WT/DS522/15  
 
3 October  2018 
(18-6078) Page: 1/8 
  Original: English  
 
CANADA – MEASURES CO NCERNING TRADE IN CO MMERCIAL AIRCRAFT  
COMMUNICATION FROM T HE PANEL  
The following communication, dated 24 September 2018 , was received from the Chairperson of the 
Panel with the request that it be circulated  to the Dispute Settlement Body . 
 
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Paragraph 2(5) of the Working Procedures for the Panel proceedings in the dispute Canada – 
Measures Concerning Trade in Commercial Aircraft provides:  
 
The Panel shall circulate its Working Procedures and  Timetable and any amendments 
thereto to WTO Members through the DS document series for this dispute.  
 
Based on the foregoing, please find enclosed the Working Procedures adopted by the Panel on 
9 March 2018.  
 
I would be grateful if you would circulate this document  to the DSB.  
 WT/DS522/15  
 
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  WORKING PROCEDURES OF THE PANEL  
 
 
Adopted on 9 March 2018  
 
General  
 
1. (1) In this proceeding, the Panel shall follow the relevant provisions of the Understanding 
on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes ("DSU "). In addition, the 
following Working Procedures apply.   
(2) The Panel reserves the right to modify these procedures as necessary, after consultation 
with the parties.  
Confidentiality  
2. (1) The deliberations of the Panel and the documents submitted to it  shall be kept 
confidential. T he parties and third parties shall treat as confidential information  that is 
submitted to the Panel , including but not limited to information that is designated as 
confidential by the party submitting it.   
(2) Nothing in the D SU or in these Working Procedures shall preclude a party or third party 
from disclosing statements of its own positions to the public.  
(3) If a party submits a confidential version of its written submissions to the Panel, it shall 
also, upon request of a Member, provide a non -confidential summary of the information 
contained in its submissions that could be disclosed to the public.  
(4) Upon request, the Panel may adopt appropriate additional procedures for the treatment 
and handling of business confidenti al information and highly sensitive business information 
after consultation with the parties.  
(5)  The Panel shall circulate its Working Procedures and Timetable and any amendments 
thereto to WTO Members through the DS document series for this dispute.  
Submissions  
 
3. (1) Before the first substantive meeting of the Panel with the parties, each party shall 
submit a  written submission in which it  presents the facts of the case and its arguments, in 
accordance with the timetable adopted by the Panel.  
(2) Each party shall also submit to the Panel, prior to the second substantive meeting of 
the Panel, a written rebuttal, in accordance with the timetable adopted by the Panel.  
(3) Each third party that chooses to make a written submission prior to the first subs tantive 
meeting  of the Panel with the parties shall do so in accordance with the timetable adopted by 
the Panel.  
(4) The Panel may invite the parties to make  additional submissions in the course of the 
proceeding.  The Panel may also invite the thi rd parties to make additional submissions up 
until and including the first substantive meeting.  
Preliminary rulings  
4. (1) The following procedures apply to any request for preliminary ruling in this dispute:  
a. Any party shall submit a request for a preliminary ruling at the earliest possible opportunity 
and in any event no later than in its first written submission to the Panel. If the 
Complainant requests such a ruling, the Respondent shall submit its response to the 
request in its first written submission. If the Respondent requests such a ruling, the 
Complainant shall submit its response to the request prior to the first substantive meeting   WT/DS522/15  
 
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  of the Panel, at a time to be determined by the Panel in light of the request. This procedure 
does not apply in respect of the request for a preliminary ruling submitted by Canada on 
24 October 2017. Additional exceptions to this procedure shall be granted upon a showing 
of good cause.  
b. The Panel may issue a preliminary ruling on the issues raised in such a preliminary ruling 
request before, during or after the first substantive meeting , or the Panel may defer a  
ruling on the issues raised by a preliminary ruling until it issues its Repor t to the parties.  
c. In the event that the Panel finds it appropriate to issue a preliminary ruling prior to the 
issuance of its Report, the Panel may provide  reasons for the ruling at the time that the 
ruling is made,  or subsequently in its Report.  
d. Any requ est for such a preliminary ruling by the respondent prior to the first meeting, and 
any subsequent submissions of the parties in relation thereto prior to the first meeting, 
shall be  served on all third parties. The Panel may provide all third parties with  an 
opportunity to provide comments on any such request, either in their submissions as 
provided for in the timetable or separately. Any preliminary ruling issued by the Panel 
prior to the first substantive meeting on whether certain measures or claims are  properly 
before the Panel shall be communicated to all third parties.   
e. The Panel may, upon request of either party , transmit any such preliminary ruling to the 
Dispute Settlement Body for circulation prior to the circulation of the Report. Any 
preliminary  ruling circulated prior to the issuance of the Report shall become  an integral 
part of the Report. Such circulation shall be without prejudice to the parties' right to make 
requests for the review of precise aspects  of any preliminary ruling during the in terim 
review stage.  
(2) This procedure is without prejudice to the parties' right to request other types of 
procedural rulings in the course of the proceeding, and to the procedures that the Panel may 
follow with respect to such requests.  
Evidence  
5. (1) Each party shall submit all evidence to the Panel no later than during the first 
substantive meeting, except evidence necessary for purposes of rebuttal, or evidence 
necessary for answers to questions or comments on answers provided by the other party. 
Additional exceptions may be granted upon a showing of good cause.  
(2) If any new evidence has been admitted upon a showing of good cause, the Panel shall 
accord the other party an appropriate period of time to comment on the new evidence 
submitted.  
6. (1) Where the  original language of an exhibit  or portion thereof is not a WTO working 
language, the submitting party or third party shall simultaneously submit a translation of the 
exhibit or relevant portion into the WTO working language of the submission . The Panel may 
grant reasonable extensions of time for the translation of exhibits upon a showing of good 
cause.  
(2) Any objection as to the accuracy of a translation shall be raised promptly  in writing, 
preferably no later than the next submission  or meetin g (whichever occurs earlier) following 
the submission which contains the translation in question. Any objection shall be accompanied 
by a detailed explanation of the grounds for the  objection and an alternative translation.  
7. (1) To facilitate the mainte nance of the record of the dispute and maximize the clarity of 
submissions, each party and third party shall sequentially number its exhibits throughout the 
course of the dispute, indicating the submitting Member and the number of each exhibit on its 
cover  page. For example, exhibits submitted by Brazil  should be numbered BRA-1, BRA-2, 
etc. If the last exhibit in connection with the first submission was numbered BRA-5, the first 
exhibit in connection with the next submission thus would be numbered BRA-6.  WT/DS522/15  
 
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  (2) Each party shall provide a n updated  list of exhibits  (in Word or Excel format) together 
with each of its submissions, oral statements, and responses to questions.  
(3) If a party submits a document that has already been submitted as an exhibit by the 
other party, it should explain why it is submitting that document again.  
Editorial Guide  
8. In order to facilitate the work of the Panel, each party and third party is invited to make its 
submissions in accordance with the WTO Editorial Guide for Panel Submis sions (electronic copy 
provided).  
Questions  
 
9. The Panel may pose questions to the parties and third parties at any time, including:  
a. Prior to any meeting, the Panel may send written  questions , or a list of topics it intends 
to pursue in questioning ora lly in the course of a meeting. The Panel may ask different or 
additi onal questions at the meeting.  
b. The Panel may put questions to the parties and third parties orally in the course of  a 
meeting, and in writing following the meeting, as provided for in paragraph s 15 and 21  below.   
Substantive meetings  
 
10. The Panel shall meet in closed session. Upon request, the Panel may adopt additional 
procedures for the recording and broadcasting to the public of the parties' opening statements 
delivered during  substantive meeting s with the Panel . 
11. The parties shall be present at the meetings only when invited by the Panel to appear before 
it.  
12. (1) Each party has the right to determine the c omposition of its own delegation when 
meeting with the Panel.  
(2) Each party shall  have the responsibility for all members of its delegation and shall 
ensure that each member of its delegation acts in accordance with the DSU and these Working 
Procedures, particularly with regard to the confidentiality of the proceeding and the 
submissions of the parties and third parties.  
13. Each party shall provide to the Panel the list of members of its delegation no later than 
5.00 p.m. (Geneva time ) three working day s preceding the first day of each meeting with the Panel.   
14. A request for interpretation by any party should be made to the Panel as early as possible, 
preferably at the organizational stage, to allow sufficient time to ensure availability of interprete rs. 
15. The first substantive meeting of the Panel with the parties shall be conducted as follows:  
a. The Panel shall invite Brazil to make an opening statement to present its case first. 
Subsequently, the Panel shall invite Canada to present its point of view. Before each party 
takes the floor, it shall provide the Panel and other participants at the meeting with a 
provisional written version of its statement. In the event that interpretation is needed, each 
party shall provide additional copies for the in terpreters.  
b. Each party should avoid lengthy repetition of the arguments in its submissions. Each 
party is invited to limit the length of its opening statement to 75 minutes. If either party 
considers that it requires more time for its opening statement , it should inform the Panel and 
the other party at least 10 days prior to the meeting, and it should also provide, at the same 
time, an estimate of the length of its statement. The Panel will accord equal time to both 
parties for their statements.  WT/DS522/15  
 
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  c. After the conclusion of the opening statements, the Panel shall give each party the 
opportunity to make comments or ask the other party questions.  
d. The Panel may subsequently pose questions to the parties.  
e. Once the questioning has concluded, the Panel sh all afford each party an opportunity to 
present a brief closing statement, with Brazil presenting its statement first. Before each party 
takes the floor, it shall provide the Panel and other participants at the meeting with a 
provisional written version of  its closing statement , if available . 
f. Following the meeting:  
i. Each party shall submit a final written version of its opening statement no later than 
5.00 p.m. (Geneva time) on the first working day following the meeting.  At the same 
time, each party shou ld also submit a final written version of any prepared closing 
statement that it delivered at the meeting.   
ii. Each party shall send in writing, within the timeframe established by the Panel prior 
to the end of the meeting, any questions to the other party to  which it wishes to receive 
a response in writing.  
iii. The Panel shall send in writing, within the timeframe established by the Panel prior to 
the end of the meeting , any questions to the parties to which it wishes to receive a 
response in writing.  
iv. Each part y shall respond in writing to the questions from the Panel, and to any 
questions posed by the other party, within the time -frame established by the Panel 
prior to the end of the meeting . 
16. The second substantive meeting of the Panel with the parties shall be conducted in the same 
manner as the first substantive meeting with the Panel, except that Canada shall be given the 
opportunity to present its oral statement first. If Canada  chooses not to avail itself of that right, it 
shall inform the Panel and the other party no later than 5.00pm (Geneva time) three working days 
day prior to the meeting. In that case, Brazil  shall present its opening statement first, followed by 
Canada . The party that presented its opening statement first shall present its closing statement first.  
Third party session   
 
17. The third parties shall be present at the meetings only when invited by the Panel to appear 
before it.  
18. (1) Each third party has the  right to determine the composition of its own delegation  when 
meeting with the Panel.  
(2) Each third party shall have the responsibility for all members of its delegation and shall 
ensure that each member of its delegation acts in accordance with the DSU  and these Working 
Procedures, particularly with regard to the confidentiality of the proceeding and the 
submissions of the parties and third parties.  
19. A request for interpretation by any third party should be made to the Panel as early as 
possible, pr eferably upon receiving the working procedures and timetable for the proceeding, to 
allow sufficient time to ensure availability of interpreters.  
20. (1) Each third party may present its views orally during a session of the first substantive 
meeting with t he parties set aside for that purpose.  
(2) Each third party shall indicate to the Panel whether it intends to make an oral statement 
during the third party session,  along with the list of members of its delegation, in advance of 
this session and no later than 5.00  p.m. (Geneva time) three working days preceding the first 
day of each meeting with the Panel.  WT/DS522/15  
 
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  21. The third -party session shall be conducted as follows:  
a. All parties and third parties may be present during the entirety of this session.  
b. The Panel shall first hear the oral statements of the third parties, who shall speak in 
alphabetical order. Each third party making an oral statement at the third -party session 
shall provide the Panel and other participants with a provisional written version o f its 
statement before it takes the floor . In the event that interpretation is needed, a third party 
shall provide additional copies for the interpreters.  
c. Each third party should limit the length of its  statement to 15 minutes, and avoid repetition 
of the arguments already in its submission . If a third party considers that it requires more 
time for its opening statement, it should inform the Panel and the parties at least 10 days 
prior to the meeting, and it should also provide, at the same time, an est imate of the 
length of its statement. The Panel will accord equal time to all third parties for their 
statements.  
d. After the third parties have made their statements, the parties shall be given the 
opportunity to pose questions to any third party for cla rification on any matter raised in 
that third party's submission or statement.  
e. The Panel may subsequently pose questions to any third party.  
f. Following the third -party session:  
i. Each third party shall submit the final written version of its oral s tatement, no later 
than 5.00  p.m. (Geneva time) on the first working day following the meeting.  
ii. Each party may send in writing, within the timeframe to be established by the Panel 
prior to the end of the meeting, any questions to a third party or part ies to which it 
wishes to receive a response in writing.  
iii. The Panel may send in writing, within the timeframe to be established by the Panel 
prior to the end of the meeting , any questions to a third party or parties to which it 
wishes to receive a res ponse in writing.  
iv. Each third party choosing to do so shall respond in writing to written questions from 
the Panel or a party, within a timeframe established by the Panel prior to the end of 
the meeting . 
 
Descriptive part and executive summaries  
 
22. The description of the arguments of the parties and third parties in the descriptive part of the 
Panel report shall consist  of executive summaries provided by the parties and third parties, which 
shall be annexed  as addenda to the report. These executive s ummaries shall not in any way serve 
as a substitute for the submissions of the parties and third parties in the Panel's examination of the 
case.  
23. Each party shall submit two integrated executive summaries. The first integrated executive 
summary shall s ummarize the facts and arguments as presented to the Panel in the party's first 
written submission, its first oral statement, and where possible, its responses to questions following 
the first substantive meeting . The second integrated executive summary sh all summarize its second 
written submission, its second oral statement, and where possible, its responses to the second set 
of questions and comments thereon following the second substantive meeting. The timing of the 
submission of these two integrated exe cutive summaries shall be indicated in the timetable adopted 
by the Panel.   
24. Each integrated executive summary shall be limited to no more than 15 pages.   WT/DS522/15  
 
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  25. The Panel may request the parties and third parties to provide executive summaries of facts 
and arguments presented in any other submissions to the Panel for which a deadline may not be 
specified in the timetable.  
26. Each third party shall submit an integrated executive summary of its arguments as presented 
in its written submission and statemen t in accordance with the timetable adopted by the Panel. This 
integrated executive summary may also include a summary of responses to questions, if relevant. 
The executive summary to be provided by each third party shall not exceed six  pages. If a third -
party submission and/or oral statement does not exceed six pages in total, this may serve as the 
executive summary of that third party's arguments.  
Interim review  
 
27. Following issuance of the interim report, each party may submit a written request to revie w 
precise aspects of the interim report and request a further meeting with the Panel, in accordance 
with the timetable adopted by the Panel. The right to request such a meeting shall be exercised no 
later than at the time the written request for review is submitted.  
28. In the event that no further meeting with the Panel is requested, each party may submit 
written comments on the other party's written request for review, in accordance with the timetable 
adopted by the Panel. Such comments shall be limited to commenting on the other party's written 
request for review.  
Interim and Final Report  
29. The interim report, as well as the final report prior to its official circulation, shall be kept 
strictly confidential and shall not be disclosed.  
Service of docum ents 
 
30. The following procedures regarding service of documents apply  to all documents submitted by 
parties and third parties in the course of the proceeding:  
a. Each party and third party  shall submit all documents to the Panel by submitting  them to 
the DS Registry (dsregistry@wto.org ), preferably in Microsoft Word format and PDF 
format, either on a USB key, CD -ROM a DVD or as an e -mail attachment.  
b. The electronic version of documents shall constitute the offic ial version for the purposes 
of the record of the dispute.   
c. All e-mails from the parties to the Panel shall be addressed to DSRegistry@wto.org , and 
copied to other WTO Secretariat staff whose e -mail addresses have been provided to the 
parties in the course of t he proceeding. If a CD -ROM/ DVD or USB  key is provided, it shall 
be filed with the DS Registry.  
d. In addition, each party and third party  is invited to submit all documents through the 
Digital Dispute Settlement Registry (DDSR) within 24 hours following the deadline for 
submitting the documents to the DS Registry.  If the parties or third parties have any 
questions or technical difficulties relating to the DDSR, they are invited to consult the 
DDSR User Guide (electronic copy provided) or contact the DS Registry at 
DSRegistry@wto.org . Within the same deadline, each party shall provide the DS Registry 
(Office No. 2047) with a paper copy of any document submitted to the Panel.  
e. Each party shall serve any document submitted to the Panel directly on the other party. 
Each party shall, in addition, serve any submissions  in advance of the first substantive 
meeting with the Panel directly on the third parties. Each third party shall serve any 
document submitted to the Panel directly on the parties and on all other third parties. A 
party or third party may submit  its documents to another party or third party in electronic  
format only,  either on a USB key, CD -ROM, a DVD or as an e -mail attachment, except as 
otherwise provided under additional procedures for the treatment and handling of business 
confidential information and highly sensitive business information.  Each party and third WT/DS522/15  
 
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  party shall confirm, in an e -mail, that copies have been served on the parties and third 
parties, as appropriate, at the time it provides each document to the Panel.  
f. Each party and third party  shall submit  its documents to the DS R egistry and serve  copies 
on the other party (and third parties where appropriate) by 5.00  p.m. (Geneva time) on 
the due dates established by the Panel.   
g. As a general rule, all communications from the Panel to the parties and third parties will 
be via e -mail. 
Correction of clerical errors in submissions  
31. The Panel may grant leave to a party or third party to correct clerical errors in any of its 
submissions (including paragraph numbering and typographical mistakes). Any such request should 
identify the nature of the errors to be corrected, and should be ma de promptly following the filing 
of the submission in question.  
 
 
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