...the United States trade representative has pushed countries to include clauses in trade agreements allowing companies to take trade disputes to arbitration, bypassing courts. But the arbitration process itself is often one-sided, favoring well-heeled corporations over poor countries...Unlike trials, arbitrations take place in secret. There is no room in the process to hear people who might be hurt, in this case Ecuador's rainforest dwellers. [refers to Texaco (part of ChevronTexaco), Metalclad (part of Entrx)]