諮商(consultation)
DSU(Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes)延續GATT第二十二條及第二十三條之前例，將諮商作為爭端解決程序前需進行之必要過程。諮商為和平解決當事國間貿易爭端之重要方式，當事國若是具有貿易上爭端，於世貿組織之規範下諮商為解決爭端之第一步。根據DSU所規定，諮商具有以下之規範1：
一、諮商之事項
根據DSU第一條第一項規定：此瞭解書之規則和程序應適用於：根據諮商及本暸解書附件一所列之協定(本暸解書稱：涵蓋協定(covered agreements))之爭端解決條款所提出之爭端。本暸解書之規則及程序也應適用於：建立世貿組織協定(本暸解書稱：WTO協定)及本暸解書條款下之有關成員國之權利義務(rights and obligations)之諮商及爭端解決，且此瞭解書可單獨(in isolation)適用或與任何其他涵蓋協定共同(in combination)適用。
Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes Article 1.1 ： “The rules and procedures of this Understanding shall apply to disputes brought pursuant to the consultation and dispute settlement provisions of the agreements listed in Appendix 1 to this Understanding (referred to in this Understanding as the “covered agreements”). The rules and procedures of this Understanding shall also apply to consultations and the settlement of disputes between Members concerning their rights and obligations under the provisions of the Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (referred to in this Understanding as the “WTO Agreement”) and of this Understanding taken in isolation or in combination with any other covered agreement.”
二、諮商之義務
根據DSU第四條第一項規定：會員國證明(affirm)其決心(resolve)以強化及增進會員國所使用(employed by)之諮商程序之有效。
Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes Article 4.1 ：“Members affirm their resolve to strengthen and improve the effectiveness of the consultation procedures employed by Members.”
三、諮商之時間
根據DSU第四條第三項之規定：若是諮商之請求為根據任一涵蓋協定所提出，提出該請求之成員國應：除非於其他情況下(otherwise)雙方當事國共同同意，需於提出諮商之請求被接受後之十日內回應要求，且應於提出諮商之請求被接受後不超過三十日內(within a period of no more than 30 days)以誠實信用(in good faith)進行諮商，並以達成雙方共同滿意之解決方法為目的。
Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes Article 4.3：“If a request for consultations is made pursuant to a covered agreement, the Member to which the request is made shall, unless otherwise mutually agreed, reply to the request within 10 days after the date of its receipt and shall enter into consultations in good faith within a period of no more than 30 days after the date of receipt of the request, with a view to reaching a mutually satisfactory solution. If the Member does not respond within 10 days after the date of receipt of the request, or does not enter into consultations within a period of no more than 30 days, or a period otherwise mutually agreed, after the date of receipt of the request, then the Member that requested the holding of consultations may proceed directly to request the establishment of a panel.”
四、諮商之通知
根據DSU第四條第四項之規定：所有諮商之要求需由提出要求之會員國，通知爭端解決組織及相關之理事會(councils)和委員會(committees)。任何諮商之要求需以書面(in writing)提出，且需載明理由，理由包括議題中措施之認定(identification)及表明(indication)控訴之法律基礎。
Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes Article 4.4：“All such requests for consultations shall be notified to the DSB and the relevant Councils and Committees by the Member which requests consultations. Any request for consultations shall be submitted in writing and shall give the reasons for the request, including identification of the measures at issue and an indication of the legal basis for the complaint.”
五、諮商之保密
根據DSU第四條第六項規定：諮商之進行須保持機密，且於任何進一步之訴訟程序中，不可對任何會員國之權利(rights)帶有偏見(prejudice)。
Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes Article 4.6：“Consultations shall be confidential, and without prejudice to the rights of any Member in any further proceedings.”
六、諮商之第三國
根據DSU第四條第十一項規定：無論何時，諮商之雙方當事國以外之第三國認為，根據GATT 1994 第22條第一項及GATS 第22條第一項或是根據涵蓋協定之相關條文所提出之諮商，對於第三國具有實質之貿易上利益，該第三國可通知諮商中之雙方當事國及爭端解決組織(DSB)，該主張需於以上條款所規定之諮商要求流程(after the date of the circulation of the request for consultations)之日之後十日內提出，該第三國有意願加入諮商。該第三國應被加入諮商中，但第三國所表示之諮商要求，需以「第三國同意實質之利益為有根據的主張」作為條件。在此種情況下，雙方當事國始可通知爭端解決組織(DSB)。若是第三國加入諮商之要求不被接受，則提出申請之第三國可根據GATT 1994 第22條第一項或第23條第一項及GATS 第22條第一項或第23條第一項或是根據涵蓋協定之相關條文，提出諮商。
Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes Article 4.11：“Whenever a Member other than the consulting Members considers that it has a substantial trade interest in consultations being held pursuant to paragraph 1 of Article XXII of GATT 1994, paragraph 1 of Article XXII of GATS, or the corresponding provisions in other covered agreements, such Member may notify the consulting Members and the DSB, within 10 days after the date of the circulation of the request for consultations under said Article, of its desire to be joined in the consultations. Such Member shall be joined in the consultations, provided that the Member to which the request for consultations was addressed agrees that the claim of substantial interest is well-founded. In that event they shall so inform the DSB. If the request to be joined in the consultations is not accepted, the applicant Member shall be free to request consultations under paragraph 1 of Article XXII or paragraph 1 of Article XXIII of GATT 1994, paragraph 1 of Article XXII or paragraph 1 of Article XXIII of GATS, or the corresponding provisions in other covered agreements.”
以上英文條文之翻譯為個人翻譯，非權威學者之翻譯。
參考文獻
國際貿易法：世界貿易組織下之法律新秩序 國際經貿法研究(五) 羅昌發 著
1、國際貿易法：世界貿易組織下之法律新秩序 國際經貿法研究(五) 羅昌發 著 2014：676
