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guides > gatt to wto >documentation
GATT/WTO DOCUMENTATION Basic
Instruments and Selected Documents (BISD) After the basic text of the Agreement, you will often need to use the following GATT publications: Basic
Instruments and Selected Documents (BISD) Instruments include protocols, agreements, declarations, procès-verbal, memoranda, certifications, or arrangements. Volume IV of the BISD is published annually in numbered supplements with a cumulative subject index for the series in each volume. The latest supplement published to date is No. 42 covering the 51st Session (1995). Documents from the different negotiating rounds have been reprinted by the GATT and are also often published by commercial publishers. Check in the Library’s GULLiver catalog using the name of the Multilateral Round in a word search: Tokyo, Kennedy, Dillon, Uruguay. Since the United States is a Contracting Party to the GATT, and now the WTO, you can use Treaties in Force [INTL REF KZ235 .U58] as an index to GATT instruments. Check agreement and accession documents and under "Trade and Commerce – GATT related Agreements" for all other treaty document cites. See also multilateral treaty indexes for this information, such as the Multilateral Treaty Calendar [INTL REF KZ118 .W55 1998]. Basic Instruments and Selected Documents (WTO BISD) (Geneva: WTO, 2002-) [INTL REF & INTL KZ185 .A4]. Contains similar types of documents as GATT BISD. The GATT microfiche collection is located in International Media. Please ask for assistance at the Reference Desk in the Wolff Library. The collection of GATT documents from 1947-1996 in microfiche is not comprehensive because many documents are still confidential. Our collection only includes de-restricted documents. Keep in mind that some GATT documents were never de-restricted. Subject access to the collection is by means of an annual "List and Index" that is located on the shelves in the International Media Room on the first floor of the Library [K4601 .G46]. The pre-1983 list contained a list of documents and a broad subject index. Since 1983, the index has an improved subject list, a list of GATT instrument numbers, a product index and a geographical location index. From 1947-1983, the documents are arranged by GATT document number. From 1984 on, use the "List and Index" to locate the appropriate microfiche number. The last set of fiche produced by the GATT were the documents from the Uruguay Round of negotiations (designated "UR" on the microfiche). There is a seperate "List and Index" for this collection of documents. The microfiche collection also includes items that are not specifically documents, e.g. newsletters such as GATT Focus, GATT WTO News, and titles such as the Analytical Index, BISD and Press Releases. The Library also receives and keeps all of these in paper copy. Ask for assistance if you have any questions as to the location of a particular item. From 1995 to present, WTO documents are available exclusively at the WTO web site ("WTO Official Documents"). It also contains selected material for the period 1986-1994, principally Uruguay Round documents and a small number of GATT documents. The search engine allows for basic and advanced searches. The browse feature allows the user to browse through "frequently-consulted" documents and documents posted in the last month. We also have been provided some CD-ROMs from the WTO that cover 1997-1999 derestricted documents. If you are interested in using these CDs, please see the Reference Desk at the Wolff Library for assistance. Analytical Index: Guide to GATT Law and Practice (GATT/LEG/2) was recently revised as a two volume publication [INTL REF K4603 .C6 1995]. This is the latest edition of a very useful text; it is also the only one with a detailed subject index. It contains notes on the drafting, interpretation and application of the articles of the GATT. It has references to corresponding articles from the Havana Charter and preceding drafts. Check the introduction for a good, brief description of GATT documentation. The Index provides documents symbols from Preparatory Committee meetings from 1946 on. The GATT Status of Legal Instruments (GATT/LEG/1) [K4602 .C6] covers only the GATT. It provides, for all GATT instruments, the dates signed, entry into force, registration information, names of signatories, a table of contents, a numerical index to the instruments, and an alphabetical and chronological list of Contracting Parties. A WTO Status of Legal Instruments provides the same type of information [INTL REF K4603 1994.A46 S73 1997]. For information after the date of the last supplement, refer to Treaties in Force or check with one of the International Law Librarians. Dispute settlement is based on the principles contained in Article XXIII of GATT. Panels are established to consider a dispute after other procedures, such as consultations, fail. The sources listed below contain the full text or summaries of panel decisions.
Revised August 2005 |
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