Panel of Experts

Panel of Experts and the GATT Policy Negotiations

In relation to the GATT Policy Negotiations, Christopher Mark (1993) provided the following explanation and/or definition of Panel of Experts: In the GATT dispute settlement process, an ad hoc group of impartial and knowledgeable trade experts –usually three to five, serving in their personal capacity and not as representatives of governments –commissioned by the GATT Council to hear opposing arguments and investigate the facts involved in a dispute, and to issue findings and make recommendations as appropriate. Although a GATT dispute panel may superficially resemble an international tribunal, its findings have no legal force; rather, its essential function is to set the stage for the disputing parties to achieve a negotiated resolution between themselves.