WTO Dispute Settlement Mechanism

- WTO is a rule-based organization.
- Members constantly have disagreements on trade measures taken by others.
- If members are unable to reach a mutually agreed solution concerning these disagreements, they can submit them to further procedures to obtain rulings on the consistency of the challenged measures with WTO agreements and resolve their disputes.
- As of 31 December 2023, WTO members referred 621 disputes to the Dispute Settlement Body, of which around 350 have gone forward to adjudication by panels (and possibly the Appellate Body).
- It is unquestionably one of – if not the – most active international adjudicatory systems in the world. And it still operates faster than any other.
- There is a high compliance rate in adjudicated disputes;