ABSTRACT
The WTO Agreement, which came into force in 1995, is inextricably linked to the umbilical cord of the GATT. With some euphoria, the first WTO Director General has described dispute resolution as 'the WTO's most individual contribution to the stability of the global economy because it helps the global community's ability to resolve highly-charged disputes on the trade area'. The USA and the EU have well-trained staff, based in Geneva, with sole responsibility to handle trade disputes. For developing nations, reliance is usually placed on the retention of private lawyers whose fees are not known to be on the modest side. Two initial steps have been taken to alleviate the problems relating to costs. There is a United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) initiative whereby lawyers are encouraged to take on WTO cases for developing countries, free of charge. Reform of dispute settlement system does not appear to be a priority on the negotiating agenda of developing countries.
