Legal Group

1
Legal Group

• Report to the UN/CEFACT Plenary
• Chair Usva Kuusiholma (Finland)
• Vice-Chair Bart Schermer (Netherlands)

2
Legal Group purpose

• The purpose of the Legal Group (LG) is to ensure
  that the legal aspects of electronic business and
  international trade facilitation are considered
  in the work of the UN/CEFACT. To this end the
  Legal Group analyses current legal processes and
  issues within the mission and objectives of
  UN/CEFACT, identifies legal constraints that
  adversely affect the mission and objectives of
  the Centre, and proposes practical improvements
  to these legal processes and issues.

3
LG activities

• Unified Business agreements and contract (UBAC)
• Recommendation 35 Single Window Framework
• Review of current recommendations
• Strengthening ties with UNCITRAL
• http//www.uncefactforum.org/LG/LG.htm

4
LG activities in 2006/7

• Meetings in Dehli and Dublin
• Additional meetings in Vienna (UNCITRAL) and
  Helsinki (SWF)
• Monthly conference calls

5
UBAC

• Cooperation with TMG / Business Proces Working
  Group Reached phase 2 of the ODP

6
Rec. 35

• Met with several SW operators to discuss legal
  issues
• Finalized draft text of the recommendation

7
UNCITRAL

• Vital to work of legal group
• Enlist help of UNCITRAL experts
• Participated in UNCITRAL expert group on
  e-signatures
• Will present the LG work (SWF) on UNCITRAL
  congress

8
Cause for concern?

• Core Group (FIN(?), US, NL)
• Limited secretarial support
• Limited participation from LG members
• Work of the LG can be speeded up with proper
  support and commitment!