WTO Milestone Discussed by Alan Yanovich in Swiss Magazine
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is about to reach a significant milestone of 500 complaints, a testament to its effectiveness in handling commercial disputes. This success is largely attributed to the WTO's courts, as highlighted in a recent article in l'Hebdo.
Alan Yanovich, a senior counsel at Gump international trade, emphasized the importance of the WTO's courts in a quote featured in the Swiss publication. Yanovich, who was once a WTO lawyer, stated that the WTO system is unique and the best in the world.
However, Yanovich also pointed out the challenges faced by the WTO in recruiting experienced arbiters in the current job market. The organization has recently bolstered its legal teams to handle an increasing number of disputes, but it faces competition from the private sector for these skilled professionals.
Yanovich advised his clients to go to the WTO rather than another international tribunal, but he emphasized the need for experienced arbiters in the WTO to maintain its viability and competitiveness. He described the WTO's effort to strengthen its legal teams as exceptional, given the budget constraints.
The WTO's success is not only due to its courts, but also to its ability to provide a neutral and impartial forum for resolving commercial disputes. Yanovich suggested that the organization needs to continue to invest in its legal teams to remain viable in the face of competition.
Despite the challenges, the WTO's recruitment of experienced arbiters is a response to its growing popularity as a dispute resolution forum. No publicly available information specifies which governments or institutions the WTO has recruited these professionals from in recent years.
The article in l'Hebdo examines the WTO on its 20th anniversary, focusing on its role as a hub for commercial dispute resolution. The title of the article is "Genève: l'OMC abrite une usine à traiter les plaintes commerciales." Yanovich's comments highlight the importance of the WTO's legal teams in maintaining its success and ensuring its continued viability in the future.
