NATO Administrative Tribunal

Overview

NATO’s dispute resolution system was created in accordance with the Agreement on the Status of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, National Representatives and International Staff, done at Ottawa on 20 September 1951, in particular its Article XXIV. The NATO Appeals Board, the predecessor body of the NATO Administrative Tribunal, was created in 1965 and remained operational under the same legal framework for over 40 years.

In 2011 the North Atlantic Treaty Council decided to conduct a thorough review of its dispute resolution system in view of its modernization. 

On 23 January 2013, the North Atlantic Council approved amendments to its Civilian Personnel Regulations and established, inter alia, with effect from 1 July 2013, the Administrative Tribunal of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (AT).  

The AT is an independent body and is competent to decide any individual dispute brought by a staff member or a member of the retired NATO staff or his or her legal successor, who is affected by a decision, which is allegedly not in compliance with the Civilian Personnel Regulations or the terms of his appointment with the Organization (PDF/4713Kb).

The AT conducts hearings and renders binding judgments. 

The AT is served by a Registry office whose personnel is in the discharge of his/her duties responsible only to the Tribunal.