The Challenges of WTO Law: Strategies for Developing Country Adaptation

World Trade Review, July 2006

20 Pages Posted: 10 Jan 2006 Last revised: 23 Feb 2010

See all articles by Gregory Shaffer

Gregory Shaffer

Georgetown University Law Center

Date Written: February 22, 2010

Abstract

Although developing countries vary significantly in terms of trading profiles, they generally face three primary challenges if they are to participate effectively in the WTO dispute settlement system. These challenges are: (i) a relative lack of legal expertise in WTO law; (ii) constrained financial resources, including for the hiring of outside counsel; and (iii) fear of political and economic pressure. We can roughly categorize these challenges as constraints of law, money and politics. This article explores various strategies for responding to these challenges, none of which involves a modification of the rules of the WTO's Dispute Settlement Understanding.

Keywords: WTO, developing countries, international trade law, bias, expertise, legal capacity

Suggested Citation

Shaffer, Gregory, The Challenges of WTO Law: Strategies for Developing Country Adaptation (February 22, 2010). World Trade Review, July 2006, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=873938

Gregory Shaffer (Contact Author)

Georgetown University Law Center ( email )

600 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
1,368
Abstract Views
5,940
Rank
26,726
PlumX Metrics