Proliferation of International Administrative Tribunals

Abstract

AbstractThe first international administrative tribunal was set up in 1927. Since the Second World War many worldwide and regional international organizations were set up. They either created their own tribunal or accepted the jurisdiction of another tribunal for the adjudication of employment disputes. Dozens of such tribunals are functioning at present. Recently a number of organizations have withdrawn from the Administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organization (ILOAT), and either set up their own tribunal or accepted the jurisdiction of another tribunal, which amounts to forum shopping. However, the proliferation of tribunals entails the risk of diverging judgments. Some cases have indeed occurred over the years, which have often been followed by calls for the merging of tribunals, or for the creation of a common appellate court. Some studies were made, but no concrete action was ever undertaken. Generally, there has been some convergence; however, it is likely that the current proliferation will remain.