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Introduction to dispute settlement in the WTO > back to top
How does the WTO settle disputes?
This link takes you to the section on disputes in the WTO guide, “Understanding the WTO”. Use your browser's “back” button to return to this page.
> Interactive course: The WTO dispute settlement system
> Video: Case studies of WTO dispute settlement
> Secretariat’s informal consultations concerning the panel process
The legal basis > back to top
The Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU) — the main WTO agreement on settling disputes. Like the bulk of the WTO agreements, this was one of the outcomes of the Uruguay Round negotiations.
- A technical explanation
- Browse or download the text of the DSU from the legal texts gateway
Rules of Conduct on rules and procedures for settling disputes, adopted in December 1996
Working Procedures for Appellate Review
The Dispute Settlement Body > back to top
Made up of all member governments, usually represented by ambassadors or equivalent. The current chairperson is
H.E. Shahid BASHIR (Pakistan).
> Chair looks back at developments in dispute settlement in 2011
In a speech delivered on 13 March 2012, H.E. Elin Østebø Johansen looked back at developments in the WTO’s dispute settlement system in 2011 during her chairmanship of the Dispute Settlement Body.
> DSB Developments in 2010
Search Documents Online
DSB documents use the code WT/DSB/* (where * takes additional values)
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> quick help with downloading
> comprehensive help on Documents Online
- Minutes of Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) meetings (Document code WT/DSB/M/*)
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- Annual reports of the DSB (document code WT/DSB/* and keyword “Annual report”) > search
- Annual overview of the state of play of WTO disputes
Addendum to the DSB annual report. Reflects the state of play of WTO disputes from 1 January 1995 to a given date each year. In table format, allowing the reader to identify the main stages of the dispute settlement process relating to each case and the relevant documents issued. (document code WT/DSB/* and keyword “Overview of the State of Play of WTO Disputes”) > search
> See also: cases update, above |
The Appellate Body > back to top
The permanent seven-member Appellate Body is set up by the Dispute Settlement Body and broadly represents the range of WTO membership. Members of the Appellate Body have four-year terms. They have to be individuals with recognized standing in the field of law and international trade, not affiliated with any government.
New negotiations on the Dispute Settlement Understanding > back to top
A 1994 Ministerial Decision says dispute settlement rules should be reviewed by 1 January 1999. The review started in the Dispute Settlement Body in 1997. The deadline was extended to 31 July 1999, but there was no agreement.
In November 2001, at the Doha Ministerial Conference, member governments agreed to negotiate to improve and clarify the Dispute Settlement Understanding. These negotiations take place in special sessions of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB). Current chairperson of DSB Special Sessions.
- The 1994 Ministerial Decision (Download in pdf format (1 page; 31KB)).
- Briefing notes on DSU negotiations prepared prior to Cancún and Hong Kong Ministerials
- The Doha Ministerial Declaration, November 2001
- Explanation of the Doha Ministerial Declaration
- Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration
Search Documents Online
DSU negotiations documents use the code TN/DS/* (where * takes additional values)
These links open a new window: allow a moment for the results to appear.
> quick help with downloading
> comprehensive help on Documents Online
- Reports by the Chairman to the Trade Negotiations Committee (Document code TN/DS/* and keyword “Report by the Chairman”) > search
- Minutes of the Special Sessions (Document code TN/DS/M/*) > search
- Working documents of the DSU negotiations (Document code TN/DS/W/*) > search
- The DSB decision to extend the review deadline, December 1998 (Document code WT/DSB/M/52) > search
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The disputes > back to top
A web page exists for each of the disputes brought to the WTO. The search facilities below provide links to these pages.
Buy the book: Dispute Settlement Reports from Cambridge University Press (co-publisher). This is the only WTO-authorized paginated version.
Links > back to top
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