the LRP. In July 2000, the Respondent commenced Phase II, Fast Track of the LRP. Pursuant to this phase, the Respondent issued thousands of s5 Notices identifying properties for expropriation. However, the courts held that many of the s5 Notices were invalid. On 14 September 2005, the Respondent enacted s16B of the Constitution ("the Constitutional Amendment"). The effect of the Constitutional Amendment was to expropriate the farms of nearly every white farmer in Zimbabwe (of the 4,500 white farmers farming in 2000, today there are less than 200 whose farms have not been expropriated). Most of the Claimants' properties have been expropriated pursuant to the Constitutional Amendment.
7. The economic decline caused by the aggressive phases of the LRP led the Respondent to introduce a perverse foreign exchange policy, which has caused the Claimants significant losses. The Respondent's own courts have stated that the foreign exchange obtained through this policy was used by the Government for illegal purposes.
8. In parallel with the LRP, and indeed during it, the Respondent ratified a number of BITs, including the German BIT on 14 April 2000 (provisional entry Into force was 18 September 1996) and the Swiss BIT on 9 February 2001. Property and compensation rights protected by BITs were given a special status under Zimbabwean law when s16(9b) of the Constitution was enacted in 1996. Further, the Government's LRP policy expressly excluded from expropriation properties covered by BITs, together with tea, coffee, timber and citrus plantations. On numerous occasions the Respondent acknowledged that the Claimants' Investments were covered by the BITs, and stated that they would not be subjected to the LRP. Nevertheless, despite the Respondent stating in 2005, by way of a Note Verbale, that the Constitutional Amendment had not expropriated the Claimants' investments (and thereby confirming prior assurances), in 2007 the Respondent stated that they had been expropriated by the Constitutional Amendment. The Claimants accept that they have been expropriated.
Under the Water Act 1976, and its predecessors, the right to use "public water" for agricultural purposes, attached to the majority of the Forrester Properties and vested in the von Pezold Claimants. These rights to use public water are referred to as "Water Rights". No charge was levied by the Respondent on the holders of Water Rights for the consumption of water, and once granted in their final form they were not to expire.
However, upon the commencement in January 2000 of the Water Act 1998 and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority Act 1998 (the "ZNWA Act"), the regulatory regime for the use of water changed significantly.
Pursuant to the Water Act 1998, Water Rights have been converted into "permits" ("Permits"). Permits to use water only last for a period of twenty years. Moreover, pursuant to the ZNWA Act, the Respondent is empowered to, and does in fact, charge significant amounts for water consumed for agricultural purposes.
At the time that the Parent Claimants acquired their contractual and beneficial rights in the Makandi Estate in May 2005, the Water Rights that previously existed in relation to the Makandi Estate had already (in 2000) been converted into Permits .... Therefore the Claimants do not make any claims in relation to those prior Water Rights.
However, ..., the Parent Claimants in seeking the restitution of the Makandi Properties also seek the restitution of the final Permits attaching to them. Without access to water through the Permits, the Parent Claimants will incur significant losses.
As noted above, fulfillment of the first element of Article 25 of the ICSID Convention, the existence of a legal dispute, is not contested. Simply put, the Parties' disputes in connection with the Main Claims arise from the implementation of the LRP and, in particular, from the enactment of provisions of the 2005 Constitutional Amendment. The dispute in connection with the "Additional Claims" arises from a change in the legal regime governing water rights, i.e. the Water Act 1976.
The Tribunal turns next to the fourth element of the Article 25 test, regarding consent, in view of the prominence of this element among the Respondent's objections.
• the date on which the parties in Case No. ARB/10/15 consented to submit their dispute to ICSID arbitration is 30 November 2009 (17 March 2010 for Adam) at the earliest, or as of the date of filing of the Request for Arbitration (i.e., 10 June 2010) at the latest (see Request for Arbitration, 10 June 2010, para. 108); and
• the date on which the parties in Case No. ARB/10/25 consented to submit their dispute to ICSID arbitration is 3 December 2010, the date on which the Border Claimants filed their Request for Arbitration (see Request for Arbitration, 3 December 2010, para. 96).
Article 11 of the German BIT
(1) Disputes between a Contracting Party and a national or company of the other Contracting Party concerning an investment of such national or company in the territory of the former Contracting Party shall as far as possible be settled amicably between the parties concerned.
(2) If the dispute Is not settled within six months of the date when it is raised by one of the parties in dispute, it shall, at the request of the national or company concerned, be submitted for arbitration. Each Contracting Party hereby consents to submit the dispute to arbitration. Unless the parties in dispute agree otherwise, the dispute shall be submitted for arbitration under the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of other States of 18th March, 1965. The arbitral tribunal constituted pursuant to the said Convention shall reach its decisions on the basis of this Agreement, any treaties to force between the Contracting parties, such rules of general international law as may be applicable, and the domestic law of the Contracting Party in the territory of which the investment in question is situated.
(3) The award shall be binding on the parties and shall not be subject to any appeal or remedy other than that provided for in the said Convention. The award shall be enforced in accordance with the domestic law of the Contracting Party in the territory of which the investment in question is situated.
(4) During arbitration proceedings or proceedings for the enforcement of an award, the Contracting Party involved in the dispute shall not raise the objection that the national or company concerned has received compensation under an insurance contract in respect of all or part of his or its damage or losses.
Article 10 of the Swiss BIT
(1) For the purpose of solving disputes with respect to investments between a Contracting Party and an investor of the other Contracting Party and without prejudice to Article 11 of this Agreement (Disputes between Contracting Parties), consultations will take place between the parties concerned.
(2) If these consultations do not result in a solution within six months and if the investor concerned gives written consent, the dispute shall be submitted to the arbitration of the international Centre for Settlement of investment Disputes, instituted by the Convention of Washington of March 18, 1965, for the settlement of disputes regarding investments between States and nationals of other States.
Each party may start the procedure by addressing a request to that effect to the Secretary-General of the Centre as foreseen by Article 28 and 36 of the above-mentioned Convention. Should the parties disagree on whether conciliation or arbitration is the most appropriate procedure, the investor concerned shall have the final decision.
(3) The arbitral tribunal shall decide on the basis of the present Agreement and other relevant agreements between the Contracting Parties; the terms of any particular agreement that has been concluded with respect to the investment; the law of the Contracting State party to the dispute, including its rules on the conflict of laws; such rules of international law as may be applicable.
(4) The Contracting Party which is a party to the dispute shall not at any time during the procedures assert as a defence its immunity or the fact that the investor has received compensation under an insurance contract covering the whole or part of the incurred damage or loss.
(5) Neither Contracting Party shall pursue through diplomatic channels a dispute submitted to the arbitration of the Centre unless the other Contracting party does not abide by and comply with the award rendered by the arbitral tribunal.
(6) The arbitral award shall be final and binding for the parties involved in the dispute and shall be enforceable in accordance with the laws of the Contracting Party in which the investment in question is located.
The Tribunal recalls that Article 25(2) of the ICSID Convention, which defines a national of another Contracting State for purposes of establishing jurisdiction, provides as follows:
...
2) "National of another Contracting State" means:
(a) any natural person who had the nationality of a Contracting State other than the State party to the dispute on the daté on which the parties consented to submit such dispute to conciliation or arbitration as well as on the date on which the request was registered pursuant to paragraph (3) of Article 28 or paragraph (3) of Article 36, but does not include any person who on either date also had the nationality of the Contracting State party to the dispute; and
(b) any juridical-person which had the nationality of a Contracting State other than the State party to the dispute on the date on which the parties consented to submit such dispute to conciliation or arbitration and any juridical person which had the nationality of the Contracting State party to the dispute on that date and which, because of foreign control, the parties have agreed should be treated as a national of another Contracting State for the purposes of this Convention.
The von Pezold Claimants evidence their nationality for the purpose of satisfying Article 25(2)(a) by reference to their German and Swiss passports and national identity cards, the details of which are provided at para. 87 of the 10 June 2010 Request for Arbitration41. All of the von Pezold Claimants, save for Rüdiger, claim to be nationals of both Germany and Switzerland. Rüdiger claims to be a national of Germany.
The Respondent has asserted that Elisabeth's control of the Border Claimants is inadequate for the purpose of Article 25(2)(b) of the ICSID Convention, because It is indirect, and therefore the Border Claimants do not satisfy the nationality criteria of Article 25 of the ICSID Convention.
The Respondent relies on the decisions in AMCO Asia Corporation & Others v. Indonesia ("Amco Asia") (see ICSID Reports 389, Decision on Jurisdiction, 25 September 1983, CLEX-392) and Tradex Hellas SA v. Republic of Albania ("Tradex") (see ICSID Case No. ARB/94/2, Award, 29 April 1999, RLEX-11) for the proposition that indirect control does not constitute foreign control for the purposes of the Centre's jurisdiction (see Rejoinder, paras. 937-938). The Respondent notes that in AMCO Asia there were five degrees of intermediate control as between the putative foreign investor and the local entity, and here the "Claimants need even more than ten organograms to try to prove their control of the local companies" (see Rejoinder, para. 938). The Respondent also refers to the following passage in the Tradex award, a case which the Respondent contends presented a similar situation to the one in these cases (see Rejoinder, para. 939; Resp. Skel., para. 55, quoting Tradex, para. 118, RLEX-11):
In its summary of the investments it claims to have made (particularly in T III p. 7 seq.), Tradex mentions a number of investments not in Albania, but in other countries allegedly in favour of the Joint Venture. In this context, the Tribunal notes that, according to Art. 1(3) of the 1993 Law, only those investments qualify to be covered by that Law that are made 'in the territory of the Republic of Albania'. In principle, therefore, investments made by Tradex outside Albania do not qualify.
In its Rebutter (see Rebutter, para. 222), the Respondent referred to the tribunal's summary of the elements required to establish foreign control for ICSID jurisdiction in Autopista Concesionada de Venezuela CA v. Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ("Autopista") (see ICSID Case No. ARB/00/15, Decision on Jurisdiction, CLEX-189):
The cases decided under Article 25(2)(b) establish that the "foreign control" referred to in the second clause of Article 25(2)(b) means foreign control by nationals of a Contracting State party to the Convention. Moreover, such "foreign control" must meet an objective standard (Vacuum Salt Products Ltd. v. Government of the Republic of Ghana (Case No. ARB/92/1) Award of February 16, 1994, 4 ICSID Reports 165 (1994), Ven. Auth. 9). As a result, an arbitral tribunal must take into account the true control relationship (Banro American Resources, Inc. and Société Aurifère du Kivu et du Maniema, SARL v. the Democratic Republic of Congo (Case No. ARB/98/7), Award Declining Jurisdiction of September 1, 2000, Ven. Auth. 2; LETCO, Ven Auth. 6; SOABI, Ven Auth. 8, Christopher Schreuer, Commentary on the ICSID Convention, 12 ICSID Review -FILJ 59 (1997) (Second Installment of Commentaries Discussing Article 25), 560, 562-563, Ven. Auth. 11).
The Respondent also referred to the tribunal's discussion of control in Vacuum Salt Products Ltd. v. Republic of Ghana ("Vacuum Salt") (see ICSID Case No. ARB/92/1, Award, 16 February 1994, CLEX-177) as follows (see Rebutter, para. 225, quoting Vacuum Salt):
The Tribunal notes, and itself confirms, that "foreign control' within the meaning of the second clause of Article 25(2)(b) does not require, or imply, any particular percentage of share ownership. Each case arising under that clause must be viewed in its own particular context, on the basis of all of the facts and circumstances. There is no "formula." It stands to reason, of course, that 100 percent foreign ownership almost certainly would result in foreign control, by whatever standard, and that a total absence of foreign shareholding would virtually preclude the existence of such control. How much is "enough," however, cannot be determined abstractly. Thus, in the course of the drafting of the Convention, it was said variously that "interests sufficiently important to be able to block major changes in the company" could amount to a "controlling interest" (Convention History, Vol. 11, 447); that "control could in fact be acquired by persons holding only 25 percent of" a company's capital (id., 447-48); and even that "51% of the shares might not be controlling" while for some purposes "15% was sufficient" (id., 538).
The Claimants submit that control requires consideration of all facts and circumstances, relying on Vacuum Salt42, and that indirect control may be control for the purpose of Article 25(2)(b) of the ICSID Convention (see Cl. Skel., para. 13; Cl. PHB, para. 14). The Claimants rely on Société Ouest Africaine des Bétons Industriels (SOABI) v. Republic of Senegal ("SOABI") (see 2 ICSID Reports 165, Decision on Jurisdiction, 1 August 1984, CLEX-393) and Mobil Corporation, Venezuela Holdings, B.V. and others v. Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ("Mobil") (see ICSID Case No. ARB/7/27, Decision on Jurisdiction, 10 June 2010, CLEX-410) in support of their latter point that indirect control is sufficient for the purpose of Article 25(2)(b) of the ICSID Convention. The following quote from SOABI is emphasized by the Claimants (see SOABI, paras. 35-37, CLEX-393):
The nationality of this company, which held in 1975 alt of SOABI's subscribed capital shares, could only be determinative of the nationality of the foreign interests if the Convention were concerned only with direct control of the company. However, the Tribunal cannot accept such an interpretation, which would be contrary to the purpose of Article 25(2)(b) in fine. This purpose, it is hardly necessary to observe, Is to reconcile, on the one hand, the desire of States hosting foreign investments to see those investments managed by companies established under local law and, on the other hand, their desire to give those companies standing in ICSID proceedings.
SOABI is a perfect example of this, being a company established under Senegalese law to which the capacities of a national of another Contracting State have been granted.
It is obvious that, just as a host State may prefer that investments be channelled through a company incorporated under domestic law, investors may be led for reasons of their own to invest their funds through intermediary entities while retaining the same degree of control over the national company as they would have exercised as direct shareholders of the latter.
The Claimants refer to Vacuum Salt, para. 43, in support of this point. Specifically, the Vacuum Salt tribunal held that that the second limb of Article 25(2)(b) does not require or imply any particular percentage or share ownership, but noted that 100% ownership would almost certainly result in control whereas the total absence of any shareholding would virtually preclude the existence of control. The tribunal stated that the smaller the shareholding the "more one must look to other elements bearing on that issue", such as management.
The Claimants also point to the Mobil tribunal's discussion of Article 25(2)(b) as follows (see Surrejoinder, para. 127, quoting Mobil, paras. 153, 154 and 157, CLEX-410):
The Tribunal observes that Venezuela Holdings (Netherlands) owns 100 % of its US and Bahamian subsidiaries. Those subsidiaries are thus controlled directly or indirectly by a 'legal person constituted under the law' of the Netherlands. Accordingly they must be deemed to be Dutch nationals under article 1 (b) (iii) of the BIT.
The Respondent submits however, that this article is incompatible with Article 25 (2) (b) of the ICSID Convention which, according to Venezuela, excludes the use of the control test for the determination of a corporation's nationality.
...
However Article 25(2)(b)(i) does not impose any particular criteria of nationality (whether place of incorporation, siège social or control) in the case of juridical persons not having the nationality of the Host State. Thus the parties to the Dutch-Venezuela BIT were free to consider as nationals both the legal persons constituted under the law of one of the Parties and those constituted under another law, but controlled by such legal persons. The BIT is thus compatible with Article 25 of the ICSID Convention.
The Claimants distinguish Amco Asia on the basis that there was no agreement in that case concerning control as there is here in the form of Article 1(1)(c) of the Swiss BIT (see Cl. Skel., para. 13). The Claimants also submit that to the extent Amco Asia purports to limit the examination of control to the company immediately above the company incorporated in the host State, it was wrongly decided and has not been followed, as evidenced by the cases discussed above. Moreover there is nothing in the second limb of Article 25(2)(b) which indicates that such a restriction is required (see Surrejoinder, para. 120). The Claimants also point to the testimony of Mr. Moyo who admitted that, in Zimbabwe, property is often held through companies (see Cl. PHB, para. 15, referring to Tr. Day 6, p. 1618, lines 18-21).
The Tribunal is satisfied on its review of the evidence, and in particular that of Elisabeth and Heinrich, that the Border Claimants satisfy the criteria of Article 25(2)(b) on the basis of foreign control. The Tribunal rejects the Respondent's suggestion that the "chain of control" is broken in this case because of the presence of intermediary companies through which the von Pezolds' interest in the Border Claimants is held. The evidence clearly demonstrates that Elisabeth exercises overall control of the Border Companies and that Rüdiger, the Adult Children Claimants and Adam abide by Elisabeth's exercise of ultimate control over those companies. Accordingly, the Tribunal finds that the requirements of Article 25(2)(b) of the ICSID Convention have been met and that it has jurisdiction ratione personae over the Border Claimants under the ICSID Convention.
While not expressly connected with the Claimants' assertion of jurisdiction on the basis of Article 1(1)(c) of the Swiss BIT, the Respondent also submits that, as a result of an alleged failure to prove factual control as between the individual von Pezold Claimants, one of whom is German, the Claimants' claims under the Swiss BIT must be rejected. The Respondent does not distinguish, in this argument, as between the claims of the Swiss von Pezold Claimants and the claims of the Border Claimants. However, the Respondent's arguments appear to be relevant to the Tribunal's consideration of "effective control" for the purpose of determining its jurisdiction over the Border Claimants' claims. The Respondent's original submissions are set out in its Rejoinder, as follows (see Rejoinder, paras. 986-987):
To the extent that Claimants have hidden behind their nebulous, complex, obscure, holding structures, and abstained from proving the exact holder and amount of each stakeholder and given the fact that Rüdiger is among the key beneficiaries, trustees and ultimate decision-makers, the entirety of the von Pezold and Border Estate claims should be dismissed as no proof of each investment has been submitted and one of the Parent Claimants does not have any legal basis for his Claims and consequently there is no certain amount to be considered under the Swiss BIT.
In light of the above, not only must all Claimants' claims be dismissed under the German BIT but also under the Swiss BIT as Claimants have failed to prove the identity and holding that might otherwise benefit from consideration of hypothetical protection under the Swiss BIT.
As set out in Paragraph 986 of Respondent's Rejoinder, there is no determinable amount of claims to be considered under the Swiss BIT as Claimant Rüdiger is not Swiss and the intermingled holdings, control, beneficiaries (named and un-named), trustee and ultimate decision-makers are not determinable, so Claimants' demands under the Swiss BIT must be rejected.
The working capital of their investments may be a mix of their own money, finance from other investors, commercial banks and government owned development finance institutions that are mandated to invest in developing markets.
The Border Claimants, although nationals of Zimbabwe, claim Swiss nationality pursuant to Article 1(1)(c) of the Swiss BIT by reason of having been effectively controlled by Swiss nationals and, in particular, by Elisabeth, a Swiss national (see Cl. PHB, para. 15). The Claimants contend that "effective control" of the Border Claimants existed by means of both factual and legal control, as follows (see Cl. PHB, para. 16: see also Cl. PHB, paras. 17-21):
... Factual control arose because Elisabeth is the source of the family's wealth, and because the family acknowledges that she is In overall control. Further, Heinrich (Swiss), since 1998, has managed the Border Company Claimants, subject to Elisabeth's overall control. Legal control arose because the Swiss Family members vote their 48.36% interest in Border as a block led by Elisabeth. This gives negative control as it permits the blocking of special resolutions, which require 75% of the vote. Further, Rüdiger (German) always voted his 38.13% in Border in the same manner as the Swiss Family Members. This gave the Swiss Family Members positive control with 86.49% of the issued share capital of Border. The legal control has existed since 1992, when Elisabeth and Rüdiger acquired 25.65% of Border. Mr Schofield confirmed that it was further supplemented in 2000 when the von Pezolds were granted joint management of Border by its then majority shareholder, which required their consent for all management decisions. The management agreement fell away in 2003, when the von Pezolds increased their shareholding to 86%. [citations omitted]
The Claimants have interpreted the Respondent's arguments regarding direct and indirect claims as an independent ground of challenge to the jurisdiction of the Tribunal over the von Pezold Claimants' claims and the Border Claimants' claims (see below Section VI.D (1)(i)), as opposed to a challenge to the Border Claimants' standing to claim under Article 1(1)(c) of the Swiss BIT. It is noted, however, that the Claimants say they have established their beneficial ownership through the provision of title deeds, share certificates and family trust deeds, all of which are supported by organograms (see Cl. PHB, para. 33). The von Pezold Claimants also note that this same evidence states the percentage that each Claimant owns in the Zimbabwean Companies (including the Border Companies). The von Pezold Claimants affirm that, the investments are ultimately controlled by Elisabeth (see Cl. Skel., para. 33; Cl. PHB, para. 33), and that, although Elisabeth stated in her testimony that she did not understand the detail of the organograms she confirmed that she, together with her family, owns the Estates (see Tr. Day 2, p. 463, lines 11-15).
A central tenet of their business philosophy is to ensure that preservation of their investments for the next generation - as stated, they have lost investments to regime before and they did not wish it to happen again. Before investing they undertake due diligence. Their due diligence includes understanding the economy and local politics, and meeting with government officials in order to understand the host State's attitude to investors.
Therefore when the von Pezold Claimants have made investments - including in the Republic - they have always carried out significant due diligence in order to ensure that their wealth is protected;
...
However, they wished to ensure the preservation of their wealth.
32. Claimants never contributed anything to Zimbabwe. They drained our land of its resources to increase their family wealth which was already considerable
...
33. Claimants were here to reap profits for themselves only. They did not create anything useful for Zimbabwe. Their only concern was to maximise their individual family's financial gain. As they never contributed anything positive to our country, in that sense they did not make an investment which merits benefitting from the protections of a BIT in this arbitration ...
We told them 'you are no longer wanted here.'
... They have exploited us, contributing nothing to our country, and drained us of our country's wealth...
We do not like the greedy ones in any race or culture, those who are selfish, those who contribute nothing to our country but who only thing of taking. We like good people, be they white or otherwise, all good people are accepted and all bad people are not
Given that the Forrester Estate has less arable land available, it has given priority to the cultivation of tobacco over maize because it provides a better financial return.
The Respondent relies on the Tradex case in support of this objection, and in particular the distinction made by the tribunal as between Tradex and the Albanian joint venture of which it was a part for the purpose of identifying a protected investment (see ibid., para. 965, quoting Tradex, para. 103):
As Tradex is the (only) Claimant in this Case, only an investment by Tradex itself is relevant. It is undisputed between the Parties that the Joint Venture "Tradex Torovice" formed by the Agreement of 10 January 1992 (T1) is a separate legal entity under Albanian law (see Art. 1 paragraph 2 of the Agreement and Section 2 of the Authorization of 21 January 1992 = T2). Therefore, while a Tradex contribution is an investment covered by the 1993 Law, any investment by the Joint Venture itself is not a "foreign investment".
However, priorto their Zimbabwean businesses being affected by the Land Reform and Resettlement Programme, there was by and large enough cash generated by the businesses for them to be self-financing.
"incapable of proving that any funds from outside Zimbabwe, from Germany or from Switzerland, ever trickled down to contribute to the Zimbabwean economy". The Respondent continued as follows:
... As a complex railroad switching station of the world's largest cities, many incoming tracks can be switched onto myriad outgoing tracks of financial flow. It is possible that any Input Claimants were to prove having made at the top of this infernal machine never reached Zimbabwe.
Whenever the host state adopts measures that directly affect shareholders' rights, such as the right to receive any declared dividend or to participate in shareholders meetings, it is undisputed that under international law either the shareholder, if it has direct access to an international procedure, or its national state through diplomatic protection, will have standing to claim against the measures. The problem arises, however, when the contested measure affects only the rights of the company because, in any event, it will generally also affect the economic interests of its shareholders measures.
For the purposes of this Article, an indirect claim (or an indirect action) is defined as a claim in which a shareholder requests compensation for damages resulting from a measure that was directed exclusively against the rights of the company in which it holds shares. As will become readily apparent, however, one of the most difficult tasks in this domain is determining whose rights are the ones really affected, notwithstanding the allegation of the shareholder-claimant (who will always argue that it is invoking its own rights and not those of the company). [emphasis added]
The Respondent relies on the jurisprudence of the International Court of Justice ("ICJ"), and in particular Barcelona Traction, Light and Power Co., Ltd. (Belgium/Spain) ("Barcelona Traction") (see 5 February 1970, ICJ Reports 1970, CLEX-153) in support of its position on indirect claims. The Respondent refers to the following statement by the ICJ that, under international law, a company has a distinct personality from its shareholders and because of this separation a company cannot be held responsible for the actions of its shareholders and vice versa (see Rejoinder, para. 969, quoting Barcelona Traction, para. 47, CLEX-153):
[A] wrong done to a company frequently causes prejudice to its shareholders. But the mere fact that damage is sustained by both company and shareholder does not Imply that both are entitled to claim compensation.... Thus whenever a shareholder's interests are harmed by an act done to the company, it is to the latter that he must look to institute appropriate action; for although two separate entities may have suffered from the same wrong, it is only one entity whose rights have been infringed.
The Respondent also refers to the case of Ahmadou Sadio Diallo (Republic of Guinea v. Democratic Republic of the Congo) ("Diallo") (see ICJ, Judgment on the Merits, 30 November 2010, CLEX-365) in which Guinea brought a claim on behalf of one of its nationals who had invested in Congo through two locally incorporated entities. The Respondent states that the ICJ also declined jurisdiction in that case on the basis that a distinction must be made between the companies and the shareholders for purposes of a claim (see Rejoinder, para. 970).