GATT

This database compiles information on GATT dispute settlement decisions and procedures, based on the GATT disputes: 1948-1995 publication (2018). It allows to search and visualise information relating to GATT disputes, including main documents such as consultation requests and reports, adjudicators, disputing parties, claims and defences, procedural basis, and products at issue. It contains a one-page summary of key dates, documents and other information relating to each GATT dispute.  The resources section provides access to a compilation of GATT dispute settlement procedures as these evolved over the decades, as well as other relevant GATT documents of historical value.  See the full list of GATT disputes here.   



A dynamic version of the pyramid chart below, filterable according to different criteria, is available here.


A. Overall number of GATT disputes, by procedural step, 1948-1995

Pursued as WTO disputes 14 Follow-up GATT disputes 10/317 Follow-up disputes: Mutually agreed solutions 54 Withdrawals 40 Other outcomes: Reports adopted 96 The Council “took note” 2 No consensus on whether adopted* 2 Considered, but not adopted 28 Not considered for adoption 9 Reports not adopted 41 Adopted? Reports issued 136 Panels and working groups established 158 40 26 (No dispute settled through these procedures) Tokyo Round antidumping and subsidies codes Conciliation Requests for consultations 317 Pursued as WTO disputes 14 Follow-up GATT disputes 10/317 Follow-up disputes: Mutually agreed solutions 54 Withdrawals 40 Other outcomes: Reports adopted 96 The Council “took note” 2 No consensus on whether adopted* 2 Considered, but not adopted 28 Not considered for adoption 9 Reports not adopted 41 Adopted ? Reports issued 136 Panels and working groups established 158 Requests for consultations 317 40 26 (No dispute settled through these procedures) Tokyo Round antidumping and subsidies codes Conciliation
* The parties to the dispute differed on the status of the report, which remained unresolved. (Follow up to the Panel Report in European Economic Community – Payments and Subsidies Paid to Processors and Producers of Oilseeds and Related Animal-Feed Proteins, DS28/R (GD/262). See also the minutes of the GATT Council of 19 June 1992, document C/M/257 p. 28)

B. Most frequent users of the GATT dispute settlement system, 1948-1995

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C. Number of disputes reviewed, by type of adjudicating body, by five-year periods

Publications

Additional publications on GATT Dispute Settlement that may be of interest.

GATT - Volume 1: Overview and one-page case summaries
GATT Disputes: 1948-1995
Volume 1: Overview and one-page case summaries
WTO Secretariat
GATT - Volume 2: Dispute Settlement Procedures
GATT Disputes: 1948-1995
Volume 2: Dispute Settlement Procedures
WTO Secretariat
GATT dispute settlement reports - Cambridge
GATT Dispute Settlement Reports (1948-1995)
Disputes Initiated in 1948–1993
WTO Secretariat
GATT Analytical Index: Guide to GATT Law and Practice 1947-1994, 6th Edition
GATT Analytical Index: Guide to GATT Law and Practice 1947-1994
6th Edition in 2 volumes
GATT Secretariat
View more publications

Latest changes

This section describes the latest changes that have been introduced to the database based on comments received from different sources. Please note that the PDF with Volume 1 available for download in this website has not yet been updated.  

GD/317 added

Added a new dispute: Spain - Type Approval of Heating Radiators and Electrical Medical Equipment (request for consultations by the United States)

GD/13 edited

Corrected a typo in the dispute title.

GD/164 edited

Changed the short title of this dispute to "US - Softwood Lumber I" because GD/258 is US - Softwood Lumber II.

See list of all changes