Sanum Investments Limited v Lao People's Democratic Republic, Award on jurisdiction, PCA Case No 2013-13, IIC 1420 (2013), 13th December 2013, Permanent Court of Arbitration [PCA]

Whether the Agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic concerning the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investments (‘BIT’) is applicable to the Macao Special Administrative Region of China.

Whether Sanum Investment Ltd (‘Sanum’) was protected under the BIT and its claims were investment related.

Whether Sanum made an investment in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (‘Lao’).

Whether Lao consented to arbitrate the claim of Sanum under the BIT.

Whether the doctrines of lis pendens and against the abuse of process barred the claim of Sanum.