Introduction

Since our topic tonight is rather abstract, let me start with a concrete example. Mr X, a national of country A, moves to country B and sets up a business venture together with a local business partner, a national of country B. Things don't work out, problems emerge between Mr X and his business partner, and he takes the case to the courts of country B. His claims are dismissed, in his view wrongly, and in a process that he feels unfairly favored his business partner. He appeals, but the appeal is dismissed. He appeals again, going up to the local Supreme Court. His appeal is ...