---
title: "Appellate Body Definition | Model Diplomat"
description: "The Appellate Body is a seven-member WTO tribunal that hears legal appeals from trade dispute rulings, crucial for international trade law."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/appellate-body"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Appellate Body is the standing seven-member tribunal of the World Trade Organization that hears appeals on points of law from panel rulings in trade disputes.
- Under which agreement and article is the Appellate Body established?
- What is the scope of the Appellate Body's review?
- Why did the Appellate Body cease to function in 2019?
- What is the MPIA and why does it matter?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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In December 2019 the WTO Appellate Body lost its quorum after the United States, under the Trump administration, blocked all new member appointments, halting appeals worldwide.

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