International investment law deals with the international law protection of foreign investment and is assigned to international economic law. It is based on a global network of currently more than 3,000 bilateral and multilateral international agreements (so-called investment promotion agreements) and is constantly evolving. The increasing number of investor-state arbitration cases over the years, as well as the public discussions surrounding the conclusion of international trade agreements such as CETA or TTIP, also clearly show the great practical relevance of this area of law for business, society and politics.

Founded in 2008, the International Investment Law Centre Cologne (IILCC) has set itself the task of analysing, scientifically processing and actively shaping the development and ever-increasing complexity of international investment law. The Centre is managed by the Board of Directors and the General Manager. They are supported by an advisory council as well as advisors from academia and practice and the staff of the IILCC. Associated with the institute remain the former general manager and current professor of the University of Siegen Prof. Dr. Jörn Griebel, as well as the lecturers for investment law I and II Prof. Dr. Markus Perkams and Prof. Dr. Lars Markert, LL.M., who were appointed as Honorary Professors in 2024. 

A short presentation of the IILCC and its activities can be downloaded here.

Since its foundation, the IILCC has realised numerous research and teaching projects. These projects cover all areas relating to the protection of foreign investments under international law and investor-state dispute settlement. A particular focus was on the development of online databases, such as the Digest of International Investment Law Jurisprudence and the German Investment Treaty Disputes. Another noteworthy publication is the Handbook on International Investment Law, published in cooperation with the IILCC, which analyses all key aspects and case constellations of international investment law on over 2,000 pages.

A further main task of the Centre is the practical training of students in international investment law at the University of Cologne. The courses offered by the IILCC are aimed at all students with an interest in international business law. Lectures on investment law can be recognised as examination credits in the specialisation area and as part of the LL.M. programme.

The IILCC promotes dialogue between academia and practice through regular events such as the Lectures on International Investment Law, the Krickenbeck Circle on International Investment Law and the programme for visiting scholars. The doctoral seminars on investment law organised by the IILCC provide a platform for young academics. Outstanding dissertations and other relevant research papers are regularly published in the International Investment Law Series, which is published in cooperation with the Centre.

All this is made possible in particular by the generous support of numerous sponsors. Thanks to the commitment of Santander Universities, the endowed junior professorship for International Investment Law, Public International Law and Public Law associated with the Centre was established in 2018. The IILCC would also like to thank all sponsors for their kind support.