United Nations Appeals Tribunal

Introduction

The United Nations Appeals Tribunal (UNAT) is the highest judicial body in the internal justice system of the United Nations. Established in 2009 as part of the reform of the UN’s internal justice framework, UNAT plays a key role in upholding accountability and due process for staff members of the United Nations and entities that have accepted its jurisdiction. It hears appeals against judgments rendered by the United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT).

Fact-sheet

Statute of the United Nations Appeals Tribunal
Rules of Procedure of the UNAT

Jurisdiction & Purpose

UNAT has appellate jurisdiction over disputes concerning administrative decisions that affect the terms of appointment or employment conditions of UN staff. Its purpose is to provide a fair, independent, and transparent judicial mechanism for resolving employment-related grievances within the UN system.

UNAT hears appeals involving:

  • Disciplinary sanctions (e.g., dismissal, demotion)
  • Non-renewal or termination of contracts
  • Administrative decisions on promotions, benefits, and entitlements
  • Allegations of harassment, discrimination, and due process violations
  • Misuse of authority or irregular procedural practices

UNAT may also hear appeals from decisions of standing committees (e.g., those handling pension disputes) and other specialized administrative bodies within the UN.

Legal Framework

UNAT applies:

  • The United Nations Charter
  • Staff Regulations and Rules applicable to the entity concerned
  • General principles of international administrative law
  • Its own Statute and Rules of Procedure

The Tribunal functions under the authority of the UN General Assembly and is a core component of the system of administration of justice established by GA resolution 63/253.

Structure & Composition

UNAT consists of seven judges, elected by the UN General Assembly from a list of candidates nominated by Member States. Judges are appointed for non-renewable seven-year terms. They must possess judicial or legal qualifications and demonstrate recognized competence in administrative and international law.

UNAT panels sit in chambers of three judges, and the Tribunal is based in New York, with additional sessions held in Geneva and Nairobi, depending on the caseload.

Access to Justice & Procedure

Appeals to UNAT must be filed within 60 calendar days of receipt of the UNDT judgment or administrative decision. UNAT proceedings are primarily written, but oral hearings may be held in certain cases, particularly when factual disputes require witness testimony or clarification.

Parties may be represented by counsel from the Office of Staff Legal Assistance (OSLA), private counsel, or may represent themselves.

UNAT has the authority to:

  • Affirm, reverse, or modify UNDT judgments
  • Remand cases to the UNDT for retrial
  • Award compensation or other remedies

Its judgments are final and binding, with no further appeal within the UN system.

Judgments & Case Law

UNAT issues judgments regularly throughout the year. All judgments are publicly available on the UN’s internal justice website and are searchable by case number, party, subject, and keywords. Judgments include summaries, reasoning, legal standards applied, and the final ruling.

Notable Features
  • Final appellate authority within the UN internal justice system
  • Independent judges elected by the General Assembly
  • Transparent publication of jurisprudence
  • Access to legal representation through OSLA
  • Multilingual proceedings and decisions
Resources