A/RES/57/307 2. Notes with concern that the related reports were not introduced at its fifty-sixth session, as requested in its resolution 55/258, in addition to being issued late for consideration at its current session; 3. Regrets that the present system of administration of justice in the Secretariat continues to be slow, cumbersome and costly; 4. Also regrets the serious delays in the appeals process, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure full cooperation and accountability in the internal system of justice of the department or programme manager whose decision has been challenged by the appellant, at all stages of the process; 5. Requests the Secretary-General to take steps to ensure the independence of the United Nations Administrative Tribunal and the separation of its secretariat from the Office of Legal Affairs, to study the possibility of its financial independence and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its fifty-eighth session; 6. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the administration of justice in the Secretariat,1 the report of the Joint Inspection Unit entitled “Reform of the administration of justice in the United Nations system: options for higher recourse instances”2 and the comments of the Secretary-General and those of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination thereon3 and the report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions;4 7. Endorses the recommendation of the Advisory Committee contained in paragraph 8 of its report; 8. Welcomes the initiative taken by the Secretary-General in requesting the Office of Internal Oversight Services to conduct a management review of the appeals process, and in this regard concurs with the observations and recommendations contained in paragraphs 6 and 7 of the report of the Advisory Committee; 9. Requests the Secretary-General, taking due account also of the findings of the Office of Internal Oversight Services, to submit a report containing alternatives on strengthening the administration of justice by means of ensuring transparency and fairness in the provision of justice to staff of the Organization, for consideration by the General Assembly at its fifty-eighth session; 10. Also requests the Secretary-General to entrust the Office of Internal Oversight Services with the inclusion in its report of measures to shorten the period required for the disposal of cases, including imposing deadlines at all stages of the process; 11. Further requests the Secretary-General to ensure that the Office of Internal Oversight Services includes in its report not only the procedures and functions related to the Joint Appeals Board but also those related to the Panel of Counsel, the Administrative Law Unit and the secretariats of the Joint Appeals Board and the Joint Disciplinary Committee, as well as their impact on and contribution to the administration of justice; 12. Welcomes the establishment of the post of Ombudsman to strengthen informal mechanisms for conflict resolution; 13. Also welcomes the organization of basic legal training courses for new members of the Joint Appeals Board and the Joint Disciplinary Committee, and encourages the Secretary-General to continue his efforts in this regard without additional budgetary implications; 14. Agrees that the United Nations Administrative Tribunal should be strengthened through an amendment to its statute requiring that the candidates for the Tribunal possess judicial experience in the field of administrative law or its equivalent within the 2