The Use of Experts in WTO Dispute Settlement

In seven years of WTO dispute settlement (1995–2001), six panels appointed scientific experts, 2 two panels requested expert advice from other international organisations 3 and one panel nominated a linguistic expert. 4 Under GATT 1947, in contrast, only one panel saw the need to seek expert advice. 5 Very often also the parties to a WTO dispute nominate experts on their delegation, be they lawyers, economists, scientists or linguists. In addition, an increasing number of ‘outsiders’ or amici curiae , such as NGOs, but also industry and academics, have pressed their (expert) opinion on WTO panels and the Appellate Body.