Call for Papers | International Conference on Crises and Solutions to Dispute Settlement System Under WTO: Submit by March 10

About NALSAR

The National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), is a public law school and a National Law University located in Shamirpet, Hyderabad, Telangana, India, and is considered as one of the best law schools in India.

It is among the first universities to offer the five-year integrated undergraduate law degree, postgraduate law degree and doctorate law degree. The university is known for its highly competitive admissions, and has an acceptance rate of 0.132 %. It has an intake of around 132 students selected from a pool of around 100,000 students in its undergraduate law programme.

About Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy Centre for International Trade And Business Laws (JJRCTIBL)

The Centre was established in September 2022 with the aim of becoming a leader in the field of trade law research which is vast and is of immense importance for a fast-growing economy like India. In the modern world, trade law is not just about trade or export-import controls or international payment mechanisms etc. it deals with a multitude of domains like transport, banking, insurance, environment, IPRs, and cyberspace to name a few. Furthermore, in recent times WTO has passed important decisions on what States can do to protect their national security interests. WTO will soon have to confront unilateral measures by members like the EU to address climate change.

Themes

This Conference is aimed at covering the following themes:

• Negotiating the history of the DSU
• Transition of the DSS from the GATT era to the WTO era
• Problems encountered in the functioning of the DSS in the WTO era
• Past attempts at reforming the DSU
• Appellate Body crisis
• The ongoing informal review process of the DSU started in 2022
• Informal v formal and multilateral setting for the reform process
• Interest-based negotiation v rights-based negotiation
• Two tier v Single tier DSS
• Compulsory v voluntary jurisdiction
• Strengthening ADR methods for resolving trade disputes
• Accessibility issues
• Guidance for adjudicators
• Accountability
• Transparency
• Simplified procedures
• Panel composition
• Compliance with DSB recommendations
• National security exception within the DSU

The topics listed above are suggestive only and not exhaustive.

About Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy Centre For International Trade And Business Laws (JJRCTIBL)

The Centre was established in September 2022 with the aim of becoming a leader in the field of trade law research which is vast and is of immense importance for a fast-growing economy like India. In the modern world, trade law is not just about trade or export-import controls or international payment mechanisms etc. it deals with a multitude of domains like transport, banking, insurance, environment, IPRs, and cyberspace to name a few.

Furthermore, in recent times WTO has passed important decisions on what States can do to protect their national security interests. WTO will soon have to confront unilateral measures by members like the EU to address climate change. Consistent with India’s active positions on these matters in other areas of international law, India must continue to engage in these important conversations at the WTO.

The Centre is intended to be a leading international trade and investment laws and policy training institution in India which shall prepare young professionals and build the capacity of key stakeholders to effectively interact and negotiate with global, regional, and national institutions and agencies.

Structure of the Conference

• Panel discussion: A panel discussion on the present crises in the DSU where the experts will express their point of view on the proposition and how do they think this situation can be addressed.
• Paper Presentation: The author/s will present their paper through a PowerPoint presentation. Each author will be given 10 minutes to present their paper the remaining 5 minutes will be a question-and-answer and guiding session by the judges. An extension of time can be granted at the judging panels’ discretion.
• Plenary sessions: There will be two plenary sessions devoted to the themes of DSU reforms. Where in the experts will deliver a lecture session which will be followed by questions from the audience.

Submission of Abstract

• Abstract must be submitted via e-mail to with the subject: “Abstract Title: [title], and Presenter’s Name”.
• All abstracts must be submitted by 10th March 2024.
• Presenters will receive a notification of the decision as to whether their abstract have been accepted by 15th March, 2024.
• Co-authorship up to two persons allowed.

Guidelines for Abstract

• Length: Maximum 500 words excluding title/cover
• Abstract to have a cover page with title and details of the authors.
• Margins: 1inch
• Font: Times New Roman, 12 points
• Spacing: 1.5

Guidelines for Paper Submission

• Length: 8000 to 10000 words excluding title/cover, references, and footnotes
• Margins: 1inch
• Font: Times New Roman, 12 points
• Spacing: 1.5
• Citation: Bluebook 21st edition.
• Footnoting: Times New Roman, 10 points

Abstract and papers are to be sent to [email protected]

Publication Output

Selected papers will be published in the form of an edited book.

Important Dates

• Call for abstract 10th February
• Last day for abstract submission 10th March, 2024
• Announcement of selected abstracts within one week of submission
• Full conference Paper submission 10th April 2024
• Date of conference 13-14th April 2024
• Last Date for Registration (Fee Submission) 1st April, 2024

Registration Fee

• Category Indian (INR)/Foreign (USD)
• Academicians/ Practitioners/ Others (For Paper Presentation to be submitted by each co-author) INR3000/ USD 200
• Students (For Paper Presentation to be submitted by each co-author) INR 2500 USD 150
• Participation Only INR 2000/ USD 150

Bank Details

• Name: REGISTRAR NALSAR UNIVERSITY OF LAW (JRCITBL)
• A/c No.7181339488
• Bank: Indian Bank, Shameerpet Branch
• IFSC Code: IDIB000S166

Contact Information

For enquires contact:

• Dr. Kapil Sharma, Assistant Professor of Law, NALSAR Mo. 8280030855; Email Id: [email protected]
• Mr. Aditya Tripathi, Research Associate, NALSAR Mo. 7060691103; Email Id: [email protected]

The brochure is here.