You're both partly right: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Centre_for_Settlement_of_Investment_Disputes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Cen

You're both partly right: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Centre_for_Settlement_of_Investment_Disputes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Centre_for_Settle... The World Bank itself gives loans, advice, and research. But there are a large number of semi-associated agencies, under their own treaties, that do other things, such as settling investment disputes. But it's important to note, as rayiner said elsewhere, that contracts are private law, and you get to choose how to settle disputes unless some public policy decides otherwise.