The Stages in a Typical WTO Dispute

This chapter explains the various stages of a WTO dispute. In principle, there are two main ways to settle a dispute once a complaint has been filed in the WTO: either the parties find a mutually agreed solution, particularly during the phase of bilateral consultations; or adjudication takes place, followed by the subsequent implementation of the panel and Appellate Body reports, which are binding upon the parties once adopted by the DSB.