The Legal Enforceability of CPTPP Anti-corruption Provisions and The Implications to Dispute Settlements

Compared to previous free trade agreements(FTAs), the anti-corruption provisions(ACPs) in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership(CPTPP) have been significantly strengthened in terms of legal enforceability and deserve more attention. The legally enforceable ACPs in CPTPP are concentrated in Articles 26.6 and 26.7. However, this legal enforceability may have implications for dispute settlements under CPTPP and could cause internal conflicts and judicial overlap which need to be addressed through treaty interpretation, treaty modification, or general international law approaches, and the role of the Trade Commission could be considered. This article wishes to provide ideas for a more harmonious inclusion of ACPs in future FTAs. CPTPP, Anti-corruption, Enforceability, Dispute Settlement, Internal Conflict, Judicial Overlap