A number of international trade and international investment agreements to which Canada is a party provide for the establishment of rosters of persons available to serve on dispute settlement bodies. Should a dispute arise under the agreement, individuals from the roster are named to the dispute settlement body through a process specified in the relevant agreement to determine the dispute in accordance with the provisions of the agreement.
The Government of Canada is currently seeking candidates for a dozen of these rosters under the North American Free Trade Agreement, the Canada – European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, the Canada – Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement and the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and the Nationals of Other States. For reference, the full list of opportunities is:
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
- NAFTA Chapter 20 (General State to State) Roster
- NAFTA Chapter 19 (Trade Remedies) Roster
- NAFTA Chapter 19 Extraordinary Challenge Committee (ECC) Roster
- NAFTA Chapter 14 (Financial Services) Roster
- NAFTA Article 2022 Advisory Committee on Private Commercial Disputes
International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)
- ICSID Panel of Arbitrators
- ICSID Panel of Conciliators
Canada – Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement (CCRFTA)
- CCRFTA Article XIII.9 (General State to State) Roster
Canada – European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) – Anticipatory
- CETA Chapter 29 (General State to State) Roster - Anticipatory
- CETA Chapter 13 (Financial Services) Roster – Anticipatory
- CETA Chapter 23 (Trade and Labour) Roster – Anticipatory
- CETA Chapter 24 (Trade and Environment) Roster – Anticipatory
Requirements for the rosters vary and are set out in detail at: International Trade and International Investment Dispute Settlement Bodies. Applications are due by September 25, 2017. Anyone who is qualified and interested – including those who are already well established in their field – is encouraged to submit an application. The government particularly encourages applications from under-represented groups.