Public Procedures

This page sets out the procedures for members of the public, Contracting Parties, officials, and other persons wishing to request legal guidance from the Office of Legal Affairs or to file applications before the Internal Court of Arbitration.

Requesting Legal Guidance

Who May Request

Any Contracting Party, official of the Organization, organ of the Organization, or, where the matter concerns the application of an instrument of the Organization to a specific person or entity, any person directly affected, may request legal guidance from the Office of Legal Affairs.

How to Submit a Request

Requests for legal guidance should be submitted in writing to the Secretary-General of the International Organization for Identity Documents, for the attention of the Office of Legal Affairs.

Requests should include, inter alia:

1. The full name and contact details of the requester;
2. The capacity in which the request is made (Contracting Party, official, organ, affected person, or other);
3. A clear and precise statement of the question or matter on which guidance is sought;
4. The relevant factual background and any documents or instruments considered pertinent;
5. The urgency of the matter, if any.

Correspondence may be submitted by post to the seat of the Organization or electronically through the official contact channels published on this website.

Processing

The Office of Legal Affairs will acknowledge receipt of all requests within a reasonable time and will advise on whether the matter falls within the scope of the Office's services, the applicable procedure, and the expected timeframe for a response.

The General Secretariat reserves the right to decline requests that fall outside the mandate of the Office, that are more appropriately addressed through other procedures, or that would require the Office to take a position on matters that are sub judice before the Internal Court of Arbitration.

Filing with the Internal Court of Arbitration

Who May File

The following persons and bodies may file applications before the Internal Court of Arbitration, in accordance with the Statute of the Court and the Rules of Court:

• Contracting Parties: in disputes with other Contracting Parties (by consent) or in disputes with the General Secretariat (compulsory jurisdiction);
• Officials of the Organization: in administrative disputes arising out of conditions of employment, termination, or disciplinary proceedings, following exhaustion of administrative remedies;
• The General Council: in Secretary-General removal proceedings, referral of Charter conflicts, and institutional disputes with the General Secretariat;
• The Secretary-General: in Charter review proceedings and referral of conflicts between instruments and the Charter;
• The General Council, the Secretary-General, or the Technical Nominations Board: in requests for advisory opinions.

Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies

In administrative disputes, an application may not be filed with the Court until all available administrative remedies have been exhausted. The application must include evidence of exhaustion of administrative remedies and must be filed within ninety days of the conclusion of those remedies.

How to File

Applications are filed by written submission addressed to the Registrar of the Internal Court of Arbitration. The application must contain, inter alia:

1. The name and address of the applicant;
2. The name and address of the respondent;
3. A statement of the facts and circumstances giving rise to the dispute;
4. The basis of the Court's jurisdiction;
5. The precise nature of the claim;
6. The relief or remedy sought;
7. Such documentary evidence as the applicant considers relevant.

The Registrar will transmit a certified copy of the application to the respondent within seven days of receipt. The respondent shall file a response within sixty days of receipt, or within such other period as the Court may fix.

Provisional Measures

A request for provisional measures may be made at any time during the proceedings. Provisional measures indicated by the Court are binding on the parties. The Court may also indicate provisional measures proprio motu where urgency requires.

Removal Proceedings

Upon referral by the General Council for Secretary-General removal proceedings, the Registrar notifies the Secretary-General and transmits the referral and supporting documents. The Secretary-General shall file a response within thirty days. The Court delivers its determination within ninety days of the referral.

Charter Review Proceedings

Upon referral by the Secretary-General, the Registrar notifies the General Council and invites submissions within thirty days. The Court delivers its determination within sixty days of the referral.

Requests for Advisory Opinions

A request for an advisory opinion shall be addressed to the Registrar in writing and shall state the precise question or questions on which the opinion is requested, the identity of the requesting body, and the relevant factual and legal background. The Court notifies all Contracting Parties and interested organs and invites written statements within a period it fixes. Advisory opinions are delivered in open session.

Time Limits

Time limits fixed by the Court are strictly observed. A party may apply to the Court for an extension, showing good cause.

Languages

Proceedings may be conducted in any official language of the Organization.

Contact for Filing

All filing correspondence should be addressed to:

The Registrar Internal Court of Arbitration International Organization for Identity Documents [Address of the Seat of the Organization]

These procedures reflect the Statute of the Internal Court of Arbitration and the Rules of Court as currently in force. They are subject to revision as those instruments are amended or as the Court adopts its own rules upon constitution.