What is the WTO Dispute Settlement System?
The WTO dispute settlement system is the backbone of today’s multilateral trad- ing regime. It was created by Member governments during the Uruguay Round in the conviction that a stronger, more binding system to settle disputes would help to ensure that the WTO’s carefully negotiated trading rules are respected and en- forced.
What is the objective of the dispute settlement mechanism?
Article 3.7 of the DSU states that in the absence of a mutually agreed solution, the first objective of the dispute settlement mechanism is usually to secure the withdrawal of the measures found inconsistent with WTO law.
How has the dispute settlement system changed over the years?
The negative consensus rule which provides certainty in access to the dispute settlement system as well as the introduction of an appellate process to ensure greater consistency have significantly changed the nature of the dispute settlement system.
What is the current WTO system?
The current WTO system builds on, and adheres to, the principles for the management of disputes applied under Articles XXII and XXIII of GATT 1947 (Article 3.1 of the DSU).
