Reformation of the Iraqi legal system by the Coalition Provisional Authority after 2003 as an attempt towards WTO affiliation

Abstract

The World Trade Organization (WTO) plays an important role in the establishment of trade relations between its member nations through multilateral international trade agreements, which are considered an important source of international law that regulate commercial transactions, and reduce impediments to international trade among its members. Therefore, countries that are yet to join this organization continually attempt to do so. Thus, it is not in Iraq’s interest to remain outside the scope of the organization. This analytical study investigates the role of the Coalition Provisional Authority after 2003 and the fall of the Baath regime in the reformation of the Iraqi law system, especially with regard to commercial laws and Iraq’s integration with the international economic system following its accession to the WTO. The article concludes that these Coalition-led amendments to Iraqi laws laid the legal foundations for the opening of the Iraqi market. It argues that despite the continuation of this approach and the amendment of laws by the Iraqi parliament and government, there remain some legal obstacles to Iraq’s accession to the WTO. The study also suggests the existence of laws that are yet to be passed or amended.