A Handbook on the WTO Dispute Settlement System (2^nd Ed., Revised edition)

The WTO dispute settlement system has become one of the most dynamic, effective and successful international dispute settlement systems in the world over the past twenty years. This second edition of A Handbook on the WTO Dispute Settlement System has been compiled by the dispute settlement lawyers of the WTO Secretariat with a view to providing a practice-oriented account of the system. In addition to describing the existing rules and procedures, this accessibly written handbook explains how those rules and procedures have been interpreted by dispute settlement panels and the Appellate Body, and how they have evolved over time. The handbook provides practical information to help various audiences understand the day-to-day operation of the WTO dispute settlement system.

Foreword; Abbreviations; 1. Introduction to the WTO dispute settlement system; 2. Actors in the WTO dispute settlement process; 3. The scope of WTO disputes; 4. The stages in a typical WTO dispute; 5. Compliance with DSB recommendations and rulings; 6. Other procedural issues arising in the WTO dispute settlement proceedings; 7. Alternative to adjudication by panels and the Appellate Body; 8. Developing countries in the WTO dispute settlement system; 9. Ongoing efforts to improve the WTO dispute settlement system; 10. Further information and resources; 11. Annex I: Flow Chart of the WTO Dispute Settlement Process; 12. Annex II: Dispute Settlement Rules; 13. Annex III: Examples of Panel Working Procedures; 14. Annex IV: Examples of Timetable for Panel Proceedings; 15. Annex V: Working Procedures for Appellate Review (WT/AB/WP/6); 16. Annex VI: DSB Practices; 17. Annex VII: Communication from the Director-General on Article 5 of the DSU; 18. Annex VIII: Decision of 5 April 1966 on Procedures under Article XXIII (BISD 14S/18); 19. Annex IX: Decisions of 12 April 1989 on Improvement to the GATT Dispute Settlement Rules and Procedures (BISD 36S/61); 20. Annex X: Historic Development of the WTO Dispute Settlement System; 21. Annex XI: Index of Official Titles and Short Titles of WTO Disputes as of 1 December 2016; 22. Annex XII: WTO Disputes – reports circulates and/or adopted; Index.