A/RES/65/251
I
System of administration of justice
4.
Notes with appreciation the achievements produced since the inception
of the new system of administration of justice in regard to both the disposal of the
backlog and the addressing of new cases, despite the numerous difficulties faced
during the implementation of the new system of administration of justice;
Commends the efforts of all who were involved in managing the transition
5.
from the previous internal justice system and those involved in the implementation
and functioning of the new system of administration of justice;
Emphasizes the importance of the principle of judicial independence in
6.
the system of administration of justice;
7.
Reaffirms its decision, contained in paragraph 4 of resolution 61/261, to
establish a new, independent, transparent, professionalized, adequately resourced
and decentralized system of administration of justice consistent with the relevant
rules of international law and the principles of the rule of law and due process to
ensure respect for the rights and obligations of staff members and the accountability
of managers and staff members alike;
Acknowledges the evolving nature of the new system of administration of
8.
justice and the need to carefully monitor its implementation;
9.
Stresses that all elements of the new system of administration of justice
must work in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the legal and
regulatory framework approved by the General Assembly;
10. Also stresses the importance of ensuring access for all staff members to
the new system of administration of justice, regardless of their duty station;
II
Informal system
11. Recognizes that the informal system of administration of justice is an
efficient and effective option for staff who seek redress of grievances;
12. Reaffirms that the informal resolution of conflict is a crucial element of
the system of administration of justice, and emphasizes that all possible use should
be made of the informal system in order to avert unnecessary litigation;
13. Notes the increase of approximately 70 per cent, in the period from 2009
to 2010, in the number of cases received from United Nations Secretariat staff,
including staff in field operations;
14. Also notes that the delayed response of departmental heads to the
grievances of and issues raised by staff has an impact in respect of increasing the
number of cases before the formal system of administration of justice;
15. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure that management responds to
requests from the Ombudsman and Mediation Services in a timely manner, taking
into account paragraphs 129 and 130 of the report of the Secretary-General on the
activities of the Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services,2
and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its sixty-sixth session;
16. Decides to fix the term of the United Nations Ombudsman at five years,
with the possibility of renewal for one additional term, and requests the Secretary2