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7. Each Third Party’s submission shall be reflected in the report of the Parties to the dispute shall, as a general rule, not exceed
the panel. seven months.

8. The findings and determinations of the panel cannot add to or 5. A panel reconvened pursuant to Article 19.16 (Compliance
diminish the rights and obligations under this Agreement. Review) or paragraph 13 of Article 19.17 (Compensation and
Suspension of Concessions or Other Obligations) shall, as soon
9. The panel shall consult regularly with the Parties to the dispute as practicable and whenever possible within 15 days of the date
and provide adequate opportunities for the Parties to the dispute of its reconvening, fix the timetable for the compliance review
to develop a mutually agreed solution. process taking into account the periods of time specified in Article
19.16 (Compliance Review).
10. Paragraphs 1 through 4 shall not apply to a panel reconvened
pursuant to Article 19.16 (Compliance Review) and Article 19.17 Panel Proceedings
(Compensation and Suspension of Concessions or Other
Obligations). 6. The panel shall make its findings and determinations by
consensus, provided that where the panel is unable to reach
consensus, it may make its findings and determinations by
Article 19.13: Panel Procedures majority vote. A panellist may furnish dissenting or separate
opinions on matters not unanimously agreed. Opinions
1. A panel shall adhere to this Chapter and, unless the Parties to the expressed by an individual panellist in the report shall be
dispute agree otherwise, shall follow the Rules of Procedures. anonymous.

2. On request of a Party to the dispute or on its own initiative, a panel 7. Panel deliberations shall be confidential. The Parties to the
established pursuant to Article 19.11 (Establishment and dispute and Third Parties shall be present only when invited by
Reconvening of a Panel) may, after consulting the Parties to the the panel to appear before it.
dispute, adopt additional rules of procedure which do not conflict
with this Chapter and with the Rules of Procedures. A panel 8. There shall be no ex parte communications with the panel
reconvened pursuant to Article 19.16 (Compliance Review) or concerning matters under consideration by it.
Article 19.17 (Compensation and Suspension of Concessions or
Other Obligations) may, after consulting the Parties to the dispute, Submissions
establish its own rules of procedures which do not conflict with
this Chapter and the Rules of Procedures, drawing as it deems 9. Each Party to the dispute shall have the opportunity to set out in
appropriate from this Chapter or the Rules of Procedures. writing the facts of its case, its arguments and counter arguments.
Further to paragraphs 4 and 5, the timetable fixed by the panel
3. Panel procedures should provide sufficient flexibility so as to shall include precise deadlines for submissions by the Parties to
ensure high-quality reports, while not unduly delaying the panel the dispute and Third Parties.
process.
Hearings
Timetable
10. Further to paragraphs 4 and 5, the timetable fixed by the panel
4. After consulting the Parties to the dispute, a panel established shall provide for at least one hearing for the Parties to the dispute
pursuant to Article 19.11 (Establishment and Reconvening of a to present their case to the panel. As a general rule, the timetable
Panel) shall, as soon as practicable and whenever possible within shall not provide more than two hearings unless special
15 days of the date of its establishment, fix the timetable for the circumstances exist.
panel process. The period of time from the date of establishment
of a panel until the date of issuance of the panel’s final report to

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