1995 Annual Report - WTO Dispute Settlement Process WTO Dispute Settlement Process Under DSU procedures, a government must start dispute settlement by seeking consultations.
Consultations give a chance to settle problems by discussion, and to find out more facts.
The complaining government generally must wait 60 days after a consultation request, before taking the next step and requesting establishment of a panel. Special shorter timetables are provided for disputes concerning perishable goods and other cases of urgency, and some complaints by developing countries. A panel request must be in writing and must provide specific information on the dispute. The standard terms of reference call for the panel to address the relevant provisions of any covered Uruguay Round agreement cited by the parties to the dispute. Panels are normally composed of three persons, experienced in trade policy and trade law, who normally are not citizens of the disputing parties.