論WTO爭端解決機制程序設計缺陷的技術性修正

Technical Corrections to the Procedural Design Flaws of the Dispute Settlement Mechanism of WTO

WTO爭端解決機制在處理國際貿易糾紛方面的成績有目共睹，但18年的實踐也暴露出一些問題。有些問題因涉及WTO成員利益的再平衡，一時難以解決；但另一些問題屬於WTO爭端解決機制在程序設計上的缺陷，是“技術性”的，解決的難度不是很大。據此，作者指出了關於DSU第21條和第22條的適用順序、專家組合上訴機構的工作時限，以及通過中才確定專家組／上訴機構報告執行期限等規定中存在的設計缺陷，並就上述缺陷提出了修正建議。Although the achievements of the dispute settlement mechanism of WTO are well known, its practice during the past 18 years also reveals many problems. Some of the problems may not be easily resolved due to the need of rebalancing the interest among the Members; while some of the problems belong to procedural design flaws which are technical and can be corrected without much difficulty, After discussing design flaws in provisions concerning the following issues: the application sequence of Article 21 and 22 of the DSU, the working period for Panel and Appellate Body, and the determination of implementation period of the Panel /Appellate Body Report though arbitration, the author puts forward some corrective suggestions.