The Effectiveness of the Dispute Settlement System in the World Trade Organization More Than Three Decades After its Implementation

Abstract

This research aims to study the effectiveness of the WTO dispute settlement system after more than three decades of its implementation, by analyzing its legal structure, procedural mechanisms, and practical practices. A comparative analytical approach was used to evaluate the system's performance in addressing international trade disputes between member states and its commitment to the principles of fairness, impartiality, and transparency. The research concluded that the system has effectively contributed to establishing stability in the multilateral trading system, but in recent years it has faced institutional and political challenges that have disrupted some of its basic functions, particularly the suspension of the Appellate Body since 2019. The importance of the research lies in highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the current system and proposing reform visions that ensure its sustainability and future effectiveness.