About the Laboratory
The Laboratory for the Study of Public Interest Protection under Economic Sanctions at HSE University’s Faculty of Law focuses primarily on research and teaching issues concerning the legal protection of Russian interests within the WTO, general international law, Eurasian Economic Union law, and Russian domestic law.
The Laboratory’s work will lead to the development of a new master’s programme in International Trade Law, Finance, and Economic Integration; development of new materials for the following courses: WTO Law, International Dispute Resolution, and Modern Problems of International Economic Law, as well as participation in the ELSA Moot Court Competition on WTO Law and the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition.
The scientific seminar on the topic: “ISDS reform: an inside look”
On May 23, 2026, the Laboratory for the Study of Public Interest Protection under Economic Sanctions held a scientific seminar entitled “ISDS reform: an inside look”.
The Scientific and Educational Laboratory for Research in the Field of Protecting State Interests under Economic Sanctions invites you to a seminar on the topic: “The Fundamentals of Investor-State Dispute Settlement” which will take place on May 16 at 4:20 PM.
International relations are facing a period of challenges stemming from objective factors, including armed conflicts, unilateral economic measures, climate change, the growing importance of human rights, technological advancements, and others. In times of crisis, states resort to regulatory measures that inevitably affect the interests of citizens and companies. Conflicts between private and public interests are becoming the subject of dispute resolution between private businesses and states. International law provides for the regulation of relations between foreign investors and host states, as well as mechanisms for resolving disputes between them, which are becoming increasingly relevant, namely negotiations, state court proceedings, and arbitration. The class will focus primarily on the predominant mechanism for resolving such disputes: investment arbitration.
Students will learn what constitutes the subject matter of investment arbitration, examine jurisdictional aspects of investment arbitration under international treaties, explore the institutional features of investment arbitration, and review applicable arbitration rules. The class will also cover the stages (procedural steps) of investment arbitration, including enforcement.
From April 4 to April 5, 2026, the Research Laboratory Actively Participated in the Organization and Delivery of an Intensive Seminar Jointly with Gujarat Maritime University (India)
Daria Zavershinskaya (PhD student, HSE University) and Irina Teterina (Research Intern, Research Laboratory) were invited as speakers.
On April 21, 2026, the Research Laboratory Held a Seminar on the Topic: "Reciprocal Tariffs in U.S. Courts: Content and Consequences of the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling"
The seminar participants examined this area and considered it from the WTO perspective.
On March 26, 2026, a Roundtable on the Topic "Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change" Was Successfully Held
The event was held jointly with the participation of the Research Laboratory for International Justice and the the Research Laboratory for the Protection of State Interests under Economic Sanctions
On March 4, 2026, the Research Laboratory Held an Online Seminar on the Topic "Intervention in Inter-State Proceedings: a Useful Tool or a Hidden Threat?"
The seminar was devoted to the issues of third-party intervention in inter-state disputes, primarily those administered by the International Court of Justice.
On December 22, 2025, the Research Laboratory Held a Seminar on the Topic: "Current Issues in the Reform of the WTO Dispute Settlement System"
The seminar was devoted to the ongoing crisis of the WTO Dispute Settlement Body and why its inaction matters for global trade.
Olga Starshinova, Researcher at the Research Laboratory, Conducted a Master Class on Strategies for Conducting Interstate Negotiations within the BRICS Law Schools Consortium
During the master class, participants discussed how states decide on the appropriateness of concluding an agreement, the possible structure of an agreement, the procedure for drafting the text, and negotiation strategies.
On November 19, 2025, the Research Laboratory Held a Seminar on the Topic: "The Standard of Deference in Arbitration to the State's Right to Regulate: a Critical Analysis of Investment Arbitration Practice"
During the seminar, relying on recent practice of investment arbitrations, the prevailing approach was examined and whether it can be described as truly balanced.
On October 27, 2025, the Research Laboratory Held a Seminar on the Topic: "The Approach of International Financial Institutions to National Sanctions"
The seminar was conducted in English and was devoted to the analysis of sanctions regimes that are relevant to international financial institutions (IFIs).