Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT Held or Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT Pronouncements
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT held that it was not satisfied that the essential elements were present to enable Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT to exercise its jurisdiction within the meaning of Article 2(10) of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT Statute in regard to the decision of IMO SAB. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT held that in this case, even if the SAB issued decision, it was nevertheless only advisory or recommendatory. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT noted that the SAB gave advice to the Secretary-General of IMO, who could not be regarded as a neutral part of the process as he is both the employer¡¯s representative and the original decision-maker. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT held that it was the Secretary-General of IMO, who was not a neutral first instance, who took the final decision. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT remanded the matter of the appeal to the IMO SAB under Article 2(10) of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT Statute for reconsideration and decision, noting that the Respondent must comply with its due process obligations.
Decision Contested or Judgment/Order Appealed
The staff member contested the decision of the Secretary-General of IMO not to reclassify his post, a decision taken upon the recommendation of the Classification Committee and the subsequent recommendation from the Staff Appeals Board (SAB).
Legal Principle(s)
Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT is competent to hear appeals from an international organisation or other entities participating in the common system of conditions of service where a special agreement has been concluded which accepts the jurisdiction of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT; however, such a special agreement may only be concluded where the organisation or entity utilises a neutral first instance process that includes a written record and written decision providing reasons, fact and law.