WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/DS139/4
WT/DS142/4
1 October 1999
(99-4084)
Original:  English
CANADA – CERTAIN MEASURES AFFECTING THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
Communication from the Chairman of the Panel
The following communication, dated 30 September 1999, addressed to the Dispute Settlement
Body, is circulated in accordance with Article 12.9 of the DSU.
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Article 12.8 of the DSU stipulates that the period in which a panel shall conduct its
examination, from the date that the composition and terms of reference of the panel have been agreedupon until the date that the final report is issued to the parties shall, as a general rule, not exceed six
months.
Article 12.9 of the DSU states that when a panel considers that it cannot issue its report within
six months, it shall inform the Dispute Settlement B ody (DSB) in writing of the reasons for the delay,
together with an estimate of the period within which it will issue its report.
The Panel on "Canada – Certain Measures Affecting the Automotive Industry" was
established by the DSB on 1 February 1999.  The Director-General composed the Panel, pursuant to
Article 8.7 of the DSU, on 25 March 1999.
It now appears that due to the complex nature of the case, it will not be possible for the Panel
to complete its work within the six months referred  to in Article 12.8 of the DSU.  Accordingly, and
in line with Appendix 3 of the DSU, the Panel has adjusted the calendar and now expects to issue the
final report to the parties by mid-November 1999.
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