Launch of the Appellate Body Annual Report for 2018
The Appellate Body has issued its 2018 Annual Report summarizing the activities of the Appellate Body and its Secretariat over the past year. At an event to mark the launch of the report on 28 May, 2018 Appellate Body chair Ujal Singh Bhatia said the Appellate Body’s docket continued to grow with increasingly complex appeals while at the same time operating with fewer members. Former Appellate Body member Peter Van den Bossche also delivered farewell remarks at the event.
In presenting the report, Mr. Bhatia noted that the Appellate Body circulated nine Appellate Body reports concerning six matters in 2018 while also assisting an arbitrator in determining the reasonable period of time for implementation in one dispute. In addition, 12 panel reports concerning 11 matters were appealed in 2018.
“In sum, the heavy workload of the Appellate Body continues unabated,” he said. “These indicators would appear to suggest that WTO Members consider the appellate system to be a key pillar of a robust and effective dispute settlement mechanism.”
However, Mr. Bhatia also noted the current “mood swing” regarding the Appellate Body as reflected in calls for reform. While not denying the need for reform, he stressed that good solutions will depend on the right questions being asked.
“Members should think carefully about what kind of system they want, what its role and reach should be, and what core principles should govern its operation,” he declared. ”Only then will Members be able to engage in long-lasting reform projects.”
Source: wto.org
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