WTO disputes have a major impact on countries and populations. Yet, their importance, relative merits and correct or debatable outcomes are discussed only in small circles. It can sometimes be difficult to follow WTO (legal) discussions.
 

Every year since 2008, the Graduate Institute’s Centre for Trade and Economic Integration organises an "Update on WTO Dispute Settlement". Gathering the outgoing chairs of the Dispute Settlement Understanding and the Appellate Body (AB), the first part of the event provides an overview of the panel and AB reports issued during the previous year. This is followed by a round-table discussion, during which academics, legal practitioners and users of the dispute settlement system can exchange views and critique developments.

 

The 9th Annual Update on Dispute Settlement took place on the same day as the publication of the AB Annual Report for 2015. For the first time, the event was live-streamed on the internet; The recording is available below. This is a small step to bring these debates closer to the people outside Geneva.