World Trade Organization Appellate Body
Definition
An adjudicatory body established within the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995 under Article 17 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU). It is a standing body composed of seven individuals that hears appeals from reports issued by panels in disputes brought by WTO Members. The Appellate Body can uphold, modify, or reverse the legal findings and conclusions of a panel. Appellate Body reports, once adopted by the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB), must be accepted by the parties to the dispute.