WTO Dispute Settlement Mechanism

------An Analysis of the DSU in Positivism



by
Chengwei, Liu




Foreword
This book is a systematically selected compilation of Reports issued by various panels and the standing Appellate Body, then adopted by the DSB under the WTO jurisdiction by the end of May 2002, in category of subjects such as causes of action, initiation of panel proceedings, function of panels, rules of evidence and special rules governing anti-dumping disputes, etc., which are in most cases ruled as “preliminary issues” or “procedural objections”. However, this book is not intended to be exhaustive. It deals only with issues in dispute settlement proceedings under the WTO jurisprudence that the author considers the more important, where such rules are mainly concerned as Art. XXIII of the GATT 1994; Arts. 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 21.5, 23, 26 of the DSU; Arts. 17.4, 17.5, 17.6 of the AD Agreement and Arts. 31, 32 of the Vienna Convention and so on.
Moreover, this book is intended to be descriptive and positive rather than prescriptive and theoretical. Most of the author’s analysis benefits much from the precise and logically organized reports by panels and the Appellate Body, administered by the DSB under the WTO jurisdiction. It must be made clear that these reports do not constitute binding “subsequent practice” referred to in Article 31 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, nor do they operate as stare decisis, panels and the Appellate Body are therefore not bound by past reports. Nevertheless, it does be the case demonstrated by the DSB practice that, relevant reasoning in a particular case has been cited or followed frequently by another panel or confirmed by the Appellate Body in subsequent cases.
As ruled by the Appellate Body in Japan-Taxes on Alcoholic Beverages (DS44), “[a]dopted panel reports are an important part of the GATT acquis. They are often considered by subsequent panels. They create legitimate expectations among WTO Members, and, therefore, should be taken into account where they are relevant to any dispute”. Furthermore, a panel could nevertheless find useful guidance in the reasoning of an unadopted panel report when it considers relevant. More importantly, as stated in the letter with which the Appellate Body conveyed in the February of 1996 its Working Procedures for Appellate Review to the DSB for information, “… it is also important to ensure consistency and coherence in our decision-making, which is to the advantage of every WTO Member and the overall multilateral trading system we all share”.
There is no doubt that, in line with the pragmatic evolution of the GATT dispute settlement system, the progressive clarification of a number of issues that are not precisely regulated in the DSU and the further development of the WTO dispute settlement procedures, will gradually evolve after having been tested and progressively clarified and improved in concrete dispute settlement cases.
Considering all of this, the author complete this book with serious-minded exploring examination and great diligence, bearing in mind that it is therefore practical and of great significance for WTO Members to be informed of the valuable rulings in those reports issued by panels and the Appellate Body in particular cases.

List of Abbreviations

ATC Agreement on Textile and Clothing
BISD Basic Instruments and Selected Documents (published by GATT)
DSU Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing
the Settlement of Disputes
DSB Dispute Settlement Body
EC The European Communities
GATS General Agreement on Trade in Services
GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
IMF International Monetary Fund
PGE Permanent Group of Experts (in the SCM Agreement)
SCM Subsidies and Countervailing Measures
SG Agreement on Safeguards
SPS Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
TBT Technical Barriers to Trade
TMB Textiles Monitoring Body
TRIMS Trade-related Investment Measures
TRIPS Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights
TSB Textiles Surveillance Body
WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization
WTO World Trade Organization
Table of Contents

Chapter I Trend towards “Judicialization”:
A Rule-oriented Dispute Settlement System
Chapter II Causes of Action before the DSB:
Art. XXIII of the GATT 1994
Section One Right to Pursue a Proceeding under the WTO
I The Concept of Nullification or Impairment
II The Standing Issue before the DSB
广东省汕头市人民政府


汕头市企业信用信息披露管理办法(试行)

（2002年2月26日　汕头市人民政府第52号令发布）


　　第一条　为开发和利用信用资源，防范信用风险，推动企业信用制度建设，促进经济和社会发展，根据有关法律、法规的规定，结合本市实际，制定本办法。
　　第二条　本市行政区域内注册企业的信用信息披露活动，适用本办法。
　　第三条　汕头市人民政府批准的组织（以下简称征信机构）负责企业信用信息的披露。
　　个人或未经批准的组织不得从事本办法规定的企业信用信息的披露。
　　第四条　征信机构披露企业信用信息应当遵循客观、规范、公平、公正的原则，对企业的商业秘密负有保密义务，不得披露法律、法规禁止披露的信息，并保证其所提供信息的合法性、真实性。
　　第五条　汕头市人民政府批准成立企业信用征信监督机构，负责对企业信用信息披露活动的监管。
　　监督机构的组成、职责等由汕头市人民政府另行规定。
　　第六条　征信机构披露的企业信用信息包括下列内容：
　　（一）企业基本情况：企业名称、法定代表人姓名、企业住所、注册资本、经营范围，税务登记证号、核算方式、行业、税务登记验证和换证情况、纳税人性质和税务管理状态，企业联合年检情况，进出口经营资格和企业类型，企业的全国组织机构代码等。
　　（二）企业经营和财务状况：主要产品（业务）、年销售（营业）收入、年纳税总额、年纳税入库总额。
　　（三）企业资信情况：重合同守信用资料，资质认证，资格认定，金融机构对企业的信用评级情况。
　　（四）企业荣誉记录：重大奖励，驰名、著名和重点保护商标资料，法定代表人荣誉记录以及企业其他荣誉资料。
　　（五）企业不良记录：企业走私、逃骗套汇、偷逃骗抗税、制假贩假、恶意逃废债务、利用合同诈骗等违法情况，以及违法受吊销企业营业执照、较大数额罚款等行政处罚情况。
　　（六）企业同意披露或者法律、法规未禁止披露的其他信用信息。
　　第七条　征信机构可以通过汕头市人民政府（公众）信息网（网址：http://www.shantou.gov.cn）的企业信用信息查询系统或汕头市人民政府批准的其他载体披露企业信用信息。
　　信息使用者可以通过查询汕头市人民政府(公众)信息网的企业信用信息查询系统或汕头市人民政府批准的其他载体获取相关信息。
　　第八条　企业有权无偿查询本企业的信用信息。
　　第九条　企业认为本企业信用信息与事实不符的，可以向征信机构提出更正申请，征信机构应当及时核实，并自受理之日起10日内做出更正或不予更正的书面答复，不予更正的，应当说明理由。企业对征信机构的答复有异议的，可以向企业信用征信监督机构申诉。
　　第十条　征信机构可以长期保存和披露企业信用信息，但企业重大违法记录的保存和披露期限最长不得超过两年。法律、法规另有规定的除外。
　　企业信用信息的保存和披露期限，自该信息被披露之日起计算。
　　第十一条　本办法自2002年4月1日起施行。

汕头市人民政府办公室　　

二○○二年二月二十七日