Learning Centre |
Welcome to the TradeLawGuide Learning Centre. Here you can learn about researching WTO law in a comprehensive and efficient manner using TradeLawGuide. Use the Learning Centre to get the most out of TradeLawGuide.
The short videos are intended to demonstrate the principal features of each tool. Additional detail is included in the accompanying training manuals.
Videos not displayed on your screen? If you see empty boxes displayed in the Learning Centre instead of training videos it is likely that your institution is blocking internet links to video downloads. You can request your institution to allow access to videos from the TradeLawGuide Learning Centre. Alternatively, if the videos are not available on your network you can still access the PDF training manuals which contain the same information with even greater detail. See the links to the training manuals below the videos.
If you have any questions about the Learning Centre, please email us at info@tradelawguide.com
How to Methodically Research WTO Law Using TradeLawGuide’s Research Tools
The Research Cycle (Steps 1-5)
Step 1 – Identify the Basic Facts and Issues
Step 2 – Identify the Relevant Provisions
A. “By subject” approach to identifying relevant provisions
B. “Top down” or “deductive” approach to identifying relevant provisions
C. Identifying secondary provisions that may be relevant to the interpretation of directly applicable provisions
A. “By subject” approach to identifying relevant provisions
B. “Top down” or “deductive” approach to identifying relevant provisions
C. Identifying secondary provisions that may be relevant to the interpretation of directly applicable provisions
Step 3 – Identify Relevant Jurisprudence and Interpretative Rules
A. WTO Jurisprudence
B. Interpretative Rules
A. WTO Jurisprudence
B. Interpretative Rules
Step 4 – Note up Jurisprudence
A. Jurisprudence Citator
B. Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) Minutes
A. Jurisprudence Citator
B. Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) Minutes
Step 5 – Fine Tune Research
Step 6 – Identify Pending Jurisprudence
OVERVIEW - TradeLawGuide Videos and Manuals
1. System Requirements and Settings
2. Getting Started on TradeLawGuide
3. Subject Navigator
4. Article Citator
5. Jurisprudence Citators
6. Interpretation
7. Terms & Phrases
8. DSB Minutes
9. Jurisprudence Pending
10. Text Search
11. Select Annotated Agreements
12. Jurisprudence
13. Documents
14. Negotiating History
2. Getting Started on TradeLawGuide
3. Subject Navigator
4. Article Citator
5. Jurisprudence Citators
6. Interpretation
7. Terms & Phrases
8. DSB Minutes
9. Jurisprudence Pending
10. Text Search
11. Select Annotated Agreements
12. Jurisprudence
13. Documents
14. Negotiating History
1. System Requirements and Settings
System requirements and settings that are essential for TradeLawGuide.
1. Adobe® Reader or Professional v. 8.0+
1.1. Testing for Compatibility with Pinpoint Document Viewing
1.2. Testing for Compatibility with Hit Highlighting
1.3. I have an older version of Adobe® Professional and do not want
to upgrade it, what do I do?
1.4. I have the correct version of Adobe® Reader or Professional and
the Pinpoint Document Viewing Does not Work, what do I do?
2. Apple Macintosh Computer Incompatibility
3. High Speed Internet Connection
4. Browsers & Settings
1.1. Testing for Compatibility with Pinpoint Document Viewing
1.2. Testing for Compatibility with Hit Highlighting
1.3. I have an older version of Adobe® Professional and do not want
to upgrade it, what do I do?
1.4. I have the correct version of Adobe® Reader or Professional and
the Pinpoint Document Viewing Does not Work, what do I do?
2. Apple Macintosh Computer Incompatibility
3. High Speed Internet Connection
4. Browsers & Settings
2. Getting Started on TradeLawGuide
Features and functions used throughout the database to reduce research time and improve efficiency. The most relevant information is displayed on your screen or only one click away.
1. Logging In and Out
2. Subscriber Welcome Page
3. TradeLawGuide Learning Centre
4. Browsing Links and Trees
5. “More About” Tools and Functions
6. Quick Menu
7. “Short Titles” Tool
8. Integrated PDF Browser
8.1. Overview
8.2. Full Citation
8.3. Pinpoint Browsing of Paragraphs and Footnotes
8.4. Integrated Jurisprudence Citator
8.5. Concise Research Summary
8.6. Extracts from Reasons (where relevant)
8.7. Key Findings (where relevant)
9. Treatment of Panel Reports that Have Been Appealed
9.1. Where the Appellate Body Report has Not Yet Been Issued
9.2. Where an Appellate Body Report has Been Issued
2. Subscriber Welcome Page
3. TradeLawGuide Learning Centre
4. Browsing Links and Trees
5. “More About” Tools and Functions
6. Quick Menu
7. “Short Titles” Tool
8. Integrated PDF Browser
8.1. Overview
8.2. Full Citation
8.3. Pinpoint Browsing of Paragraphs and Footnotes
8.4. Integrated Jurisprudence Citator
8.5. Concise Research Summary
8.6. Extracts from Reasons (where relevant)
8.7. Key Findings (where relevant)
9. Treatment of Panel Reports that Have Been Appealed
9.1. Where the Appellate Body Report has Not Yet Been Issued
9.2. Where an Appellate Body Report has Been Issued
3. Subject Navigator
4. Article Citator
The Article Citator enables you to undertake more comprehensive research and substantially reduces the possibility that you will miss relevant jurisprudence on a particular point of WTO law. It is helpful when researching issues that might be addressed in the periphery of existing jurisprudence. You can also quickly find references to provisions that are not readily apparent because they are made in the context of analysis and reasoning concerning other provisions.
1. Overview
2. The Article Citator Dataset
2.1. Value-Added References
2.2. References are Provision-Specific
2.3. References that are Difficult to Find Using a Full Text Search
3. Selecting an Agreement or Instrument and Provision
4. The Article Citator Tools
4.1. Sort Jurisprudence
4.1.1. Reverse Chronological Order (default sort)
4.1.2. By Dispute Name (history of treatment of provision within dispute)
4.1.3. By Passages Most Frequently Cited
4.1.4. By Appellate Body Report
4.2. Display Options
4.2.1. No findings or extracts displayed
4.2.2. Show key findings for this provision
4.2.3. Show extracts from reasons
4.2.4. Display full citations/short titles
4.3. Integrated Browser
4.3.1. Full Citation
4.3.2. Pinpoint Browsing of Paragraphs and Footnotes
4.3.3. Integrated Jurisprudence Citator
4.3.4. Concise Research Summary
4.3.5. Extracts from Reasons (where relevant)
4.3.6. Key Findings (where relevant)
5. Links to Redacted Texts
2. The Article Citator Dataset
2.1. Value-Added References
2.2. References are Provision-Specific
2.3. References that are Difficult to Find Using a Full Text Search
3. Selecting an Agreement or Instrument and Provision
4. The Article Citator Tools
4.1. Sort Jurisprudence
4.1.1. Reverse Chronological Order (default sort)
4.1.2. By Dispute Name (history of treatment of provision within dispute)
4.1.3. By Passages Most Frequently Cited
4.1.4. By Appellate Body Report
4.2. Display Options
4.2.1. No findings or extracts displayed
4.2.2. Show key findings for this provision
4.2.3. Show extracts from reasons
4.2.4. Display full citations/short titles
4.3. Integrated Browser
4.3.1. Full Citation
4.3.2. Pinpoint Browsing of Paragraphs and Footnotes
4.3.3. Integrated Jurisprudence Citator
4.3.4. Concise Research Summary
4.3.5. Extracts from Reasons (where relevant)
4.3.6. Key Findings (where relevant)
5. Links to Redacted Texts
5. Jurisprudence Citators
The Jurisprudence Citators enable you to quickly evaluate the status of passages in jurisprudence and any nuances created by subsequent Appellate Body, panel and arbitrator statements regarding the passages. They provide you with a high degree of confidence when relying on jurisprudence. Given their importance, the Jurisprudence Citators are integrated into the Article Citator and into the integrated browser so you can instantly update all jurisprudence references made in the database.
1. Overview
2. “Noting Up” Jurisprudence References
3. The Article Citator Dataset
3.1. Value-Added References
3.2. References that are Difficult to Find Using a Full Text Search
4. WTO Jurisprudence Citator
5. GATT 1947 and GATT Code Jurisprudence Citator
6. Integrated Browser
6.1.1. Full Citation
6.1.2. Pinpoint Browsing of Paragraphs and Footnotes
6.1.3. Integrated Jurisprudence Citator
6.1.4. Concise Research Summary
6.1.5. Extracts from Reasons (where relevant)
6.1.6. Key Findings (where relevant)
7. Links to Redacted Texts
2. “Noting Up” Jurisprudence References
3. The Article Citator Dataset
3.1. Value-Added References
3.2. References that are Difficult to Find Using a Full Text Search
4. WTO Jurisprudence Citator
5. GATT 1947 and GATT Code Jurisprudence Citator
6. Integrated Browser
6.1.1. Full Citation
6.1.2. Pinpoint Browsing of Paragraphs and Footnotes
6.1.3. Integrated Jurisprudence Citator
6.1.4. Concise Research Summary
6.1.5. Extracts from Reasons (where relevant)
6.1.6. Key Findings (where relevant)
7. Links to Redacted Texts
6. Interpretation
The Treaty Interpretation tool provides you with quick access to the rules of treaty interpretation, as elaborated upon in WTO jurisprudence, needed when interpreting WTO agreements and instruments.
1. Overview
2. Annotated Texts
2.1. Highlighted Text and Navigation Icons
2.2. Structure and Content of Annotations
2.3. Articles 31-33 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties & Interpretative Issues, Rules and Principles
2.4. Article 3.2 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU)
2.5. Article IX:2 of the WTO Agreement
2.6. Article 17.6(ii) of the Anti-Dumping Agreement
3. Searching the Annotations
4. Integrated Browser
4.1.1. Full Citation
4.1.2. Pinpoint Browsing of Paragraphs and Footnotes
4.1.3. Integrated Jurisprudence Citator
4.1.4. Concise Research Summary
4.1.5. Extracts from Reasons (where relevant)
4.1.6. Key Findings (where relevant)
5. Links to Redacted Texts
2. Annotated Texts
2.1. Highlighted Text and Navigation Icons
2.2. Structure and Content of Annotations
2.3. Articles 31-33 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties & Interpretative Issues, Rules and Principles
2.4. Article 3.2 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU)
2.5. Article IX:2 of the WTO Agreement
2.6. Article 17.6(ii) of the Anti-Dumping Agreement
3. Searching the Annotations
4. Integrated Browser
4.1.1. Full Citation
4.1.2. Pinpoint Browsing of Paragraphs and Footnotes
4.1.3. Integrated Jurisprudence Citator
4.1.4. Concise Research Summary
4.1.5. Extracts from Reasons (where relevant)
4.1.6. Key Findings (where relevant)
5. Links to Redacted Texts
7. Terms & Phrases
Terms & Phrases enables you to see at a glance where a particular term or phrase has been expressly defined by an agreement or instrument or where it has been considered or commented upon in WTO jurisprudence in a way that illuminates its meaning. It allows you to look across agreements and instruments to ascertain whether a term or phrase interpreted in one context has value for understanding the same or a similar term or phrase used in another context. It also captures terms that would be difficult to search using a full text search (e.g., "a", "or", "and", "and/or").
1. Overview
2. The Terms & Phrases Dataset
2.1. Texts of the WTO Agreements & Instruments
2.2. WTO Jurisprudence
2.3. Annotated Term or Phrase
3. Display
3.1. Display Features
3.2. Alphabetical by Name of Term or Phrase
3.3. Alphabetical by Name of Agreement or Instrument
4. Search Function
5. Integrated Browser
5.1.1. Full Citation
5.1.2. Pinpoint Browsing of Paragraphs and Footnotes
5.1.3. Integrated Jurisprudence Citator
5.1.4. Concise Research Summary
5.1.5. Extracts from Reasons (where relevant)
5.1.6. Key Findings (where relevant)
6. Links to Redacted Texts
2. The Terms & Phrases Dataset
2.1. Texts of the WTO Agreements & Instruments
2.2. WTO Jurisprudence
2.3. Annotated Term or Phrase
3. Display
3.1. Display Features
3.2. Alphabetical by Name of Term or Phrase
3.3. Alphabetical by Name of Agreement or Instrument
4. Search Function
5. Integrated Browser
5.1.1. Full Citation
5.1.2. Pinpoint Browsing of Paragraphs and Footnotes
5.1.3. Integrated Jurisprudence Citator
5.1.4. Concise Research Summary
5.1.5. Extracts from Reasons (where relevant)
5.1.6. Key Findings (where relevant)
6. Links to Redacted Texts
8. DSB Minutes
The DSB Minutes tool enables you to quickly determine the nature of any criticisms or policy concerns that were expressed to the DSB concerning jurisprudence that you intend to rely upon.
View: PDF Manual - DSB Minutes
1. Overview
2. DSB Minutes Dataset
3. Sort Options
3.1. By Dispute Name
3.2. Reverse Chronologically by Meeting Date
4. Search
2. DSB Minutes Dataset
3. Sort Options
3.1. By Dispute Name
3.2. Reverse Chronologically by Meeting Date
4. Search
9. Jurisprudence Pending
This tool enables you to quickly ascertain whether the provisions you are researching are the subject of an ongoing dispute and provides quick access to relevant documents pertaining to the treatment of the provisions in that dispute.
1. Overview
2. Jurisprudence Pending Dataset
3. Display Options
3.1. By Agreement/Provision
3.2. By Category
3.3. By Dispute Name
3.4. By Dispute Number
2. Jurisprudence Pending Dataset
3. Display Options
3.1. By Agreement/Provision
3.2. By Category
3.3. By Dispute Name
3.4. By Dispute Number
10. Text Search
The Full Text Search covers all documents in the TradeLawGuide database. Document selection options and filters (which include a filter based on the content of the Article Citator) enable you to narrow your search to improve the quality of the results. The content of Terms & Phrases is integrated to give you the most relevant results fast. Instead of having to review thousands of results from searches of words like "proceedings", you will be directed to the result that is on point.
1. Overview
2. Adobe® Reader or Professional Settings
3. How the Text Search Tool Fits into the Other Tools in the Research Process
4. Document Collection
5. Search Commands and Functions
5.1. Search Field
5.2. Search Types
5.2.1. “Any Words” (with illustrative example & helpful hints)
5.2.2. “All Words” (with illustrative example & helpful hints)
5.2.3. “Boolean” (with illustrative examples & helpful hints)
5.2.3.1. Generally
5.2.3.2. Boolean Connectors
5.2.3.3. Special Search Term Characters
5.2.3.4. Examples
6. Linguistic Search Options
6.1. Stemming
6.2. Synonyms
6.3. Fuzzy Typo
7. Narrowing Your Search Using Filters and Other Options
7.1. The Document Categories Selected for Searching will Determine Which Options are Available
7.2. Searching Full Texts or Redacted Texts of Jurisprudence Documents
7.3. Limit Search to WTO Jurisprudence that Substantively Cites Specific WTO Provisions
7.4. Limit Search to Jurisprudence or Other Documents within a Particular Date Range
7.5. Limit Search to Specific WTO Agreements or Instruments
7.6. Limit Search to Specific Dispute Settlement Document Types
7.7. Limit Search to Specific Negotiating Group (Uruguay Round Negotiating History)
7.8. Search Result Display Options – Frequency of Hits versus Reverse Chronologically by Circulation Date
8. Search Results
8.1. Redefine Search
8.2. View Extracts
8.3. View Hits in PDF Document
2. Adobe® Reader or Professional Settings
3. How the Text Search Tool Fits into the Other Tools in the Research Process
4. Document Collection
5. Search Commands and Functions
5.1. Search Field
5.2. Search Types
5.2.1. “Any Words” (with illustrative example & helpful hints)
5.2.2. “All Words” (with illustrative example & helpful hints)
5.2.3. “Boolean” (with illustrative examples & helpful hints)
5.2.3.1. Generally
5.2.3.2. Boolean Connectors
5.2.3.3. Special Search Term Characters
5.2.3.4. Examples
6. Linguistic Search Options
6.1. Stemming
6.2. Synonyms
6.3. Fuzzy Typo
7. Narrowing Your Search Using Filters and Other Options
7.1. The Document Categories Selected for Searching will Determine Which Options are Available
7.2. Searching Full Texts or Redacted Texts of Jurisprudence Documents
7.3. Limit Search to WTO Jurisprudence that Substantively Cites Specific WTO Provisions
7.4. Limit Search to Jurisprudence or Other Documents within a Particular Date Range
7.5. Limit Search to Specific WTO Agreements or Instruments
7.6. Limit Search to Specific Dispute Settlement Document Types
7.7. Limit Search to Specific Negotiating Group (Uruguay Round Negotiating History)
7.8. Search Result Display Options – Frequency of Hits versus Reverse Chronologically by Circulation Date
8. Search Results
8.1. Redefine Search
8.2. View Extracts
8.3. View Hits in PDF Document
11. Select Annotated Agreements
The Annotated Agreements provide comprehensive research content on specific WTO Agreements. They incorporate all of the innovative features of TradeLawGuide. Their value lies in the breadth of content, the level of detail, and the methodical structure of the annotations which are organized by subject matter. Other value-add attributes include the treatment of annotated terms, whereby terms elaborated upon by jurisprudence in one context are annotated in all other contexts within the agreement. An innovative search tool enables you to search the content of the annotations to find subject matter when you are not sure which provision of the agreement is relevant.
1. Overview
2. Structure and Content of the Annotations
3. Header Buttons (PDF, footnote display, navigation icons, font size)
3.1. PDF Download Icon
3.2. Footnote Display Options
3.3. Navigation Icons on/off
3.4. Text Size
4. Search Annotations in Document
5. Table of Contents
6. Integrated Browser
6.1. Full Citation
6.2. Pinpoint Browsing of Paragraphs and Footnotes
6.3. Integrated Jurisprudence Citator
6.4. Concise Research Summary
6.5. Extracts from Reasons (where relevant)
6.6. Key Findings (where relevant)
6.7. Links to Redacted Texts
2. Structure and Content of the Annotations
3. Header Buttons (PDF, footnote display, navigation icons, font size)
3.1. PDF Download Icon
3.2. Footnote Display Options
3.3. Navigation Icons on/off
3.4. Text Size
4. Search Annotations in Document
5. Table of Contents
6. Integrated Browser
6.1. Full Citation
6.2. Pinpoint Browsing of Paragraphs and Footnotes
6.3. Integrated Jurisprudence Citator
6.4. Concise Research Summary
6.5. Extracts from Reasons (where relevant)
6.6. Key Findings (where relevant)
6.7. Links to Redacted Texts
12. Jurisprudence
The WTO jurisprudence directory provides instant access to the complete texts of WTO reports, awards and decisions along with summaries and a link to all of the procedural documents circulated in a dispute. You can sort the documents using various options to quickly find the documents that you need.
1. Overview
2. WTO Jurisprudence Directory
2.1. Full Texts
2.2. Browse Text, Summaries and Related Procedural Documents
2.3. Default Directory – All Jurisprudence
2.4. Quick Sort Options
2.5. Detailed Sort Options and Filters
2.6. Searching the Directory
3. GATT 1947 and GATT Code Jurisprudence Directory
2. WTO Jurisprudence Directory
2.1. Full Texts
2.2. Browse Text, Summaries and Related Procedural Documents
2.3. Default Directory – All Jurisprudence
2.4. Quick Sort Options
2.5. Detailed Sort Options and Filters
2.6. Searching the Directory
3. GATT 1947 and GATT Code Jurisprudence Directory
13. Documents
The Documents Directory enables you to quickly find precedents for over 50 procedural document categories to assist in your drafting. Documents can be sorted by category and by provisions referenced within the documents.
View: PDF Manual - Documents
View: PDF Manual - Documents
1. Overview
2. Non-Jurisprudence WTO Dispute Documents
2.1. Content
2.2. Displaying the Documents by Subject/Content
2.3. Displaying Documents by Dispute
2.4. WTO Agreements & Instruments
2. Non-Jurisprudence WTO Dispute Documents
2.1. Content
2.2. Displaying the Documents by Subject/Content
2.3. Displaying Documents by Dispute
2.4. WTO Agreements & Instruments
14. Negotiating History
This download facility provides a detailed list of negotiating documents to inform you of what is available. Approximately 1700 of those documents are currently available for download. Various sorting functions enable you to quickly browse documents that could be relevant to your research.
1. Overview
2. Content
3. Filter/Sort Options
2. Content
3. Filter/Sort Options