I was recently talking to someone writing a paper about the costs of litigating WTO disputes, so I found the following quite interesting. Commenting on the Seal Products dispute, a lawyer who would probably know these things suggests the following in relation to that case:
A WTO challenge would likely take three years and cost $10-million, said McCarthy Tétrault trade lawyer Simon Potter.
It's a Canadian lawyer and a Canadian newspaper article, so I'm assuming this was in Canadian dollars.
For more or the Seal Products dispute, see the following articles:
» Ottawa Elevates EU Ban On Seal Products To WTO | AHN Ottawa, Ontario (AHN) - Canadian Minister of International Trade Stockwell Day and Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Gail Shea are pushing their battle with the European Union over the ban on seal products by elevating the issue to the World Trade Organization as they had threatened to do on Sunday.
» EU will defend Canadian challenge to seal product ban - theParliament.com The EU will "vigorously defend" the values of EU citizens in the face of a challenge to the ban on selling seal products says MEP Arlene McCarthy.
» Seal product ban will withstand WTO challenge: EU The European Union said Tuesday it will defend its ban on seal products based on scientific evidence and legislative guidelines that should withstand Canada's challenge of the ban at the World Trade Organization.
» A $10-million fight to save $1-million hunt - The Globe and Mail Canada is launching a trade challenge of Europe's ban on marketing seal products. But protecting the seal hunt's reputation in other markets, not selling fur to Europe, is what's really at stake.
» EU bans seal product trade, Canada will go to WTO| Reuters BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The EU gave the final go-ahead on Monday for a ban on imports of seal products, prompting Canada to say it would launch a challenge at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
» AFP: Canada to take seal ban fight to WTO OTTAWA — Canada said Monday it would take its fight for the country's seal hunting industry to the World Trade Organization, vowing to appeal a European Union decision to ban imported seal products.
» Canada News Centre - Canada to Pursue WTO Consultations in Response to European Union's Seal Products Ban The Government of Canada is acting to protect the Canadian families and communities that will be hurt by the European Union’s regulation to ban trade in seal products.
» Canada appeals seal ban to WTO - canada.com OTTAWA — The Canadian government vowed to fight for the country's seal hunt industry Monday and said it will launch an appeal of the European Union's decision to ban the trade of all seal products, International Trade Minister Stockwell Day said at a news conference.
» The Canadian Press: Canada to appeal EU seal ban to World Trade Organization OTTAWA — Trade Minister Stockwell Day says Canada will go to the World Trade Organization to appeal a decision by the European Union banning imports of seal products.
» Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade - Canada Requests that the European Union Reconsider Seal Products Trade Ban Canada Requests that the European Union Reconsider Seal Products Trade Ban
» Canada appeals seal ban to WTO OTTAWA -- The Canadian government vowed to fight for the country's seal hunt industry Monday and said it will launch an appeal of the European Union's decision to ban the trade of all seal products, International Trade Minister Stockwell Day said at a news conference.
» EU bans seal product trade despite Canada warning| Reuters BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The EU gave the final go-ahead Monday for a ban on imports of seal products, except from traditional hunts by indigenous people, brushing aside Canada's threats of action at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
» Seal product ban approved by EU - cbc news The European Union has approved a ban on the import of seal products, a move that the Canadian government has said would be an unfair trade restriction.
» EU approves ban on seal products The European Union has endorsed a regulation to ban the trade of all seal products within the EU.
» The Canadian Press: Ottawa threatens WTO action if EU bans Canadian seal products OTTAWA — The federal government made a last-ditch effort Sunday to persuade European politicians to vote against a ban on Canadian seal products.
