Role of Consultations: Art. 4-法搜-中国法律信息搜索网

　‘Consultations are
　　　　 a matter reserved for the parties. The DSB is not involved; no panel is involved; and the consultations are held in the absence of the Secretariat. While a mutually agreed solution is to be preferred, in some cases it is not possible for parties to agree upon one. In those cases, it is our view that the function of a panel is only to ascertain that the consultations, if required, were in fact held.
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　We do not wish to imply that we consider consultations unimportant. Quite the contrary, consultations are a critical and integral part of the DSU. But, we have no mandate to investigate the adequacy of the consultation process that took place between the parties and we decline to do so in the present case.”
　On the other hand, the Appellate Body in Mexico-HFCS（DS132）（21.5）rules that, “as a general matter, consultations are a prerequisite to panel proceedings. However, this general proposition is subject to certain limitations.” The Appellate Body Report reads there:5
　“Article 4 of the DSU sets forth a number of other provisions with respect to consultations. We recall that, in our Report in Brazil - Aircraft, we observed that:
　Articles 4 and 6 of the DSU, as well as paragraphs 1 to 4 of Article 4 of the SCM Agreement, set forth a process by which a complaining party must request consultations, and consultations must be held, before a matter may be referred to the DSB for the establishment of a panel.
　The general process that we described in that case also applies in disputes brought under other covered agreements. Thus, as a general matter, consultations are a prerequisite to panel proceedings. However, this general proposition is subject to certain limitations. For example, Article 4.3 of the DSU provides:
　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.