Where are the Least Developed Countries and Small Developing State Complainants in the World Trade Organization's Dispute Settlement Body?

The article, written with Md. Rizwanul Islam, examines why least developed countries (LDCs) and small developing states rarely bring disputes at the WTO, through a study of Bangladesh’s complaint against India’s anti-dumping measure on batteries, the only dispute an LDC has brought.

It analyses the obstacles such states face in deciding to bring a claim, in pursuing it and afterwards, and recommends reforms, one of which is that a losing developed or large developing Member State compensate a successful LDC complainant or bear its litigation costs.

It concludes: ‘Increasing participation of LDCs in the DSB is not only desirable from their own viewpoint, but also benefits the greater legitimacy of the WTO regime.’