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Associate Professor Jonathan Bonnitcha

Associate Professor Jonathan Bonnitcha

Associate Professor

DPhil, University of Oxford

MPhil (Dist), University of Oxford

BCL (Dist), University of Oxford

LLB (Hons I), University of Sydney

BEc (Hons I and Medal), University of Sydney

Law & Justice
School of Global & Public Law

Jonathan is an Associate Professor in Law. His primary area of research interest is international economic governance, with a particular interest in investment treaties. Much of his research is inter-disciplinary, drawing on perspectives from the disciplines of economics and political science.

Prior to joining UNSW Law Jonathan lived in Myanmar, where he worked as an advisor to the Myanmar Government on investment governance. For several years he also worked for the Australian Attorney General's Department, as a member of the team that successfully defended a multi-billion dollar challenge to Australia's tobacco plain packaging laws brought under an investment treaty.

Jonathan holds the degrees of DPhil, MPhil and BCL from the University of Oxford, where he studied as a Rhodes scholar, and the degrees of LLB and BEc (Soc Sci) from the University of Sydney, where he graduated with the University Medal in Political Economy and the Convocation Medal.

Jonathan worked part-time from 2019 to 2021.

Location
Room 223A, Law Building
  • Books | 2017
    Bonnitcha J; Poulsen LNS; Waibel M, 2017, The Political Economy of the Investment Treaty Regime, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK,
    Books | 2014
    Bonnitcha J, 2014, Substantive protection under investment treaties: A legal and economic analysis,
  • Book Chapters | 2022
    Bonnitcha J, 2022, 'The Impact of Investment Treaties on the Rule of Law in Myanmar', in Calamita NJ; Berman A (ed.), Investment Treaties and the Rule of Law Promise The Internalisation of International Commitments in Asia, pp. 127 - 165,
    Book Chapters | 2021
    Bonnitcha J; Poulsen L; Yackee J, 2021, 'A World Without (Treaty-based) ISDS: Costs and Benefits', in Elsig M; Polanco R; van den Bossche P (ed.), International Economic Dispute Settlement Demise or Transformation?, Cambridge University Press, pp. 191 - 219
    Book Chapters | 2018
    Bonnitcha J, 2018, 'International Investment Arbitration in Myanmar: Bounded Rationality, but Not as We Know It', in Nijhoff International Investment Law Series, pp. 335 - 360,
    Book Chapters | 2018
    Wordsworth S; Bonnitcha J, 2018, 'Investment Treaty Arbitration', in Foxton D; Joseph D (ed.), Singapore International Arbitration: Law & Practice, 2nd Edition,
    Book Chapters | 2017
    Bonnitcha J, 2017, 'The Principle of Good Governance in the Reasoning of Investor-State Arbitral Tribunals', in Cordonier Segger M-C; Weeramantry CG (ed.), Sustainable Development Principles in the Decisions of International Courts and Tribunals 1992-2012, Routledge, pp. 583 - 594
    Book Chapters | 2017
    Bonnitcha J, 2017, 'The principle of good governance in the reasoning of investor-State arbitral tribunals', in Segger MCC (ed.), SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES IN THE DECISIONS OF INTERNATIONAL COURTS AND TRIBUNALS: 1992-2012, ROUTLEDGE, pp. 583 - 594
    Book Chapters | 2015
    Bonnitcha J, 2015, 'Chapter 10: Democracy, development and compensation under investment treaties: The case of transition from authoritarian rule', in International Investment Law and Development, Edward Elgar Publishing, pp. 285 - 308,
    Book Chapters | 2015
    Bonnitcha J, 2015, 'Democracy, Development and Compensation under Investment Treaties', in International Investment Law and Development Bridging the Gap, Edward Elgar Publishing
    Book Chapters | 2015
    Bonnitcha J, 2015, 'Democracy, development and compensation under investment treaties: The case of transition from authoritarian rule', in International Investment Law and Development: Bridging the Gap, pp. 285 - 308,
    Book Chapters | 2015
    Poulsen L; Bonnitcha J; Yackee J, 2015, 'Transatlantic Investment Treaty Protection', in Rule-Makers or Rule-Takers? Exploring the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, Rowman & Littlefield
    Book Chapters | 2014
    Wordsworth S; Bonnitcha J, 2014, 'Investment Treaty Arbitration in Singapore', in Singapore International Arbitration Law and Practice, Lexis Nexus
    Book Chapters | 2013
    Bonnitcha J; Aisbett E, 2013, 'An economic analysis of the substantive protections provided by investment treaties', in Yearbook on International Investment Law & Policy 2011-2012, Oxford University Press, pp. 681 - 704
    Book Chapters | 2011
    Bonnitcha J, 2011, 'Outline of a normative framework for evaluating interpretations of investment treaty protections', in Evolution in Investment Treaty Law and Arbitration, pp. 117 - 144,
    Book Chapters | 2011
    Khoday K; Bonnitcha J, 2011, 'Globalization and Inclusive Governance in China and India', in Sustainable Development in World Investment Law, Kluwer Law International
    Book Chapters | 2011
    Taillant D; Bonnitcha J, 2011, 'International Investment Law and Human Rights', in Sustainable Development in World Investment Law, Kluwer Law International
  • Journal articles | 2024
    Arato J; Bonnitcha J; Sattorova M; Liss R, 2024, 'Introduction to the Symposium', AJIL Unbound, 118, pp. 224 - 229,
    Journal articles | 2024
    Bonnitcha J; Williams ZP, 2024, 'The impact of investment treaties on domestic governance in developing countries', Law and Policy, 46, pp. 140 - 169,
    Journal articles | 2024
    Bonnitcha J, 2024, 'What is the Problem with Investment Disputes? The Case of the Draft Legislative Guide on Investment Dispute Prevention and Mitigation', AJIL Unbound, 118, pp. 230 - 235,
    Journal articles | 2023
    Bonnitcha J; Langford M; Alvarez-Zarate JM; Behn D, 2023, 'Damages and ISDS Reform: Between Procedure and Substance', Journal of International Dispute Settlement, 14, pp. 213 - 241,
    Journal articles | 2021
    Aisbett E; Bonnitcha J, 2021, 'A Pareto-Improving Compensation Rule for Investment Treaties', Journal of International Economic Law, 24, pp. 181 - 202,
    Journal articles | 2021
    Bonnitcha J; Aisbett E, 2021, 'Against Balancing: Revisiting the Use/Regulation Distinction To Reform Liability and Compensation Under Investment Treaties', Michigan Journal of International Law, 42, pp. 231 - 290,
    Journal articles | 2020
    Bonnitcha J; Williams ZP, 2020, 'State liability for 'politically' motivated conduct in the investment treaty regime', Leiden Journal of International Law, 33, pp. 77 - 100,
    Journal articles | 2020
    Zárate JMÁ; Baltag C; Behn D; Bonnitcha J; Luca AD; Hestermeyer H; Langford M; Mistelis L; Rodríguez CL; Shaffer G; Weber S, 2020, 'Duration of Investor-State Dispute Settlement Proceedings', Journal of World Investment and Trade, 21, pp. 300 - 335,
    Journal articles | 2019
    Bonnitcha J, 2019, 'Investment Wars: Contestation and Confusion in Debate about Investment Liberalization', Journal of International Economic Law, l22, pp. 629 - 654,
    Journal articles | 2018
    Bonnitcha J, 2018, 'International Investment Law and the Global Financial Architecture. By CHRISTIAN TAMS, STEPHAN SCHILL, and RAINER HOFMANN (eds)', Journal of International Economic Law, 21, pp. 455 - 459,
    Journal articles | 2018
    Bonnitcha J, 2018, 'Review of Jorun Baumgartner, Treaty Shopping in International Investment Law', Modern Law Review, 81, pp. 369 - 374,
    Journal articles | 2017
    Bonnitcha J; McCorquodale R, 2017, 'The concept of 'due diligence' in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: A rejoinder to John Gerard Ruggie and John F. Sherman, III', European Journal of International Law, 28, pp. 929 - 933,
    Journal articles | 2017
    Bonnitcha J; McCorquodale R, 2017, 'The concept of 'due diligence' in the UN Guiding Principles on business and Human Rights', European Journal of International Law, 28, pp. 899 - 919,
    Journal articles | 2017
    Bonnitcha J, 2017, 'International Investment Arbitration in Myanmar: Bounded rationality, but not as we know it', Journal of World Investment and Trade, 18, pp. 974 - 974
    Journal articles | 2016
    Bonnitcha J, 2016, 'Foreign Investment, Development and Governance: What international investment law can learn from the empirical literature on investment', Journal of International Dispute Settlement, 7,
    Journal articles | 2014
    Bonnitcha J, 2014, 'Investment Treaties and Transition from Authoritarian Rule', The Journal of World Investment & Trade, 15, pp. 965 - 1011,
    Journal articles | 2013
    Lindsay R; McCorquodale R; Blecher L; Bonnitcha J; Crockett A; Sheppard A, 2013, 'Human rights responsibilities in the oil and gas sector: Applying the UN guiding principles', Journal of World Energy Law and Business, 6, pp. 2 - 66,
    Journal articles | 2012
    Bonnitcha J, 2012, 'Review of Fair and Equitable Treatment: a Sequel (UNCTAD 2012)', Transnational Dispute Management,
  • Reports | 2023
    Bonnitcha J; Nikiéma S; St John T, 2023, Rethinking National Investment Laws,
    Reports | 2022
    Bonnitcha J; Williams ZP, 2022, Investment Dispute Prevention and Management Agencies: Toward a more informed policy discussion, International Institute for Sustainable Development, ,
    Reports | 2022
    Bonnitcha J, 2022, Submission to the OECD Public Consultation on Investment Treaties and Climate Change,
    Reports | 2021
    Sattorova M; Bonnitcha J; Chernykh Y; Ostřanský J, 2021, Preventing, mitigating and managing investor-state disputes, ,
    Reports | 2020
    Bonnitcha J; Mathew A, 2020, Corruption in Investor-State Arbitration, ,
    Reports | 2020
    Bonnitcha J, 2020, Submission to the Review of Australia's Bilateral Investment Treaties, ,
    Reports | 2019
    Bonnitcha J; Brewin S, 2019, Compensation under Investment Treaties, International Institute for Sustainable Development,
    Reports | 2019
    Hestermeyer H; Álvarez Zarate JM; Baltag C; Behn D; Bonnitcha J; Langford M; de Luca A; Mistelis L; Shaffer G, 2019, Duration of ISDS Proceedings,
    Reports | 2018
    Bonnitcha J, 2018, Is there a role for investment liberalisation provisions in investment treaties?,
    Reports | 2017
    Bonnitcha J, 2017, Assessing the Impacts of Investment Treaties: Overview of the evidence,
    Reports | 2017
    Bonnitcha J, 2017, Investment Laws of ASEAN Countries: A comparative review,
    Reports | 2014
    Bonnitcha J, 2014, Myanmar’s Investment Treaties: A review of legal issues in light of recent trends,
    Reports | 2014
    Bonnitcha J, 2014, The Myanmar-Japan Bilateral Investment Treaty,
    Reports | 2013
    Poulsen L; Bonnitcha J; Yackee J, 2013, Analytical Framework for Assessing Costs and Benefits of Investment Protection Treaties,
    Reports | 2013
    Poulsen L; Bonnitcha J; Yackee J, 2013, Costs and Benefits of an EU-China Investment Protection Treaty,
    Reports | 2013
    Poulsen L; Bonnitcha J; Yackee J, 2013, Costs and Benefits of an EU-USA Investment Protection Treaty,
    Reports | 2010
    Bonnitcha J; Aisbett E, 2010, Submission to the Productivity Commission’s Review of Bilateral and Regional Trade Agreements,
    Preprints |
    Aisbett E; Bonnitcha J, Compensation under Investment Treaties – As if Host Interests Mattered,
    Preprints |
    Bonnitcha J; Aisbett E, Against Balancing: Revisiting the Use/Regulation Distinction to Reform Liability and Compensation Under Investment Treaties,
    Preprints |
    Bonnitcha J; McCorquodale R, Is the Concept of ‘Due Diligence’ in the Guiding Principles Coherent?,
    Preprints |
    Bonnitcha J; Skovgaard Poulsen LN; Waibel M, Chapter 9: Legitimacy and Governance Challenges,
    Preprints |
    Bonnitcha J; Waibel M, The Macroeconomics of Investment Treaties' Investment Liberalization Provisions: A Review of Theory and Evidence, ,
    Preprints |
    Bonnitcha J, Submission to OECD Investor- State Dispute Settlement Public Consultation,
    Preprints |
    Bonnitcha J, The Economics of Investment Treaty Protection and the Evolving Empirical Research Agenda,
    Preprints |
    Bonnitcha J, The Impact of Investment Treaties on Domestic Governance in Myanmar,
  • Media | 2024
    Bonnitcha J; Nikiéma S; St John T, 2024, How Investment Laws Can Become Powerful tools for Sustainable FDI Governance, ,
    Media | 2021
    Bonnitcha J, 2021, Can Clive Palmer use Investor-State Dispute Settlement to get what the High Court wouldn't give him?,
    Media | 2021
    Bonnitcha J, 2021, Corruption and confidentiality in contract-based ISDS: The case of P&ID v Nigeria,
    Media | 2021
    Bonnitcha J, 2021, Rethink the Rule, not the Exception,
    Media | 2020
    Berrnasconi-Osterwalder N; Bonnitcha J, 2020, Investment negotiations at the WTO and the IIA regime: Anticipating unintended interactions,
    Media | 2020
    Bonnitcha J, 2020, The return of investment screening as a policy tool,
    Media | 2019
    Bonnitcha J; Williams Z, 2019, Politically Motivated Conduct in Investment Treaty Arbitration,
    Media | 2015
    Bonnitcha J, 2015, Political Change vs. Legal Stability, ,
    Media | 2012
    Bonnitcha J, 2012, The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: the implications for enterprises and their lawyers,
    Media | 2011
    Bonnitcha J, 2011, The problem of moral hazard and its implications for the protection of “legitimate expectations” under the fair and equitable treatment standard,

2022-2025 ‘China’s Belt and Road Initiative: A New Model of Economic Governance?’ (with Heng Wang, Kun Fan and Ross Buckley) Australian Research Council Discovery Project ($283,250)

2012-2013 Economic and Social Research Council (UK) Post-doctoral Fellowship (£80,000)

My Research Supervision

Elisabeth Perham, ‘Modes of external constitutional advice giving in constitutionmaking processes'

Bruno Pegorari, 'Assessing the role and the impact on Indigenous peoples of the international law of remedies'

Millicent McCreath, 'Safeguarding the interests of the international community in the protection of the marine environment under national jurisdiction'

Xiaolei Han, 'State Capitalism and the Evolution of State-owned Enterprises in China's Outward Investment Landscape: Implications for Developing China's Investor-state Dispute Settlement Mechanism'

MohammedAbdur Razzak, 'International Law And The Changing Dynamics Of The Human Rights Due Diligence In The Global Apparel Supply Chain: Implications For Bangladesh'

Completions

Lukas Schaugg, 'A Soft Competition Among Arbitral Institutions The institutional oligopoly of mixed arbitration' (External supervisor of PhD at York University, Canada, conferred 2024)

Zhenyu Xiao, 'The Evolution of the Settlement of Investor-State Disputes in China' (PhD conferred in 2023)

Justin Jos Poonjatt, 'Using Legal Waivers in Operational-Level Grievance Mechanisms and their impact on Access to Remedies in Business and Human Rights' (PhD conferred 2023)

Dan Xie, 'Transnational Due Process and Article V(1)(b) of the New York Convention: Grounding Interpretation and Application of the Due Process Defence in the Public International Law Framework for Treaty Interpretation' (PhD conferred 2022)

Sophie Burbidge, 'Regulating Stored Value Facilities in Australia: Review and a Proposal for Reform' (PhD conferred 2019)

My Teaching

International Investment Law and Policy (LAWS3070)

International Investment Law (LAWS8079/JURD7479)

Law in the Global Context (LAWS2270/JURD7270)

Principles of International Law (LAWS8180)