United Nations A/RES/61/261 General Assembly Sixty-first session Agenda item 128 Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 4 April 2007 [on the report of the Fifth Committee (A/61/832)] 61/261. Administration of justice at the United Nations The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 57/307 of 15 April 2003, 59/266 of 23 December 2004 and 59/283 of 13 April 2005, Reiterating that a transparent, impartial, independent and effective system of administration of justice is a necessary condition for ensuring fair and just treatment of United Nations staff and is important for the success of human resources reform in the Organization, Affirming the importance of the United Nations as an exemplary employer, Stressing the importance of measures to eliminate any conflicts of interest in the system of administration of justice, Recognizing that the current system of administration of justice at the United Nations is slow, cumbersome, ineffective and lacking in professionalism, and that the current system of administrative review is flawed, Noting with concern that an overwhelming majority of individuals serving in the system of administration of justice lack legal training or qualifications, Noting that legal assistance to the management of the Organization is provided by a cadre of professional lawyers, Emphasizing the importance for the United Nations to have an efficient and effective system of administration of justice so as to ensure that individuals and the Organization are held accountable for their actions in accordance with relevant resolutions and regulations, Expressing its appreciation for the consensual outcome of the seventh special session of the Staff-Management Coordination Committee, Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the administration of justice in the Secretariat: implementation of resolution 59/283, 1 the report of the Redesign Panel on the United Nations system of administration of justice, 2 the note _______________ 1 2 06-51003 A/61/342. A/61/205. Distr.: General 30 April 2007

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