De Minimis Law is proud to announce its inclusion in the Advisory Centre on WTO Law's (ACWL) prestigious external counsel roster, joining a select group of international law firms and practitioners recognized for their specialized expertise in World Trade Organization dispute settlement proceedings.

A significant milestone in international trade law

The ACWL, established in 2001 as an independent intergovernmental organization, serves as a cornerstone institution in the global trading system. Based in Geneva near the WTO headquarters, the Centre provides critical legal assistance to developing countries, least-developed countries (LDCs), and economies in transition, enabling them to fully participate in the rules-based multilateral trading system.

Being selected for the ACWL's external counsel roster represents a significant professional achievement. The roster consists of carefully vetted law firms and individual practitioners who meet rigorous criteria established by the ACWL Management Board. These external counsel serve a vital function when conflicts of interest prevent the Centre's in-house staff from representing multiple parties in the same proceeding, ensuring that all eligible countries receive high-quality legal representation.

The strategic importance of external counsel

The external counsel system addresses a growing reality in international trade law: WTO dispute settlement proceedings between developing countries are increasingly common. When the ACWL cannot directly represent all parties due to conflicting interests, the Centre's external counsel roster ensures continuity of high-quality legal services. This mechanism is particularly crucial given that WTO law encompasses a complex web of over 20 agreements covering more than 20,000 pages, plus decades of jurisprudence contained in hundreds of panel and Apellate Body reports.

The significance of this system cannot be overstated. As research has shown, legal capacity constraints have historically limited developing countries' ability to enforce their WTO rights. The ACWL's external counsel roster helps bridge this gap by providing access to specialized expertise at rates that make WTO dispute settlement accessible to countries that might otherwise lack the resources to pursue complex international trade litigation.

Expertise that matters

Inclusion in the ACWL external counsel roster requires demonstrated experience in WTO dispute settlement proceedings and deep expertise in international trade law. The selection process reflects the Centre's commitment to maintaining the highest professional standards while serving its core mission of enhancing legal capacity for developing countries and LDCs.

This achievement reflects De Minimis Law's established track record in public international law, with particular emphasis on WTO dispute settlement procedures, international economic law, and evidence in international adjudication. Our expertise spans both the substantive and procedural aspects of WTO law, from understanding multilateral trade agreements to navigating the dispute settlement process established under the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU).

Contributing to global trade justice

The ACWL's mission extends beyond mere legal representation. As an institution, it serves as a crucial equalizer in the international trading system, ensuring that the benefits of WTO membership - including access to binding adjudication for trade disputes - are available to all members regardless of their economic resources. By joining the external counsel roster, De Minimis Law becomes part of this broader mission to strengthen the multilateral trading system's legitimacy and accessibility.

The Centre's work has proven its value over more than two decades of operation. Since 2001, the ACWL has enabled developing and least-developed countries to understand and participate meaningfully in the WTO legal system, thereby enhancing the credibility of the entire system. The external counsel roster extends this impact by expanding the pool of qualified practitioners available to serve eligible countries.

Looking forward

This recognition positions De Minimis Law within the premier network of international trade law practitioners while enabling us to contribute directly to ensuring equitable access to justice in the multilateral trading system. We view this opportunity not only as professional recognition but as a responsibility to support the ACWL's vital work in building legal capacity for countries that have historically faced barriers to full participation in international trade disputes.

As WTO dispute settlement continues to evolve and developing countries play increasingly active roles in the global trading system, the external counsel roster serves as a crucial resource for maintaining the system's integrity and accessibility. We are honored to contribute our expertise to this mission and look forward to supporting the ACWL's continued efforts to strengthen the rule of law in international trade.

About De Minimis Law: De Minimis Law is a boutique international law firm specializing in international commercial arbitration, WTO/international trade law, and the public international law aspects of ESG issues. The firm provides expert legal counsel to governments, international organizations, and private sector clients on complex matters relating to these areas.

About the ACWL: The Advisory Centre on WTO Law is an intergovernmental organization established in 2001 to provide legal advice, support in dispute settlement proceedings, and training on WTO law to developing countries, LDCs, and economies in transition. Based in Geneva, the ACWL serves 37 member countries and provides services to all LDCs regardless of membership status.