It administers the Dispute Settlement Mechanism and the Trade Policy Review Mechanism. 它也负责运作争端解决机制和贸易政策审议机构。
DSM is a judicial mechanism, only those governmental members can take an action according to DSU, and attorney could joint the action as a representative of the government. 争端解决机制是一个司法性机制，只有政府成员才可以在该机制中提起诉讼，但是律师可以作为政府的成员参与该机制，争端解决机构也不必然拒绝非政府机构提交的书状。
