The Legal Relationship Between States and Corporations in Large Infrastructure Projects: Beyond Treaties and Contracts

iCourts lunch seminar with Yuan Fang.

Large infrastructure projects have become central to economic development, energy security, and the global energy transition. Whether involving renewable energy facilities, critical mineral extraction, pipelines, or transportation networks, these projects often require long-term cooperation between states and private corporations. However, the legal relationship between governments and corporate actors does not fit neatly within traditional categories of either international treaties or private contracts. Such arrangements frequently combine elements of public authority, commercial negotiation, and regulatory governance. This raises important questions regarding legal status, accountability, and dispute resolution.

This seminar explores how the law conceptualizes state–corporate relationships in major infrastructure projects and whether existing legal frameworks adequately capture their unique nature.