Introduction: Let the Jewel in the Crown Shine Again

This chapter explains that the dispute settlement system of the WTO and its Appellate Body (AB) used to be considered as the Jewel in the Crown. But now the AB is encountering a survival crisis. There will not be enough AB members to hear an appeal case after 10 December 2019 if the blockage of the appointment of AB members still continues. There are a lot to be done in order to address the concerns of WTO members. This chapter summarizes various approaches and specific reforms proposed by the contributors in their respective chapters. The ultimate purpose is to ensure that the AB will operate properly and the jewel will shine again.