《關(guān)于爭(zhēng)端解決規(guī)則和程序的諒解書(shū)》(英文)

精品資料《關(guān)于爭(zhēng)端解決規(guī)則和程序的諒解書(shū)》(英文)........................................精品資料精品資料................................................................................ANNEX2UNDERSTANDINGONRULESANDPROCEDURESGOVERNINGTHESETTLEMENTOFDISPUTESMembersherebyagreeasfollows:Article1CoverageandApplicationTherulesandproceduresofthisUnderstandingapplytodisputesbroughtpursuanttotheconsultationanddisputesettlementprovisionsoftheagreementslistedinAppendix1tothisUnderstanding(referredinthisUnderstandingasthe"coveredagreements").rulesandproceduresofthisUnderstandingshallalsoapplytoconsultationsandthesettlementofdisputesbetweenMembersconcerningtheirrightsandobligationsundertheprovisionsoftheAgreementEstablishingtheWorldTradeOrganization(referredtointhisUnderstandingasthe"WTOAgreement")andofthisUnderstandingtakeninisolationorincombinationwithanyothercoveredagreement.TherulesandproceduresofthisUnderstandingapplysubjecttosuchspecialoradditionalrulesandproceduresondisputesettlementcontainedinthecoveredagreementsasareidentifiedinAppendix2tothisUnderstanding.TotheextentthatthereisadifferencebetweentherulesandproceduresofthisUnderstandingandthespecialoradditionalrulesandproceduressetforthinAppendix2,thespecialoradditionalrulesandproceduresinAppendix2shallprevail.Indisputesinvolvingrulesandproceduresundermorethanonecoveredagreement,ifthereisaconflictbetweenspecialoradditionalrulesandproceduresofsuchagreementsunderreview,andwherethepartiestothedisputecannotagreeonrulesandprocedureswithin20daysoftheestablishmentofthepanel,theChairmanoftheDisputeSettlementBodyprovidedforinparagraph1ofArticle2(referredtointhisUnderstandingasthe"DSB"),inconsultationwiththepartiestothedispute,shalldeterminetherulesandprocedurestobefollowedwithin10daysafterarequestbyeitherMember.TheChairmanshallguidedbytheprinciplethatspecialoradditionalrulesandproceduresshouldbeusedwherepossible,therulesandproceduressetoutinthisUnderstandingshouldbeusedtotheextentnecessarytoavoidconflict.Article2AdministrationTheDisputeSettlementBodyisherebyestablishedadministertheserulesandproceduresand,exceptasotherwiseprovidedinacoveredagreement,theconsultationanddisputesettlementprovisionsofthecoveredagreements.Accordingly,theDSBshallhaveauthoritytoestablishpanels,adoptpanelandAppellateBodyreports,maintainsurveillanceofimplementationofrulingsandrecommendations,andauthorizesuspensionofconcessionsandotherobligationsunderthecoveredagreements.WithrespecttodisputesarisingunderacoveredagreementwhichisaPlurilateralTradeAgreement,theterm"Member"asusedhereinshallreferonlytothoseMembersthatarepartiestotherelevantPlurilateralTradeAgreement.WheretheDSBadministersthedisputesettlementprovisionsofaPlurilateralTradeAgreement,onlythoseMembersthatarepartiestothatAgreementmayparticipateindecisionsoractionstakenbytheDSBwithrespecttothatdispute.TheDSBshallinformtherelevantWTOCouncilsCommitteesofanydevelopmentsindisputesrelatedprovisionsoftherespectivecoveredagreements.TheDSBshallmeetasoftenasnecessarytooutitsfunctionswithinthetime-framesprovidedthisUnderstanding.WheretherulesandproceduresofthisprovidefortheDSBtotakeadecision,itshalldosobyconsensus.Article3GeneralProvisionsMembersaffirmtheiradherencetotheprinciplesthemanagementofdisputesheretoforeappliedunderArticlesXXIIandXXIIIofGATT1947,andtherulesproceduresasfurtherelaboratedandmodifiedherein.ThedisputesettlementsystemoftheWTOisacentralelementinprovidingsecurityandpredictabilitytothemultilateraltradingsystem.TheMembersrecognizethatitservestopreservetheandobligationsofMembersunderthecoveredagreements,andtoclarifytheexistingprovisionsofthoseagreementsinaccordancewithcustomaryrulesofinterpretationofpublicinternationallaw.RecommendationsandrulingsoftheDSBcannotaddtoordiminishtherightsandobligationsprovidedinthecoveredagreements.ThepromptsettlementofsituationsinwhichaMemberconsidersthatanybenefitsaccruingtoitdirectlyorindirectlyunderthecoveredagreementsbeingimpairedbymeasurestakenbyanotherMemberisessentialtotheeffectivefunctioningoftheWTOandthemaintenanceofaproperbalancebetweentherightsandobligationsofMembers.RecommendationsorrulingsmadebytheDSBshallaimedatachievingasatisfactorysettlementofthematterinaccordancewiththerightsandobligationsunderthisUnderstandingandunderthecoveredagreements.Allsolutionstomattersformallyraisedundertheconsultationanddisputesettlementprovisionsofthecoveredagreements,includingarbitrationawards,beconsistentwiththoseagreementsandshallnotnullifyorimpairbenefitsaccruingtoanyMemberthoseagreements,norimpedetheattainmentofanyobjectiveofthoseagreements.MutuallyagreedsolutionstomattersformallyundertheconsultationanddisputesettlementprovisionsofthecoveredagreementsshallbenotifiedtotheDSBandtherelevantCouncilsandCommittees,whereanyMembermayraiseanypointrelatingthereto.Beforebringingacase,aMembershallexerciseitsjudgementastowhetheractionundertheseprocedureswouldbefruitful.TheaimofthedisputesettlementmechanismistosecureapositivesolutiontoaAsolutionmutuallyacceptabletothepartiestoadisputeandconsistentwiththecoveredagreementsisclearlytobepreferred.Intheabsenceofamutuallyagreedsolution,thefirstobjectiveofthedisputesettlementmechanismisusuallytosecurethewithdrawalofthemeasuresconcernedifthesearetobeinconsistentwiththeprovisionsofanyofthecoveredagreements.Theprovisionofcompensationshouldberesortedtoonlyiftheimmediatewithdrawalofthemeasureisimpracticableandasatemporarymeasurependingthewithdrawalofthemeasurewhichisinconsistentwithacoveredagreement.ThelastresortwhichthisUnderstandingprovidestotheMemberinvokingthedisputesettlementproceduresisthepossibilityofsuspendingtheapplicationofconcessionsorotherobligationsunderthecoveredagreementsonadiscriminatorybasisvis-à-vistheotherMember,subjecttoauthorizationbytheDSBofsuchmeasures.Incaseswherethereisaninfringementoftheobligationsassumedunderacoveredagreement,theactionisconsideredprimafacietoconstituteacaseofnullificationorimpairment.ThismeansthatthereisnormallyapresumptionthatabreachoftheruleshasanadverseimpactonotherMemberspartiestothatcoveredagreement,andinsuchcases,itshallbeuptheMemberagainstwhomthecomplainthasbeenbroughttorebutthecharge.TheprovisionsofthisUnderstandingarewithoutprejudicetotherightsofMemberstoseekauthoritativeinterpretationofprovisionsofaagreementthroughdecision-makingundertheWTOAgreementoracoveredagreementwhichisaPlurilateralTradeAgreement.Itisunderstoodthatrequestsforconciliationtheuseofthedisputesettlementproceduresshouldbeintendedorconsideredascontentiousactsandifadisputearises,allMemberswillengageintheseproceduresingoodfaithinanefforttoresolvethedispute.Itisalsounderstoodthatcomplaintsandcounter-complaintsinregardtodistinctmattersnotbelinked.ThisUnderstandingshallbeappliedonlywithrespecttonewrequestsforconsultationsundertheconsultationprovisionsofthecoveredagreementsmadeonorafterthedateofentryintoforceoftheWTOAgreement.WithrespecttodisputesforwhichtherequestforconsultationswasmadeunderGATT1947orunderanyotherpredecessoragreementtothecoveredagreementsbeforethedateofentryintoforceoftheWTOAgreement,therelevantdisputesettlementrulesandproceduresineffectimmediatelypriortothedateofentryintoforceoftheWTOAgreementshalltoapply.Notwithstandingparagraph11,ifacomplaintbasedonanyofthecoveredagreementsisbroughtbyadevelopingcountryMemberagainstadevelopedcountryMember,thecomplainingpartyshallhavetherighttoinvoke,asanalternativetotheprovisionscontainedinArticles4,5,6and12ofthisUnderstanding,thecorrespondingprovisionsoftheDecisionof5April1966(BISD14S/18),exceptthatwherethePanelconsidersthatthetime-frameprovidedforinparagraph7ofthatDecisionisinsufficienttoprovideitsreportandwiththeagreementofthecomplainingthattime-framemaybeextended.TotheextentthatthereisadifferencebetweentherulesandproceduresofArticles4,5,6and12andthecorrespondingrulesandproceduresoftheDecision,thelattershallprevail.Article4ConsultationsMembersaffirmtheirresolvetostrengthenimprovetheeffectivenessoftheconsultationproceduresemployedbyMembers.EachMemberundertakestoaccordsympatheticconsiderationtoandaffordadequateopportunityconsultationregardinganyrepresentationsmadebyanotherMemberconcerningmeasuresaffectingtheoperationofanycoveredagreementtakenwithintheterritoryoftheformer.Ifarequestforconsultationsismadepursuanttocoveredagreement,theMembertowhichtherequestismadeshall,unlessotherwisemutuallyagreed,replytotherequestwithin10daysafterthedateofitsreceiptandshallenterintoconsultationsingoodfaithwithinaperiodofnomorethan30daysafterdateofreceiptoftherequest,withaviewtoamutuallysatisfactorysolution.IftheMemberdoesnotrespondwithin10daysafterthedateofreceipttherequest,ordoesnotenterintoconsultationswithinaperiodofnomorethan30days,oraperiodotherwisemutuallyagreed,afterthedateofreceiptoftherequest,thentheMemberthatrequestedtheholdingofconsultationsmayproceeddirectlytorequesttheestablishmentofapanel.AllsuchrequestsforconsultationsshallbenotifiedtotheDSBandtherelevantCouncilsandCommitteesbytheMemberwhichrequestsconsultations.Anyrequestforconsultationsshallbesubmittedinwritingandshallgivethereasonsfortherequest,includingidentificationofthemeasuresatissueandanindicationofthelegalbasisforthecomplaint.Inthecourseofconsultationsinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofacoveredagreement,beforeresortingtofurtheractionunderthisUnderstanding,Membersshouldattempttoobtainsatisfactoryadjustmentofmatter.Consultationsshallbeconfidential,andwithoutprejudicetotherightsofanyMemberinanyproceedings.Iftheconsultationsfailtosettleadisputewithin60daysafterthedateofreceiptoftherequestforconsultations,thecomplainingpartymayrequesttheestablishmentofapanel.Thecomplainingpartymayrequestapanelduringthe60-dayperiodiftheconsultingpartiesjointlyconsiderthatconsultationshavefailedtosettlethedispute.Incasesofurgency,includingthosewhichconcernperishablegoods,Membersshallenterintoconsultationswithinaperiodofnomorethan10daysafterthedateofreceiptoftherequest.Iftheconsultationshavefailedtosettlethedisputeaperiodof20daysafterthedateofreceiptoftherequest,thecomplainingpartymayrequesttheestablishmentofapanel.Incasesofurgency,includingthosewhichperishablegoods,thepartiestothedispute,panelsandtheAppellateBodyshallmakeeveryefforttoacceleratetheproceedingstothegreatestextentpossible.DuringconsultationsMembersshouldgivespecialattentiontotheparticularproblemsandinterestsdevelopingcountryMembers.WheneveraMemberotherthantheconsultingconsidersthatithasasubstantialtradeinterestinconsultationsbeingheldpursuanttoparagraph1ofArticleXXIIofGATT1994,paragraph1ofArticleXXIIofGATS,orthecorrespondingprovisionsinothercoveredagreements,suchMembermaynotifytheconsultingMembersandtheDSB,within10daysafterthedateofthecirculationoftherequestforconsultationsundersaidArticle,ofitsdesiretobejoinedintheconsultations.SuchMembershallbejoinedintheconsultations,providedthattheMembertowhichtherequestforconsultationswasaddressedagreesthattheclaimofsubstantialinterestiswell-founded.InthateventtheyshallsoinformtheDSB.therequesttobejoinedintheconsultationsisnotaccepted,theapplicantMembershallbefreetoconsultationsunderparagraph1ofArticleXXIIorparagraph1ofArticleXXIIIofGATT1994,paragraph1ofArticleXXIIorparagraph1ofArticleXXIIIofGATS,orthecorrespondingprovisionsinothercoveredagreements.Article5GoodOffices,ConciliationandMediationGoodoffices,conciliationandmediationareproceduresthatareundertakenvoluntarilyifpartiestothedisputesoagree.Proceedingsinvolvinggoodoffices,conciliationmediation,andinparticularpositionstakenbythepartiestothedisputeduringtheseproceedings,shallbeconfidential,andwithoutprejudicetotherightseitherpartyinanyfurtherproceedingsundertheseprocedures.Goodoffices,conciliationormediationmayberequestedatanytimebyanypartytoadispute.maybeginatanytimeandbeterminatedatanytime.Onceproceduresforgoodoffices,conciliationormediationareterminated,acomplainingpartymaythenproceedwitharequestfortheestablishmentofapanel.Whengoodoffices,conciliationormediationareenteredintowithin60daysafterthedateofreceiptofarequestforconsultations,thecomplainingpartymustallowaperiodof60daysafterthedateofreceiptoftherequestforconsultationsbeforerequestingtheestablishmentofapanel.Thecomplainingpartymayrequesttheestablishmentofapanelduringthe60-dayperiodifthepartiestothedisputejointlyconsiderthatthegoodoffices,conciliationormediationprocesshasfailedtothedispute.Ifthepartiestoadisputeagree,proceduresgoodoffices,conciliationormediationmaywhilethepanelprocessproceeds.TheDirector-Generalmay,actinginanexofficiocapacity,offergoodoffices,conciliationormediationwiththeviewtoassistingMemberstosettleaArticle6EstablishmentofPanelsIfthecomplainingpartysorequests,apanelshallbeestablishedatthelatestattheDSBmeetingfollowingthatatwhichtherequestfirstappearsasitemontheDSB'sagenda,unlessatthatmeetingtheDSBdecidesbyconsensusnottoestablishapanel.Therequestfortheestablishmentofapanelshallbemadeinwriting.Itshallindicatewhetherconsultationswereheld,identifythespecificatissueandprovideabriefsummaryofthelegalofthecomplaintsufficienttopresenttheproblemclearly.Incasetheapplicantrequeststheestablishmentofapanelwithotherthanstandardofreference,thewrittenrequestshallincludetheproposedtextofspecialtermsofreference.Article7TermsofReferenceofPanelsPanelsshallhavethefollowingtermsofreferenceunlessthepartiestothedisputeagreeotherwisewithin20daysfromtheestablishmentofthepanel:"Toexamine,inthelightoftherelevantprovisions(nameofthecoveredagreement(s)citedbythepartiestothedispute),thematterreferredtotheDSBby(nameofparty)indocument...andtomakesuchfindingsaswillassisttheDSBinmakingtherecommendationsoringivingtherulingsprovidedforinthat/thoseagreement(s)."Panelsshalladdresstherelevantprovisionsinanycoveredagreementoragreementscitedbythepartiesthedispute.Inestablishingapanel,theDSBmayauthorizeitsChairmantodrawupthetermsofreferenceoftheinconsultationwiththepartiestothedispute,subjecttotheprovisionsofparagraph1.ThetermsofreferencethusdrawnupshallbecirculatedtoallMembers.Ifotherthanstandardtermsofreferenceareagreedupon,anyMembermayraiseanypointrelatingtheretointheDSB.Article8CompositionofPanelsPanelsshallbecomposedofwell-qualifiedgovernmentaland/ornon-governmentalindividuals,includingpersonswhohaveservedonorpresentedacasetoapanel,servedasarepresentativeofaorofacontractingpartytoGATT1947orasarepresentativetotheCouncilorCommitteeofanycoveredagreementoritspredecessoragreement,orintheSecretariat,taughtorpublishedoninternationaltradelaworpolicy,orservedasaseniortradeofficialofaMember.Panelmembersshouldbeselectedwithaviewtoensuringtheindependenceofthemembers,asufficientlydiversebackgroundandawidespectrumexperience.CitizensofMemberswhosegovernmentsarepartiesthedisputeorthirdpartiesasdefinedinparagraph2ofArticle10shallnotserveonapanelconcernedthatdispute,unlessthepartiestothedisputeagreeotherwise.Toassistintheselectionofpanelists,theSecretariatshallmaintainanindicativelistofgovernmentalandnon-governmentalindividualspossessingthequalificationsoutlinedinparagraph1,fromwhichpanelistsmaybedrawnasappropriate.Thatlistshallincludetherosterofnon-governmentalpanelistsestablishedon30November1984(BISDandotherrostersandindicativelistsestablishedunderanyofthecoveredagreements,andshallretainthenamesofpersonsonthoserostersandindicativelistsatthetimeofentryintoforceoftheWTOAgreement.Membersmayperiodicallysuggestnamesofgovernmentalandnon-governmentalindividualsforinclusionontheindicativelist,providingrelevantinformationontheirknowledgeofinternationaltradeandofthesectorsorsubjectmatterofthecoveredagreements,andthosenamesshallbeaddedtothelistuponapprovalbytheDSB.Foreachoftheindividualsonthelist,thelistshallindicatespecificareasofexperienceorexpertiseoftheindividualsinthesectorsorsubjectmatterofthecoveredagreements.Panelsshallbecomposedofthreepanelistsunlessthepartiestothedisputeagree,within10daysfromtheestablishmentofthepanel,toapanelcomposedfivepanelists.Membersshallbeinformedpromptlyofthecompositionofthepanel.TheSecretariatshallproposenominationsforthepaneltothepartiestothedispute.Thepartiestodisputeshallnotopposenominationsexceptforcompellingreasons.Ifthereisnoagreementonthepanelistswithin20daysafterthedateoftheestablishmentofapanel,therequestofeitherparty,theDirector-General,inconsultationwiththeChairmanoftheDSBandtheChairmanoftherelevantCouncilorCommittee,shalldeterminethecompositionofthepanelbyappointingthepanelistswhomtheDirector-Generalconsidersmostappropriateinaccordancewithanyrelevantspecialoradditionalrulesorproceduresofthecoveredagreementorcoveredagreementswhichareatissueintheafterconsultingwiththepartiestothedispute.TheChairmanoftheDSBshallinformtheMembersofthecompositionofthepanelthusformednolaterthan10daysafterthedatetheChairmanreceivessucharequest.Membersshallundertake,asageneralrule,permittheirofficialstoserveaspanelists.Panelistsshallserveintheirindividualcapacitiesandnotasgovernmentrepresentatives,norasrepresentativesofanyorganization.Membersshallthereforenotgivetheminstructionsnorseektoinfluencethemasindividualswithregardtomattersbeforeapanel.WhenadisputeisbetweenadevelopingcountryMemberandadevelopedcountryMemberthepanelifthedevelopingcountryMembersorequests,includeatleastonepanelistfromadevelopingcountryPanelists'expenses,includingtravelandsubsistenceallowance,shallbemetfromtheWTOinaccordancewithcriteriatobeadoptedbytheGeneralCouncil,basedonrecommendationsoftheCommitteeonBudget,FinanceandAdministration.Article9ProceduresforMultipleComplainantsWheremorethanoneMemberrequeststheestablishmentofapanelrelatedtothesamematter,asinglepanelmaybeestablishedtoexaminethesecomplaintstakingintoaccounttherightsofallMembersconcerned.Asinglepanelshouldbeestablishedtoexaminesuchcomplaintswheneverfeasible.ThesinglepanelshallorganizeitsexaminationpresentitsfindingstotheDSBinsuchamannerthattherightswhichthepartiestothedisputewouldenjoyedhadseparatepanelsexaminedthecomplaintsinnowayimpaired.Ifoneofthepartiestothedisputesorequests,thepanelshallsubmitseparatereportsonthedisputeconcerned.Thewrittensubmissionsbyeachofthecomplainantsshallbemadeavailabletotheothercomplainants,andeachcomplainantshallhavetherighttobepresentwhenoneoftheothercomplainantspresentsitsviewstopanel.Ifmorethanonepanelisestablishedtoexaminecomplaintsrelatedtothesamematter,tothegreatestextentpossiblethesamepersonsshallserveaspanelistsoneachoftheseparatepanelsandthetimetableforthepanelprocessinsuchdisputesshallbeharmonized.Article10ThirdPartiesTheinterestsofthepartiestoadisputeandofotherMembersunderacoveredagreementatissuethedisputeshallbefullytakenintoaccountduringthepanelprocess.AnyMemberhavingasubstantialinterestinabeforeapanelandhavingnotifieditsinteresttotheDSB(referredtointhisUnderstandingasa"thirdparty")shallhaveanopportunitytobeheardbythepanelandtomakewrittensubmissionstothepanel.ThesesubmissionsshallalsobegiventothepartiesthedisputeandshallbereflectedinthepanelThirdpartiesshallreceivethesubmissionsofpartiestothedisputetothefirstmeetingofthepanel.Ifathirdpartyconsidersthatameasurealreadythesubjectofapanelproceedingnullifiesorbenefitsaccruingtoitunderanycoveredagreement,thatMembermayhaverecoursetonormaldisputesettlementproceduresunderthisUnderstanding.Suchdisputeshallbereferredtotheoriginalwhereverpossible.Article11FunctionofThefunctionofpanelsistoassisttheDSBindischargingitsresponsibilitiesunderthisUnderstandingandthecoveredagreements.Accordingly,apanelshouldmakeanobjectiveassessmentofthematterbeforeit,includinganobjectiveassessmentofthefactsofthecaseandtheapplicabilityofandconformitywiththerelevantcoveredagreements,andmakesuchotherfindingsaswillassisttheDSBinmakingtherecommendationsoringivingtherulingsprovidedforinthecoveredagreements.Panelsshouldconsultregularlywiththepartiestothedisputeandgivethemadequateopportunitytodevelopamutuallysatisfactorysolution.Article12PanelProceduresPanelsshallfollowtheWorkingProceduresinAppendix3unlessthepaneldecidesotherwiseconsultingthepartiestothedispute.Panelproceduresshouldprovidesufficientflexibilitysoastoensurehigh-qualitypanelwhilenotundulydelayingthepanelprocess.Afterconsultingthepartiestothedispute,thepanelistsshall,assoonaspracticableandwheneverpossiblewithinoneweekafterthecompositionandtermsofreferenceofthepanelhavebeenagreedfixthetimetableforthepanelprocess,takingintoaccounttheprovisionsofparagraph9ofArticle4,relevant.Indeterminingthetimetableforthepanelprocess,thepanelshallprovidesufficienttimeforthetothedisputetopreparetheirsubmissions.Panelsshouldsetprecisedeadlinesforsubmissionsbythepartiesandthepartiesshouldrespectthosedeadlines.EachpartytothedisputeshalldeposititswrittensubmissionswiththeSecretariatforimmediatetransmissiontothepanelandtotheotherpartyorpartiestothedispute.Thecomplainingpartyshallsubmititsfirstsubmissioninadvanceoftherespondingparty'sfirstsubmissionunlessthepaneldecides,infixingthetimetablereferredtoinparagraph3andafterconsultationswiththepartiesthedispute,thatthepartiesshouldsubmittheirsubmissionssimultaneously.Whentherearesequentialarrangementsforthedepositoffirstsubmissions,thepanelshallestablishafirmtime-periodforreceipttherespondingparty'ssubmission.Anysubsequentwrittensubmissionsshallbesubmittedsimultaneously.Wherethepartiestothedisputehavefailedtodevelopamutuallysatisfactorysolution,theshallsubmititsfindingsintheformofawrittenreporttotheDSB.Insuchcases,thereportofashallsetoutthefindingsoffact,theapplicabilityofrelevantprovisionsandthebasicrationalebehindanyfindingsandrecommendationsthatitmakes.Wheresettlementofthematteramongthepartiestothedisputehasbeenfound,thereportofthepanelshallbeconfinedtoabriefdescriptionofthecaseandtoreportingthatasolutionhasbeenreached.Inordertomaketheproceduresmoreefficient,theperiodinwhichthepanelshallconductitsfromthedatethatthecompositionandtermsofreferenceofthepanelhavebeenagreeduponuntilthedatethefinalreportisissuedtothepartiestothedispute,shall,asageneralrule,notexceedsixmonths.Incasesofurgency,includingthoserelatingtoperishablegoods,thepanelshallaimtoissueitsreporttothepartiestothedisputewithinthreemonths.Whenthepanelconsidersthatitcannotissuereportwithinsixmonths,orwithinthreemonthsincasesofurgency,itshallinformtheDSBinwritingofthereasonsforthedelaytogetherwithanestimateoftheperiodwithinwhichitwillissueitsreport.InnocaseshouldtheperiodfromtheestablishmentofthepaneltothecirculationofthereporttotheMembersexceedninemonths.InthecontextofconsultationsinvolvingatakenbyadevelopingcountryMember,thepartiesmayagreetoextendtheperiodsestablishedinparagraphsand8ofArticle4.If,aftertherelevantperiodhaselapsed,theconsultingpartiescannotagreethattheconsultationshaveconcluded,theChairmanoftheDSBshalldecide,afterconsultationwiththeparties,whethertoextendtherelevantperiodand,ifso,forhowlong.Inaddition,inexaminingacomplaintadevelopingcountryMember,thepanelshallaccordsufficienttimeforthedevelopingcountryMembertoprepareandpresentitsargumentation.Theprovisionsofparagraph1ofArticle20andparagraph4of21arenotaffectedbyanyactionpursuanttothisparagraph.WhereoneormoreofthepartiesisadevelopingcountryMember,thepanel'sreportshallexplicitlyindicatetheforminwhichaccounthasbeentakenofrelevantprovisionsondifferentialandtreatmentfordevelopingcountryMembersthatformofthecoveredagree