DP6020 A Survey of the Literature on the WTO Dispute Settlement System

Author(s):	Henrik Horn, Petros C Mavroidis
Publication Date:	December 2006
Keyword(s):	DSU, WTO dispute settlement
JEL(s):	F13
Programme Areas:	International Trade and Regional Economics
Link to this Page:	cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=6020

This paper surveys the law and economics literature on WTO dispute settlement. As a background, we first briefly lay out main features of the legal framework, and discuss possible roles of a dispute settlement mechanism. We then discuss the two main themes in the empirical literature on dispute settlement: (i) the determinants of participation by members as complainants, respondents and third parties; and (ii) the role of the DS system for the settling of disputes. The paper finally points to a number of areas that are in need of further research.