2024-UNAT-1409 | SYSTEM OF ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE

2024-UNAT-1409, Lillian Ular

UNAT Held or UNDT Pronouncements

The UNAT held that the former staff member failed to provide evidence to prove entitlement to compensation for harm suffered. In particular, the UNAT found that no evidence was submitted proving a nexus between the illegality committed and any harm suffered by the former staff member as a result. The UNAT highlighted that the medical report submitted by the former staff member recorded that she had complained of lack of sleep and headaches “for several years” and that such symptoms were consistent with a previous diagnosed medical condition.

As to the costs of the appeal, since there was no abuse of process before the UNAT, it found that there was therefore no basis on which to justify an award of costs.

The UNAT dismissed the appeal and affirmed Judgment No. UNDT/2023/001.

Decision Contested or Judgment Appealed

The Appellant, a former staff member with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) contested several decisions of the Administration, including the mishandling of a complaint of sexual harassment. In its Judgment No. UNDT/2020/221, the UNDT found that the Administration abused its authority in mishandling her sexual harassment complaint but rejected her request for moral damages in this regard.

The former staff member appealed, seeking, inter alia, an award of damages. In its Judgment No. 2022-UNAT-1212, the UNAT granted her appeal in part and remanded the specific issue of compensation for harm to the UNDT for reconsideration.

In its Judgment No. UNDT/2023/001, the UNDT rejected the former staff member’s application for consideration of moral damages.

Former staff member appealed.

Legal Principle(s)

Three elements must be proved in order for compensation for harm to be awarded to a staff member, namely: (i) an illegality; (ii) the harm itself; and (iii) a nexus between these two requirements. The claimant bears an additional burden to adduce sufficient evidence to prove that the illegality caused moral injury or harm that should be compensated.

Compensation must be determined following a principled approach and on a case-by-case basis.

Outcome

Appeal dismissed on merits

OAJ prepared this case law summary for informational purposes only. It is no official record and should not be relied upon as an authoritative interpretation of the Tribunals' rulings. For the authoritative texts, please refer to the judgment or order rendered by the respective Tribunal. The Tribunals are the only bodies competent to interpret their respective judgments, as provided under Article 12(3) of the UNDT Statute and Article 11(3) of the UNAT Statute. Any inaccuracies in the publication are the sole responsibility of OAJ, which should be contacted directly for any correction requests. To provide comments, don't hesitate to get in touch with OAJ at oaj@un.org.

The judgment summaries were generally prepared in English. They were translated into French and are being reviewed for accuracy of the translation.

Full Judgment

Applicants/ Appellants

Lillian Ular

Entity

MONUSCO

Case Number(s)

2023-1790

Tribunal

UNAT

Registry Location :

New York