Riverside Coffee LLC v Republic of Nicaragua

Brief

Riverside Coffee LLC, a U.S. investor, filed a US$286 million ICSID claim against the Republic of Nicaragua under the DR-CAFTA treaty. The dispute centred on alleged expropriation and mistreatment following the occupation of Riverside’s avocado farm during civil unrest in 2018.

What we did

HKA experts and partners  Timothy Hart and Kenneth Kratovil, and associate director Matt Lupo, delivered valuation, economic damages, and forensic analysis. The engagement included expert reporting and testimony on behalf of the respondent. The tribunal dismissed the claims, concluding that Nicaragua’s actions were taken in good faith and fell within the treaty’s “essential security interests” exception.

Outcomes

The tribunal dismissed Riverside’s claims, concluding that Nicaragua’s actions were taken in good faith and fell within the treaty’s “essential security interests” exception.
This case underscores HKA’s ability to deliver rigorous valuation and damages analysis in investor-state disputes. It also highlights the firm’s expertise in supporting sovereign states with valuation and forensic analysis in high-stakes international arbitration.

Find out more: US$286 million investor-state claim brought by Riverside Coffee LLC