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Saad Al Doseri, Founder of Al Doseri Law Firm in the Kingdom of Bahrain, has successfully completed a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Business Law at the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
His dissertation, titled “Trends in Bahrain’s Bilateral Investment Treaties: A Legal Analysis of Treaty Evolution, Investor Protections, and ISDS Mechanisms,” offers a comprehensive study of Bahrain’s bilateral investment treaty (BIT) framework. The research provides a comparative legal analysis of six key treaties concluded by Bahrain with the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, China, Russia, and Iran, representing distinct eras and legal traditions in Bahrain’s international treaty practice.
Commenting on this achievement, Saad Al Doseri stated:
“The University of Liverpool’s LL.M. programme provided an exceptional platform to critically examine the intersection of international law, investment protection, and state sovereignty. My research contributes to a deeper understanding of how Bahrain’s treaty practice has evolved to balance robust investor protections with the Kingdom’s regulatory autonomy and sustainable development goals, positioning Bahrain strategically within the regional investment landscape.”
This accomplishment marks a significant milestone in Saad Al Doseri’s distinguished academic and professional career. His expertise in international arbitration, investment law, and cross-border legal frameworks further strengthens Bahrain’s developing position as a regional hub for international dispute resolution and investment law.
About the Dissertation
Dissertation Title: “Trends in Bahrain’s Bilateral Investment Treaties: A Legal Analysis of Treaty Evolution, Investor Protections, and ISDS Mechanisms”
Author: Saad Al Doseri, LL.M.
Institution: University of Liverpool, United Kingdom
Degree Awarded: Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Business Law
Year of Completion: 2025
Dissertation Supervisor: Professor Mavluda Sattorova, LLM, PhD, FHEA, Professor of International Economic Law (Trade and Investment) at the University of Liverpool
Research Overview
This dissertation presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of Bahrain’s Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), tracing their evolution from the 1980s to the present day. The study examines six representative treaties concluded with the United States, the United Kingdom, Iran, Japan, Russia, and China. The research investigates how Bahrain’s investment treaty policy has adapted to changing global standards, the Kingdom’s economic diversification objectives, and the ongoing challenge of balancing robust investor protection with the preservation of national regulatory autonomy. This scholarly analysis enhances understanding of Bahrain’s BIT practice within the broader framework of international investment law, while providing practical insights for harmonising investment promotion strategies with sustainable development principles and effective dispute resolution mechanisms.
Key Research Findings
- Evolution of Treaty Practice: Bahrain’s BITs have progressively shifted from traditional investor-centric models to more balanced agreements reflecting modern concerns such as sustainable development, public policy exceptions, and regulatory flexibility.
- Investor Protections: The study evaluates Fair and Equitable Treatment (FET), expropriation, Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN), and National Treatment (NT) clauses, finding that recent treaties (notably with Japan and the United States) adopt clearer, more precise, and internationally aligned standards.
- Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) Mechanisms: The research highlights Bahrain’s commitment to transparent, rules-based arbitration under internationally recognised frameworks such as ICSID and UNCITRAL, while progressively integrating enhanced procedural safeguards and transparency standards.
- Regulatory Autonomy: Modern treaties increasingly incorporate policy space provisions, allowing Bahrain to safeguard its sovereign right to regulate in critical areas such as public health, environmental protection, financial stability, and national security.
- Policy Implications: The dissertation recommends that Bahrain continue to modernise its BIT network by harmonising treaty language, enhancing transparency and procedural fairness, and integrating sustainable development objectives in alignment with international best practices.
Research Conclusion
Bahrain’s treaty practice demonstrates an evolving and sophisticated legal framework that seeks to balance international investor protections with sovereign policy flexibility. The research contributes significantly to academic and policy debates on investment treaty reform, providing a valuable reference for policymakers, treaty negotiators, and legal practitioners in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and beyond.
The successful completion of this LL.M. would not have been possible without the invaluable guidance and expertise of Professor Mavluda Sattorova, LLM, PhD, FHEA, Professor of International Economic Law (Trade and Investment) at the University of Liverpool. Her profound knowledge, rigorous academic standards, and dedicated mentorship have been instrumental in shaping the research and analysis presented in the dissertation, and her contributions are deeply appreciated.
Saad Al Doseri further extends his sincere gratitude to the faculty and staff at the University of Liverpool for their exceptional support and guidance throughout his studies.
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