International Investment Law in the Commonwealth Caribbean

This textbook provides the first comprehensive pedagogical treatment of international investment law from a Caribbean perspective, addressing a critical gap in legal education resources.

International Investment Law in the Commonwealth Caribbean employs rigorous doctrinal analysis that places Caribbean experiences at its centre, while also building readers’ analytical capabilities for engaging with complex issues in international economic law. The book is unique in showing how investment law operates in small island developing state contexts, making abstract legal concepts accessible through analysis of Caribbean case law, whilst also developing critical thinking skills. Each chapter integrates traditional black-letter law instruction with critical analysis, drawing on Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL) and post-colonial theory, thereby preparing readers to evaluate competing perspectives on investor protection, state sovereignty, and developmental needs.

Unlike existing investment law textbooks that marginalize developing country experiences, this textbook examines Caribbean states’ encounters with international investment arbitration. The book analyses landmark cases including RSM Production v. Grenada, Peter Allard v. Barbados, and Michael Lee-Chin v. Dominican Republic, illustrating fundamental legal principles while exposing structural inequalities in contemporary investment governance.

International Investment Law in the Commonwealth Caribbean will be essential reading for all students of Caribbean law and international economic law.