Mechanisms to settle disputes arising in the implementation and operation of a political agreement can take various forms, depending on the specific purpose for which they are established. Comparative analysis suggests that, although there is a wide spectrum of individual mechanisms, one can distinguish two principal types: political and judicial. In terms of their composition, these can be drawn purely from among the Sides or from third parties, or they can be hybrid bodies combining both. The mandates of dispute settlement mechanisms can be specific to particular (domestic or international) aspects of an agreement, or they can cover the full breadth of issues that might be disputed under the terms of an agreement. Such bodies can be set up as permanent, temporary, or ad hoc, and they can make their decisions according to different procedures.

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