ABSTRACT
The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established with the primary function of ensuring the smooth and free flow of trade and services. At the heart of the WTO, is the Dispute Settlement System that ensures that disputes are resolved as soon as possible. This research aims at analyzing the role of the WTO and its Dispute Settlement body in settling trade disputes. This research specifically examines the WTO Dispute Settlement System; identities the objectives of the system and whether or not the system allows for the actualization of these objectives. The research also evaluates its performance and makes recommendations based on research findings.The essence of the research is how the system can be made more effective and accessible to developing and least developed member nations especially Africa. In undertaking this task, the research employs the doctrinal research method. Trade disputes in the WTO usually arisewhen a member state or states take a measure or measures that the WTO considers to be inconsistent with the obligations set out in the WTO agreements. Settling trade disputes in a timely and structured manner is important in order to realize the practical value of the commitments of the member states. The central objective of the WTO Dispute Settlement System is to provide quick and accessible dispute resolution to the multilateral trade system. In addition, the system is to preserve and clarify the rights and obligations of the members under the WTO Agreements, as well as ensure that disputes are settled promptly. In carrying out its mandate, the WTO Dispute Settlement System has decided several disputes among member nations of the WTO, covering diverse areas of the WTO agreements. In fact, the performance of the WTO Dispute Settlement System has been generally described as an ongoing institution that needs a lot of reforms. The Dispute Settlement System has many challenges, obstacles and problems, which make it impossible for it to achieve its set out goal perfectly. Thus, the objectives of the system have not been satisfactorily met due to implementation problems, inadequate funding, lack of transparency and access to the system, ad hoc nature of panels, as well as lacuna in the DSB. Considering the importance of the WTO's role of settling trade disputes to the stability of the global economy, adequate attention ought to have given to the system. Accordingly, the DSB should be adequately funded that would meet the increased workload of the DSB. The lacuna in the DSU should be corrected and the system made more transparent and accessible to the public. Furthermore, the system aught adopt adequate panelist that can meet the increased complexity of the substance of cases presented before panels. The Research will explore how the DSB can better serve the interest of third world countries and Africa.