WTO Dispute Settlement Mechanism
------An Analysis of the DSU in Positivism
by
Chengwei, Liu
Foreword
This book is a systematically selected compilation of Reports issued by various panels and the standing Appellate Body, then adopted by the DSB under the WTO jurisdiction by the end of May 2002, in category of subjects such as causes of action, initiation of panel proceedings, function of panels, rules of evidence and special rules governing anti-dumping disputes, etc., which are in most cases ruled as “preliminary issues” or “procedural objections”. However, this book is not intended to be exhaustive. It deals only with issues in dispute settlement proceedings under the WTO jurisprudence that the author considers the more important, where such rules are mainly concerned as Art. XXIII of the GATT 1994; Arts. 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 21.5, 23, 26 of the DSU; Arts. 17.4, 17.5, 17.6 of the AD Agreement and Arts. 31, 32 of the Vienna Convention and so on.
Moreover, this book is intended to be descriptive and positive rather than prescriptive and theoretical. Most of the author’s analysis benefits much from the precise and logically organized reports by panels and the Appellate Body, administered by the DSB under the WTO jurisdiction. It must be made clear that these reports do not constitute binding “subsequent practice” referred to in Article 31 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, nor do they operate as stare decisis, panels and the Appellate Body are therefore not bound by past reports. Nevertheless, it does be the case demonstrated by the DSB practice that, relevant reasoning in a particular case has been cited or followed frequently by another panel or confirmed by the Appellate Body in subsequent cases.
As ruled by the Appellate Body in Japan-Taxes on Alcoholic Beverages (DS44), “[a]dopted panel reports are an important part of the GATT acquis. They are often considered by subsequent panels. They create legitimate expectations among WTO Members, and, therefore, should be taken into account where they are relevant to any dispute”. Furthermore, a panel could nevertheless find useful guidance in the reasoning of an unadopted panel report when it considers relevant. More importantly, as stated in the letter with which the Appellate Body conveyed in the February of 1996 its Working Procedures for Appellate Review to the DSB for information, “… it is also important to ensure consistency and coherence in our decision-making, which is to the advantage of every WTO Member and the overall multilateral trading system we all share”.
There is no doubt that, in line with the pragmatic evolution of the GATT dispute settlement system, the progressive clarification of a number of issues that are not precisely regulated in the DSU and the further development of the WTO dispute settlement procedures, will gradually evolve after having been tested and progressively clarified and improved in concrete dispute settlement cases.
Considering all of this, the author complete this book with serious-minded exploring examination and great diligence, bearing in mind that it is therefore practical and of great significance for WTO Members to be informed of the valuable rulings in those reports issued by panels and the Appellate Body in particular cases.
List of Abbreviations
ATC Agreement on Textile and Clothing
BISD Basic Instruments and Selected Documents (published by GATT)
DSU Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing
the Settlement of Disputes
DSB Dispute Settlement Body
EC The European Communities
GATS General Agreement on Trade in Services
GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
IMF International Monetary Fund
PGE Permanent Group of Experts (in the SCM Agreement)
SCM Subsidies and Countervailing Measures
SG Agreement on Safeguards
SPS Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
TBT Technical Barriers to Trade
TMB Textiles Monitoring Body
TRIMS Trade-related Investment Measures
TRIPS Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights
TSB Textiles Surveillance Body
WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization
WTO World Trade Organization
Table of Contents
Chapter I Trend towards “Judicialization”:
A Rule-oriented Dispute Settlement System
Chapter II Causes of Action before the DSB:
Art. XXIII of the GATT 1994
Section One Right to Pursue a Proceeding under the WTO
I The Concept of Nullification or Impairment
II The Standing Issue before the DSB
审计署直属机关纪委关于学习《中国共产党党内监督条例（试行）》和《中国共产党纪律处分条例》的通知
中共审计署直属机关纪委
审计署直属机关纪委关于学习《中国共产党党内监督条例（试行）》和《中国共产党纪律处分条例》的通知
审直纪发〔２００４〕５号
署机关各单位、各派出审计局党支部（党总支）：
最近，党中央颁发了《中国共产党党内监督条例（试行）》和《中国共产党纪律处分条例》（以下简称《条例》），并发出通知，要求全党一定要认真学习、广泛宣传、严格执行。现就署机关学习《条例》提出如下意见：
一、充分认识《条例》的重大意义
《条例》是两部十分重要的党内法规，它以邓小平理论和“三个代表”重要思想为指导，依据党章和宪法、法律，结合党的建设的实践，以党内法规的形式，回答了党在新的历史时期，严肃党的纪律、发展党内民主、纯洁党的组织、保持党的先进性、维护党的团结统一、保障党员民主权利等一系列重大问题。《条例》的颁发实施，是加强党的自身建设的重要举措，对推动反腐倡廉工作的深入开展，具有重要意义；尤其是《党内监督条例》的实施，对党始终做到立党为公、执政为民，全面推进党的建设新的伟大工程，必将产生重大而深远的影响。
二、要全面熟悉《条例》基本内容
《条例》是全党各级党组织和全体党员都必须严格遵守执行的规则。要遵守执行《条例》，就要认真学习《条例》，使署机关处以上党员领导干部精通《条例》，全体党员熟悉《条例》，全面了解《条例》的基本内容。在此基础上，要侧重理解掌握以下内容：
（一）要了解《条例》的特点。《条例》结合新的历史时期党的建设面临的新情况和新问题，在严肃党的纪律、保障党员民主权利、加强党内监督等方面都有新的突破，体现了我党敢于正视和解决党内各种矛盾和问题、敢于面对和克服前进道路上各种困难和风险的决心和信心。署机关纪委在署机关党委网页上编发了《纪律监督条例学习资料》，以帮助大家加深对《条例》的理解。
（二）要了解党组织的监督职责和党员的权利。深刻理解作为共产党员在加强党风廉政建设，在解决好提高党的领导水平和执政水平、提高拒腐防变和抵御风险能力两大历史性课题中的责任。
（三）要深刻理解严格的纪律是党的战斗力体现。要把学习贯彻《条例》同严格执行审计纪律结合起来，认真学习并坚决执行审计署最近颁发的《审计机关审计项目质量控制办法》，联系审计工作实际，加深对严格的审计纪律是提高审计工作质量和水平的重要政治保障的理解。
三、学习时间和方式
（一）学习《条例》主要以支部组织、个人自学为主。各支部可于4月份前安排一定时间集中组织学习一次，组织大家对重点理解和掌握的内容进行座谈讨论。
（二）署机关纪委在署机关党委网页上开展学习《条例》和《审计机关审计项目质量控制办法》有奖答题和知识竞赛活动，欢迎全体干部职工参加。具体活动安排另行通知。
中共审计署直属机关纪委
２００４年３月４日
