Last month, Sidley presented a webinar about the Multiparty Interim Appeal-Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA). The MPIA bridges a crucial gap in the WTO dispute settlement system that results from the Appellate Body’s temporary inability to hear appeals within the existing WTO framework, preserving two-stage binding WTO dispute settlement between the MPIA participants. The arrangement was made effective on April 30, through communication to the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body.
Please join Katherine Connolly and Nicolas Lockhart for two follow-up webinars as they dig deeper with our panelists into the practical impact of the interim measure. In each session, participants will gain insights directly from the diplomats who successfully negotiated the MPIA, as well as other thought leaders in the WTO community.
For an overview of the MPIA, please see this recent Sidley Update.
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Download Event Materials and Transcript
- Arbitrator appointments: How will the appointments process work? What kind of balance will participants seek in the arbitrator pool? How will arbitrators be selected in individual appeals?
- Consultations within the pool of arbitrators: What is the value of consultations among arbitrators in the pool, and how will a system of consultation work in practice?
- Role of the WTO Secretariat: What role does the MPIA foresee for Secretariat staff? How should the supporting staff best assist arbitrators?
SPEAKERS
Yusong Chen, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of China to the WTO
Paolo Garzotti, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the European Union to the WTO
Gabrielle Marceau, Professor, Law Faculty, University of Geneva
Leticia Ramirez, Legal Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Mexico to the WTO
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
- The impact on non-MPIA WTO members: What are third-party rights in an MPIA arbitration? Can non-MPIA members use the MPIA template agreement? What will happen in “mixed” disputes between MPIA and non-MPIA participants? Can the MPIA model work in pending Appellate Body appeals? How will MPIA awards be regarded in subsequent disputes?
- Practical implementation issues: How will arbitrators meet the 90-day deadline? What innovations does the MPIA foresee and how will they work in practice?
SPEAKERS
Damaris Carnal, Legal Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the WTO
Philippe Cellard, Senior Legal Advisor, Permanent Mission of Canada to the WTO
Marco Molina Tejeda, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Guatemala to the WTO
Cherise Valles, Deputy Director, Advisory Centre on WTO Law
