Wednesday, July 5, 2017

A three-day advanced workshop on WTO dispute settlement procedures took place from 3 to 5 July 2017 at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, São Paulo School of Economics, a member of the WTO Chairs Programme. The workshop was organized jointly by the Chairs Programme and the Chair-holder, Professor Vera Thorstensen.
This is the third event on WTO dispute settlement organized by the WTO Chair in Brazil. This workshop focused on recent developments in WTO dispute settlement procedures from a legal practice perspective. The workshop included an overview of the panel and Appellate Body reports issued during the past couple of years and ongoing cases. It also included practical exercises on WTO litigation.
The workshop was attended by over 30 participants, including Brazilian practising lawyers, government officials, private sector associations and academics. Given the litigation focus of the workshop, most participants had a legal background.
The workshop was led by María J. Pereyra, Senior Counsellor, and Daniel Baker, Dispute Settlement Lawyer, from the WTO's Legal Affairs Division, who engaged in lively discussions with the participants. At the end of the workshop, many participants expressed the wish that a similar litigation-oriented activity be organized next year.