REPRESENTATION
WHO MAY REPRESENT INDIVIDUALS BEFORE Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT?
An individual may be an ¡°appellant¡± and file an appeal before Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT and may also be considered the ¡°respondent¡± when filing an answer to an appeal. Any individual who either has or will have a case before Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT may represent him- or herself or seek legal or non-legal representation in his or her case before Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT. Individuals are strongly encouraged to consider the advantages of obtaining assistance and/or representation before proceeding. Parties with representation must submit a signed authorization form. The Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT Registry will direct official communications to the representative¡¯s attention only.
SELF-REPRESENTATION
Individuals may represent themselves before Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT, regardless of whether they were self-represented or had representation prior to Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT proceedings.
Toolkit for self-represented litigants (Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT) ¨C interactive video
Toolkit for self-represented litigants (Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT) ¨C text
LEGAL REPRESENTATION
OFFICE OF STAFF LEGAL ASSISTANCE (OSLA):
Some individuals with proceedings before Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT may seek legal assistance and representation from OSLA. Individuals from Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA, ICAO, IFAD, IMO, ISA, ITLOS, and UPU are not eligible for legal assistance from OSLA unless a claim is related to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµJSPF. Individuals from Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA may seek the assistance of counsel from Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA¡¯s Legal Office of Staff Assistance (LOSA). For more information on OSLA¡¯s services and whom they serve, please visit the OSLA website.
PRIVATE COÄ¢¹½ÊÓÆµSEL:
Individuals may obtain outside private counsel, who are authorized to practice law in a national jurisdiction. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT does not cover or reimburse parties for the fees and/or expenses incurred by hiring outside private counsel.
REPRESENTATION BY CURRENT OR FORMER STAFF MEMBER
Individuals may be represented before Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT by a current or former staff member, including by a member of a staff union. This representative is not required to be authorized to practice law in a national jurisdiction, as is required for outside private counsel, nor required to have legal training or background.
WHO REPRESENTS THE AGENCY, ENTITY, OR ORGANIZATION BEFORE Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT?
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his role as the Chief Administrative Officer of the United Nations may be an appellant and therefore file appeals before Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT. The Secretary-General may also be considered the respondent when filing an answer to an appeal. The Legal Counsel at the Office of Legal Affairs serves to represent the Secretary-General in matters before Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT. Similarly, the Commissioner-General of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA serves as the appellant or respondent and is represented by Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA¡¯s legal office. The legal offices within the agencies, entities or organizations over which Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT has appellate jurisdiction likewise represent their respective agencies, entities, or organizations before Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT.
The Chief Executive Officer of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund serves to represent the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Board in appeals before Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT.
