Most proposals for the reform of the dispute settlement mechanism of the WTO concentrate on the formal process. However, the optimal framework for most Members – especially developing and less developed Members – and most matters of trade concern would be a strengthened conciliation and mediation framework, as an alternative or parallel procedure.

GenevaTradeLaw.com proposes an ‘off-campus’ facility as an early harvest element of reform to ensure the relevance of dispute settlement to all Members.