Reform of the Administration of Justice System at the United Nations

Abstract

AbstractFor nearly six decades, the administration of justice system at the United Nations has been comprised primarily of the Joint Appeals Boards, the Joint Disciplinary Committees and the UN Administrative Tribunal. In July 2009, these bodies will be dismantled and replaced with an entirely new system. This article will first describe the basic features of the administration of justice system at the United Nations that existed prior to July 2009. It will then review the history of efforts to reform the system, leading up to the proposals of the Redesign Panel issued in August 2006. It will also look at similar initiatives implemented by other intergovernmental organizations to reform their own internal justice systems in recent years. Finally, the article will highlight the main elements of the new administration of justice system, as approved by the General Assembly in 2007-2008, and examine its implications for UN staff members in the future.