Dispute Settlement in the WTO: The NGO Perspective

Journal of Law and Society, Volume XXVIII, No 41, Faculty of Law, University of Peshawar, Pakistan, January 2003

14 Pages Posted: 20 Aug 2013 Last revised: 24 Aug 2013

See all articles by Khurshid Iqbal

Khurshid Iqbal

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Judicial Academy; International Islamic University - Department of Law

Date Written: January 1, 2003

Abstract

The article focuses on the role of the NGOs in the dispute settlement process of the WTO. It argues that NGOs participation is underpinned by the emerging norm of participatory democracy. Given the growing expectations about WTO’s accountability, transparency and democratic legitimacy, the NGOs participation could be useful in providing information, expertise and public confidence to the WTO’s dispute settlement. The article concludes that as the NGOs are already playing an informal role in the WTO, the debate over the issue should shift from ‘whether’ to ‘how’. There are, however, two problems: NGOs own legitimacy and accountability. The NGOs could resolve these issues by ensuring that they pursue clear objectives and that they are not affiliated with any party to a dispute.

Keywords: WTO, dispute settlement, democratic legitimacy, NGOs in WTO, amicus brief

JEL Classification: K00, K33, K41

Suggested Citation

Iqbal, Khurshid, Dispute Settlement in the WTO: The NGO Perspective (January 1, 2003). Journal of Law and Society, Volume XXVIII, No 41, Faculty of Law, University of Peshawar, Pakistan, January 2003, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2312386

Khurshid Iqbal (Contact Author)

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Judicial Academy ( email )

Jail Road
Peshawar, 25000
Pakistan
92919213088 (Phone)
92919213078 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.kpja.edu.pk

International Islamic University - Department of Law ( email )

Block 01, H-8
Islamabad, 44000
Pakistan

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