Chambers’ international team instructed in five appeals before the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development Administrative Tribunal

Alex Haines has recently been instructed in five appeals before the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development Administrative Tribunal (EBRDAT). The EBRDAT forms part of the grievance system of the EBRD – a multilateral development bank headquartered in London and established in 1991 to help build a new post-Cold War era in Central and Eastern Europe. The EBRDAT was set up in 2002 and is the final stage of appeal for the resolution of cases submitted by members of staff alleging the non-observance of their contracts of employment or terms of appointment, and concerning dismissals and disciplinary matters.

The EBRDAT is composed of five judges, all of whom are nationals of different Member States of the EBRD. The Appeals Procedures of the EBRDAT were approved by the Board of Directors in 2006 and they govern the appellate process before it. In considering appeals the EBRDAT is not bound by English law, but by the internal law of the EBRD and generally recognised principles of international administrative law.

As such, it is one of a number of international administrative tribunals together with the World Bank Administrative Tribunal (WBAT), the International Monetary Fund Administrative Tribunal (IMFAT), the UN’s Dispute and Appeals Tribunals (UNDT and UNAT), the International Labour Organisation Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT) and the Administrative Tribunal of the Council of Europe (COEAT). Unlike the internal justice system of the UN, the EBRD does not operate a two-tier judicial system because the body sitting beneath the EBRDAT (the Administrative Review Committee) is not empowered to make decisions, instead making recommendations that can be rejected by the EBRD President.

Members of Outer Temple Chambers’ specialist international team are currently instructed in a number of cases involving several international organisations. The team’s work ranges from advisory work to training, litigation and advocacy before international courts and tribunals including the EU’s General Court, International Administrative Tribunals and LCIA arbitrations.

Alex’s practice areas include: (i) business crime and corruption; (ii) sanctions; (iii) regulatory and disciplinary proceedings; (iv) the institutional law of international organisations including their immunities and international administrative law; and (v) international arbitration.

He regularly litigates before international tribunals including in Washington DC, New York City, London and Luxembourg, involving cases with more than 25 international organisations including the UN, the World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund, the European Investment Bank, the European Development Bank for Reconstruction and the African Development Bank.

To find out more, please contact businessclerks@outertemple.com.

News 11 Jun, 2019