Céline Lévesque

Céline Lévesque
Céline Lévesque
Full Professor

License in Civil Law, cum laude, (LL.L.), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, 1987-1990
Bachelor of Common Law (LL.B.), Dalhousie University, Halifax, 1990-1991
Master in European Community Law (LL.M.), College of Europe, Bruges, Belgium, 1992-1993
Master of Arts in Science, Technology and Public Policy (M.A.), George Washington University, Elliot School of International Affairs, Washington D.C., United States, 1993-1995

Room
: 57, Louis-Pasteur Private, room 337
Phone
613-562-5121 (télécopieur)


Biography

Céline Lévesque has been a professor at the University of Ottawa for more than 25 years and has held the position of Dean of the Faculty of Law, Civil Law Section, from 2014 to 2019. She is an expert in International Economic Law, in particular in International Investment Law. She was a visiting professor at University Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and at Xi’an Jiaotong University, in China. She has also given lectures and conferences in a dozen countries. In 2019-2021, she was President of the Canadian Council on International Law.

Professor Lévesque serves as an arbitrator in investor-State cases (as president and co-arbitrator). She has also been appointed to rosters for dispute settlement under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.

In 2008-2009, Professor Lévesque was a Scholar-in-Residence at the Trade Law Bureau of the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. In that capacity, she participated in NAFTA Chapter 11 proceedings and in bilateral investment treaty negotiations.

Prior to joining the university, Céline worked at the World Bank in Washington, DC, in a group specialized in private participation in infrastructure (1995-1998). She was involved in projects dealing with public-private partnerships in the water and electricity sectors and participated in missions to the Ivory Coast, Guinea (Conakry), Mauritania and Senegal.

Courses taught

  • DRC 4540 – Règlement des différends internationaux (International Dispute Settlement)
  • DRC 4545 - Droit international des investissements étrangers (International Investment Law)
  • DRC 3500 - Séminaire d'exposé juridique: droit international économique et règlement des différends internationaux (Writing seminar on International Economic Law and Dispute Settlement)
  • DCL 6750 - Étude de cas en droit international économique -- aux études supérieures (International Economic Case Studies -- Graduate Studies)

Publications 

Books

  • de Mestral, A. and Lévesque, C., eds., Improving International Investment Agreements, Routledge, 2013, 417 pages.
     

Book Chapters

  • Lévesque, C., “Article 8.16 - Denial of benefits,” in Marc Bungenberg and August Reinisch, eds., CETA Investment Law, Article-by-Article Commentary, Nomos, 2022, pp. 395-416.
  • Lévesque, C., “Canada et Vietnam dans la foulée des réformes de l’Union européenne : défis de l’instauration de systèmes juridictionnels des investissements et voie vers un tribunal multilatéral,” in Joël Lebullenger, Danielle Charles-Le Bihan, Nguyen Minh Hang, eds., Le partenariat UE-ASEAN face aux partenariats concurrents des puissances d’Asie-Pacifique, Presses universitaires de Rennes (forthcoming).

    *available online (2019): CIGI, document no. 212, mars 2019.
    https://www.cigionline.org/sites/default/files/documents/Paper%20no.212%20FR_0.pdf
  • Lévesque, C., “Will Asia breathe life into a Multilateral Investment Court? Thoughts on the feasibility and design of a new, stand-alone court,” in Junji Nakagawa, ed., Asian Perspectives on International Investment Law, Routledge, 2019, pp. 83-113.
  • Lévesque, C., “The European Commission proposal for an Investment Court System: Out with the Old, In with the New?,” in Armand de Mestral, ed. Second Thoughts: Investor-State Arbitration between Developed Democracies, CIGI, 2017, pp. 59-87.

    *available online (2016): CIGI, Investor-State Arbitration Series, Paper No. 10
    https://www.cigionline.org/sites/default/files/isa_paper_series_no.10_0.pdf
  • Lévesque, C., “Les négociations transatlantiques sur l’investissement : Un travail d’équilibriste, illustré par la norme de traitement juste et équitable,” in Christian Deblock, Joel Lebullenger et Stéphane Paquin, eds., Un nouveau pont sur l’Atlantique : L’Accord économique et commercial global entre l’Union européenne et le Canada, Presses de l’Université du Québec, 2015, pp. 169-180.
  • Lévesque, C., “The inclusion of GATT Article XX exceptions in IIAs: a potentially risky policy,” in Roberto Echandi and Pierre Sauvé, eds., Prospects in International Investment Law and PolicyWorld Trade Forum, Cambridge University Press, 2013, pp. 363-370.
  • Lévesque, C. “The Challenges of ‘Marrying’ Investment Liberalisation and Protection in the Canada-EU CETA,” in Marc Bungenberg, August Reinisch and Christian Tietje, eds., EU and Investment Agreements – Open Questions and Remaining Challenges, Hart Publishing, 2013, pp. 121-144.
  • Lévesque, C. & A. Newcombe, “Commentary on the Canadian Model Foreign Promotion and Protection Agreement,” in Chester Brown, ed., Commentaries on Selected Model International Investment Agreements, Oxford University Press, 2013, pp. 53-130.
  • Lévesque C. & A. Newcombe, “The Evolution of IIA Practice in Canada and the United States,” in A. de Mestral and C. Lévesque, eds., Improving International Investment Agreements, Routledge, 2013, pp. 25-41.
  • Lévesque C., “Increasing the Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution in IIAs,” in A. de Mestral and C. Lévesque, eds., Improving International Investment Agreements, Routledge, 2013, pp. 135-157.
  • Lévesque, C., “Investment and Water Resources: Limits to NAFTA,” in Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger, Markus W Gehring & Andrew Newcombe, eds., Sustainable Development in World Investment Law, Wolters Kluwer, 2011, pp. 409-428.
  • Lévesque, C.,“Distinguishing Expropriation and Regulation under NAFTA Chapter 11: Making Explicit the Link to Property,” in K. Kennedy, ed., The First Decade of NAFTA:  The Future of Free Trade in North America, Transnational Publishers, 2004, pp. 293-324.
     

Articles Published in Refereed Journals

  • Lévesque, C. & Christian Schmid, “The 2021 Canadian Model FIPA: More Than Meets the Eye,” ICSID Review - Foreign Investment Law Journal, Volume 38, Issue 3, Fall 2023, pp. 670–692.
  • Lévesque, C., “Canada’s Pro-ban Stance on Double-hatting: Playing the Long Game in ISDS Reform?,The Canadian Yearbook of International Law2020, published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2021, pp. 382-407.
  • Lévesque, C., “Les rôles et responsabilités des provinces canadiennes dans le cadre de procédures d’arbitrage entre investisseurs et États fondées sur des traités économiques,” 28.1 Revue québécoise de droit international, 2015, pp. 107-155.
  • Lévesque, C., “Inconsistency in Investor-State Awards and the Role of State Interpretations: The Example of the Mexican Sweetener Trio of Cases under NAFTA,” Yearbook on International Investment Law & Policy 2013-2014 (Oxford University Press, 2015), pp. 361-399.
  • Lévesque, C., “Correctness’ as the proper standard of review applicable to ‘true’ questions of jurisdiction in the set-aside of treaty-based investor-State awards,” Journal of International Dispute Settlement, 2014, pp. 69-103 (advance access publication 2013).
  • Lévesque, C., “Case Comment – Abaclat and Others v Argentine Republic – The Definition of Investment,” ICSID Review, vol. 27, no. 2, Fall 2012, pp. 247-254.
  • Lévesque, C., “Chronique de Droit international économique en 2010-2011 – Investissement,” Annuaire canadien de Droit international 2011, vol. XLIX, pp. 353-379.
  • Lévesque, C., “Chronique de Droit international économique en 2009 – Investissement, Annuaire canadien de Droit international 2010, vol. XLVIII, pp. 291-334.
  • Lévesque, C., “Science in the hands of international investment tribunals: A case for ‘scientific due process’,” Finnish Yearbook of International Law 2009, vol. 20, pp. 259-290.
  • Lévesque, C., “Chronique de Droit international économique en 2008 – Investissement, Annuaire canadien de Droit international 2009, vol. XLVII, pp. 385-410.
  • Lévesque, C., “Chronique de Droit international économique en 2007 – Investissement, Annuaire canadien de Droit international 2008, vol. XLVI, pp. 461-486.
  • Lévesque, C., “Chronique de Droit international économique en 2006 – Investissement, Annuaire canadien de Droit international 2007, vol. XLV, pp. 375-407.
  • Lévesque, C., “Influences on the Canadian FIPA model and US model BIT: NAFTA Chapter 11 and Beyond, The Canadian Yearbook of International Law 2006, vol. XLIV, pp. 249-298.
  • Lévesque, C., “Chronique de Droit international économique en 2003 – Investissement, Annuaire canadien de Droit international 2004, vol. XLII, pp. 475-497.
  • Lévesque, C., “Chronique de Droit international économique en 2002 – Investissement, Annuaire canadien de Droit international 2003, vol. XLI, pp. 433-442.
  • Lévesque, C., “Les fondements de la distinction entre l’expropriation et la réglementation en droit international,” Revue générale de droit, 2003, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 39-92.
  • Lévesque, C., “Chronique de Droit international économique en 2001 – Investissement,” Annuaire canadien de Droit international 2002, vol. XL, pp. 453-467.
  • Lévesque, C., “Investor-State Arbitration Under NAFTA Chapter 11: What Lies Beneath Jurisdictional Challenges,” ICSID Review - Foreign Investment Law Journal, Fall 2002vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 320-379.
  • Lévesque, C., “Chronique de Droit international économique en 2000 – Investissement,” Annuaire canadien de Droit international 2001, vol. XXXIX, pp. 463-483.
  • Lévesque, C., “Chronique de Droit international économique en 1999 – Investissement,” Annuaire canadien de Droit international 2000, vol. XXXVIII, pp. 310-330.
  • Lévesque, C., “L’affaire Desona: Réflexions sur la première sentence arbitrale rendue sur le fond sous le régime du chapitre 11 (investissement) de 1’Accord de libre-échange nord-américain,” Annuaire canadien de Droit international 1999, vol. XXXVII, pp. 257-284.
     

Papers in refereed conference proceedings

  • Lévesque, C., “Introductory Remarks,” Using Old Tools in New Ways: The New Economic World Order, Proceedings of the Annual Meeting 2020, American Society of International Law, Washington, D.C., 2021, pp. 61-62.
  • Lévesque, C., “Alternatives to Investor-State Arbitration in a Multi-Polar World” Panel, Proceedings of the Annual Meeting, American Society of International Law, Washington, D.C., 2013, pp. 29-32.
  • Lévesque, C., “Introductory Remarks,” Sanctions in International Investment Law, Proceedings of the Annual Meeting, American Society of International Law, Washington, D.C., 2012, pp. 117-118.
  • Lévesque, C., “Preliminary Legal Assessments of Investor Claims as a Tool to ‘Fitting the Forum to the Fuss’,” in Susan D. Frank and Anna Joubin-Bret, eds., Investor-State Disputes: Prevention and Alternatives to Arbitration II, Proceedings of the Washington and Lee University and UNCTAD Joint Symposium on International Investment and Alternative Dispute Resolution, held on 29 March 2010 in Lexington, Virginia, United States of America, UNCTAD, United Nations, 2011, pp. 77-79.
     

Major Contributions and/or Technical Reports

  • Kerf M. with, R.D. Gray, T. Irwin, C. Lévesque, et R. Taylor, Concessions for Infrastructure: A Guide to Their Design and Award, World Bank Technical Paper no. 389, The World Bank, Washington, D.C., 1998, 132 pages.
     

Others

  • Lévesque, C., “Can a Legacy Investment Claim Be Made under the USMCA for Measures that Were Adopted after the Termination of NAFTA?” Kluwer Arbitration Blog, July 28, 2022 (3 pages)
  • Lévesque, C., “CETA’s New System for the Resolution of Investment Disputes: What a Difference a Few Months Make,” Investor-State Arbitration Commentary Series No. 3, Series: Cosmic Or Cosmetic Reform: Commentaries on the Real and Imagined Potential of the CETA’s Investment TribunalMay 6, 2016 (2 pages)
  • Lévesque, C., “The European Union Commission Proposal for the Creation of an ‘Investment Court System’: The Q and A that the Commission Won’t Be Issuing” Kluwer Arbitration Blog, April 6, 2016 (3 pages)
     

Conferences (selection)

  • 21 March 2024: Panel member, Conference on the joint triennial project on International Investment Contracts, ICC Institute of World Business Law and UNIDROIT, Paris & virtual
  • 2 November 2023: Panel member, International Litigation in the Venn, 2023 Annual Conference of the CCIL, Inside the Venn: International Law at its Intersections, Ottawa
  • 20 October 2022: Panel member, The Legacy of NAFTA Chapter 11: USMCA and Beyond, Swiss Institute of Comparative Law and the Center on International Commercial Arbitration at the American University Washington College of Law Conference, Paris & virtual
  • 3 May 2022: USMCA Implementation and Legacy Investment Claims, Trends in Global and Regional Trade: The View from North America Workshop, Center for the United States and Mexico, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy (virtual)
  • 9 July 2021: Panel member, In Memoriam: A Tribute to H.E. Judge James Crawford, Conference of the Society of International Economic Law, in collaboration with Bocconi University, Rethinking Global Economic Governance (virtual)
  • 19 May 2021: Panel member, Arbitration or an International Investment Court: The Search for a New Paradigm, International Arbitration: Charting the Path Ahead, ILA-Canada Biennial Conference (virtual)
  • 24 September 2020: Panel member, Investment Protection under the New NAFTA: Problems and Prospects, Webinar hosted by the Center for the United States and Mexico, Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy (virtual)
  • 25 June 2020: Panel chair, Using Old Tools in New Ways: The New Economic World                                             Order, 114th Virtual Annual Meeting, American Society of International                                             Law (virtual)
  • 8 February 2020: Reflections on UNCITRAL Working Group III’s Most Recent Meetings on ISDS Reform: ISDS Structural Reforms and the Role of States as “Master of the Treaties”, ITA Academic Council, Works-in-Progress Workshop, New York
  • 24 October 2019: Panel: Diversity Among Adjudicators: Can the Multilateral Investment Court Set a New Standard?, Canadian Council on International Law, Diversity and International Law, Ottawa
  • 9 November 2018: Panel: Investment Arbitration – Whither and Why?, ICC Canada International Arbitration Conference, Ottawa
  • 1 November 2018 : L'interprétation des exceptions générales dans les traités d'investissement à l’aune de la sentence dans l’affaire Bear Creek Mining Corporation c. Republic of Peru, Conseil canadien de droit international, Le droit international aux frontières, Ottawa
  • 15-19 October 2018: Lecture and seminars while a Visiting Professor at Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an

    -Thoughts on the feasibility and design of a Multilateral Investment Court

    -Challenges related to the establishment of EU sponsored “Investment Court Systems” and paradigm shifts required by the transition to a Multilateral Investment Court

    -The interpretation of general exceptions in IIAs
  • 3 November 2017: Does History Lead to a Multilateral Investment Court?, Canadian Council on International Law, Canada at 150: The Return of History for International Law, Ottawa
  • 15 October 2017: Remarks on challenges faced by Canada in current trade negotiations, especially in relation to investment dispute settlement, Japanese Association of International Economic Law Annual Meeting, Tokyo
  • 13 October 2017: Guest lecturer on the proposal for a multilateral investment court, University of Tokyo, Tokyo
  • 10 October 2017 : Les accords de l’UE avec le Canada et le Viet Nam et la possibilité de création d’une juridiction multilatérale sur les investissements, Le partenariat UE-ASEAN face aux partenariats concurrents des puissances d’Asie-Pacifique, École Supérieure du Commerce Extérieur de Hanoi et Université de Rennes 2, Hanoi
  • 17 June 2017: Will Asia breathe life into a Multilateral Investment Court? Asian International Economic Law Network (AIELN) 5th Biennial Conference Asian Perspectives on International Investment Law, Xiamen University, Xiamen
  • 5 April 2017: Le règlement des différends internationaux entre investisseurs et États: quel(s) modèle(s) pour l’avenir? (ou l’UE gagnera-t-elle le pari de la judiciarisation?), Cycle de conférences Sorbonne – Droit, Université Paris I Panthéon Sorbonne, Paris
  • 20 May 2016: The new investment dispute settlement systems of recent economic agreements, Conference on investment arbitration and national interest: Central and Eastern European experiences in the light of the upcoming EU-US Free Trade Agreement, Budapest
  • 19 May 2016: Modernizing CETA, CEPS/CIGI Conference: The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement: A Good Deal for the European Union?, Brussels
  • 12 March 2016: Panel on the Trans Pacific Partnership “Challenges for North American Trade,” North American Consortium on Legal Education Workshop, Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Monterrey
  • 20 October 2015: Guest lecturer on the investment chapters of recent international economic agreements, SWUPL, Chongqing
  • 11 Septembre 2015: L'arbitrage conventionnel investisseur-État : sens dessus dessous! Midi conférence du Centre d'études pluridisciplinaires en commerce et investissement internationaux (CEPCI), Université Laval, Québec
  • 5 May 2015: The Standard(s) of Review of Investor-State Awards by Domestic Courts, Key Developments in International Investment Law and Investor-State Arbitration, Ontario Bar Association, Toronto
  • 27 February 2015: The future of investment arbitration, 18th Annual IBA International Arbitration Day, ICSID’s 50th Anniversary: A retrospective and a forecast of the future of investment arbitration, Washington, D.C.
  • 13 November 2014: Natural Resource Projects, the Duty to Consult First Nations and Canada’s Responsibility Under Investment Treaties, 43rd Annual Conference, Canadian Council on International Law, Ottawa
  • 6 May 2014: The Investment Chapter of CETA and Art of Compromise, The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA): Implications of British Columbia Conference, University of Victoria, Victoria (B.C.)
  • 22 October 2013: Professeur invité, Droit international des investissements, Université de Rennes, Rennes
  • 12 April 2013: Les négociations transatlantiques sur l’investissement: un travail d’équilibriste, Séminaire sur l’Accord économique et commercial global entre l’Union européenne et le Canada. Du dialogue au libre-échange transatlantique, Université de Rennes, Rennes (visioconférence)
  • 4 April 2013: Alternatives to Investor-State Arbitration in a Multi-Polar World, 107th Annual Meeting, American Society of International Law, Washington, D.C.
  • 30 November 2012: The Review of NAFTA Chapter 11 Awards by Canadian Courts: Achieving a Balance between Public and Private Justice, American Society of International Law, International Economic Law Interest Group 2012 Biennial Meeting, George Washington University Law School, Washington, D.C.
  • 18 June 2012: The Challenges of “Marrying” Investment Liberalisation and Protection in the Canada-EU CETA, International Conference on EU and Investment Agreements – Open Questions and Remaining Challenges, University of Vienna, Vienna
  • 11 May 2012:  “True” questions of jurisdiction and the correctness standard of review – Views from Canada in Cargill v. Mexico, The Eighteenth Investment Treaty Forum Public Conference, British Institute of International and Comparative Law, London

Field of interest

  • Droit international économique - International Economic Law
  • Droit international des investissements - International Investment Law
  • Règlement des différends commerciaux internationaux - International dispute settlement
  • Droit international public - Public international law