The GATT Disputes Database is a comprehensive repository maintained by the World Trade Organization (WTO) that catalogs all trade disputes that occurred under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) from 1948 to 1995. This database serves as a resource for understanding the evolution of dispute settlement in the multilateral trading system and provides insights into the legal and procedural aspects of GATT dispute resolution.
Key Data Components:
Dispute Summaries: Each dispute is documented with a one-page summary detailing key dates, documents, and other pertinent information. The summaries include the dispute's title, the parties involved, the legal basis for the dispute, and the outcome.
Adjudicators: Information on the individuals who served as panelists or adjudicators in GATT disputes is available. This includes their names, roles, and the specific disputes in which they participated.
Reports: The database provides access to the full text of GATT dispute settlement reports. Users can filter these reports by various criteria, including adoption status and procedural basis.
Contracting Parties: Profiles of GATT contracting parties are available, listing their participation in disputes, the number of disputes initiated, and their roles as complainants, respondents, or third parties.
Procedural Legal Basis: The database outlines the legal provisions under which disputes were initiated, such as Articles XXII and XXIII of GATT 1947. It also covers procedures under the Tokyo Round codes and other plurilateral agreements.
Products at Issue: Disputes are categorized based on the types of products involved, including agricultural and non-agricultural sector.
The database provides options to export dispute information in various formats, including CSV and Excel, facilitating further analysis and integration into other systems.