Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration ArrangementNature, Dilemmas and Prospects

Abstract

After the Appellate Body has become dysfunctional, some WTO members reached multi-party interim appeal arbitration arrangement (MPIA) and set up a temporary appellate arbitration mechanism. Based on Article 25 of the DSU, MPIA has characteristics of both its own and WTO rules. Its establishment has profound significance for global politics, economy and even the reform of WTOs dispute settlement mechanism. However, due to its own legal principles, nature and other factors, MPIA may be easily trapped in difficulties of insufficient effectiveness, lack of official funds and support from the secretariat. Therefore, this article discusses the nature, difficulties and development prospects of MPIA to demonstrate the possibility of being a powerful alternative dispute settlement mechanism after the shutdown of the WTO appellate body and analyzes its advantages such as flexible mechanism.