Authors: Blackhurst, Richard; Hartridge, David

Source: Journal of International Economic Law, Volume 7, Number 3, September 2004 , pp. 705-716(12)

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Abstract:

The first part of the paper briefly reviews the increasingly serious shortcomings of the WTO’s ‘Green room process’, and then proceeds to develop the case for creating a formal ‘WTO Consultative Board’. As with green room meetings, a WTO Consultative Board would not be empowered to take decisions that bind the general membership. It would consult, discuss, debate, and negotiate, but its output would be limited to recommendations put forward to the entire membership for approval/acceptance. The second part of the paper deals mainly with practicalities and previous experience. There is a long history of tension between formal and informal processes of consultation and negotiation in the GATT and the WTO, which throws useful light on the issues raised in the first part. That history is presented with reference to the Green Room and the Consultative Group of Eighteen.

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2004-09-01

More about this publication?

• The Journal of International Economic Law is dedicated to encouraging thoughtful and scholarly attention to a very broad range of subjects that concern the relation of law to international economic activity, by providing the major English language medium for publication of high-quality manuscripts relevant to the endeavours of scholars, government officials, legal professionals and others. The emphasis will be on fundamental, long-term, systemic problems and possible solutions, in the light of empirical observations and experience, as well as theoretical and multi-disciplinary approaches. It is expected, therefore, that the journal's contents will potentially influence real events and provide important critiques of policies, negotiations, or court and tribunal cases. In this manner the journal should contribute modestly to promoting peace, world welfare and enhancement of the quality of life for all peoples.

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