<div dir="ltr">Hello Ashok, please find inside lines in red color, authors response to your concerns :<br><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">2017-06-19 1:34 GMT+00:00 Ashok Radhakissoon <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:ashok@afrinic.net" target="_blank">ashok@afrinic.net</a>></span>:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<br>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u><u></u>To the Attention of the Co
-Chairs-PDWG<br>
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
I refer to the proposed" Internet Number Resources Review" policy
and
specifically to my observations thereon from a legal perspective.<b>(
attached
here)</b><br>
Indeed I made two assessments. The first was for the first version
of the said
proposal </p></div></blockquote><div><br><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">Your first assessment is very inspiring and can be seen at <a href="https://afrinic.net/community/policy-development/policy-proposals/1947-internet-number-resources-review-by-afrinic#assessment" target="_blank">https://afrinic.net/<wbr>community/policy-development/<wbr>policy-proposals/1947-<wbr>internet-number-resources-<wbr>review-by-afrinic#assessment</a></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">It says:</span></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><br><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">Legal:</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">
<i>The RSA is a community approved document and all members are bound by
each and every clause thereof once they sign the agreement. It is a
contract where both parties subscribe to clear obligations.</i></span></div><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">
In application of the law of contract of Mauritius as found in
Article 1134 of the Mauritius Civil Code Section 4, the RSA is already
binding, as a result on all members who sign the agreement.</span></i></div><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">
It is perfectly lawful , in terms of the application of the Mauritius
Civil Code , for AFRINIC to act under the said section and reclaim
resources from those members who/which fail an audit/review exercise.</span></i></div><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">
The policy can do no more than allow AFRINIC to do what it is already
doing in a clear and transparent manner on the basis of a community
approved document</span></i></div><br> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p class="MsoNormal">and the second was for the amended versions thereof.<br></p></div></blockquote><div><br><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">It will be good if you could point out the amendments and how they bring some potential risks</span><br> <br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p class="MsoNormal">
Whilst my first observation rested on the contractual aspect of
the RSA
and the contractual obligation of members to comply thereto-<b>See
clause 4 of
the RSA. </b>My second assessment was made from the perspective
of the
implementation of the proposal.<br></p></div></blockquote><div><br><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">As there is no legal concerns about adopting a policy to implement
contractual obligations set by the RSA and allocations/assignment
policies, it sounds good to discuss implementation.</span><br> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p class="MsoNormal">
As these assessments were submitted by AFRINIC to the authors in
good time
before the face to face discussion thereon, I expected that they
were to be
considered as a fourth version of the proposal was presented.<br></p></div></blockquote><div><br><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">Just for records: version 4 was submitted on April 11, Second staff and legal assessment was published on April 26</span><br> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p class="MsoNormal">
To all intents and purposes, it is my humble opinion that the
legal issues were
not addressed by the authors nor did you draw attention to them
during the face
to face meeting.<br></p></div></blockquote><div><br><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">Authors responded to this second assessment on the mailing list. See <a href="https://lists.afrinic.net/pipermail/rpd/2017/006889.html" target="_blank">https://lists.afrinic.net/<wbr>pipermail/rpd/2017/006889.html</a> and spoke about them in the presentation made during the PPM</span><br> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p class="MsoNormal">
I believed that since the assessments were part of the record for
the purposes
of discussions and consideration, I did not draw the attention of
the working
group to them.<br>
I am now doing so.<br></p></div></blockquote><div><br><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">Thank you. We believe this give the working Group and yourself a single opportunity to progress and close this issues. </span><br> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p class="MsoNormal">
I reiterate that the proposal, as submitted and later amended,
would
expose AFRINIC to potential legal suits if the following issues
which I have
raised in my assessment are not addressed.<br></p></div></blockquote><div><br><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">See below</span></div><br> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p class="MsoNormal">
1- The testing of data/facts/ evidence submitted( by third
parties) to staff <span> </span>require
the latter to verify<span> </span>the
veracity/admissibility/<wbr>authenticity
thereof.If AFRINIC was to act on these, and they later reveal
themselves to be
forged/untrue/inadmissible/, AFRINIC may potentially face civil
suits at the
behest of members from whom resources would have been recovered
and which could
have been prejudicial to them(members). </p></div></blockquote><div><br><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">You point to Third parties with “data/facts/evidence
submitted by (third Parties) to staff. You are then referring to
section 13.3.2(b) below</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span></div><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">13.3.2 Selected</span></i></div><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">A member is selected because of an internal report or due to a lack of contact between the AFRINIC and the member.</span></i></div><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">13.3.3 Reported: Here, members are reviewed either because:</span></i></div><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><span class="gmail-m_3860612728808385680Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>a.<span class="gmail-m_3860612728808385680Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>They have requested the review themselves or;</span></i></div><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><span class="gmail-m_3860612728808385680Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>b.<span class="gmail-m_3860612728808385680Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>There
has been a community complaint made against them that warrants
investigation. Complaints shall be backed by evidence and AFRINIC staff
shall evaluate the facts as appropriate to conduct the review. However,
this review is not applicable to a member with the same resources
portfolio on which a full review has been completed in the preceding 24
months.</span></i></div><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span></i></div><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span></i></div><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">Staff
shall evaluate the facts at their discretion just to know if the
complaint is worth establishing a review. The decision to run a review
in all cases fall under RSA and policies provisions. </span></i></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span></div><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">section 4 (iii) of RSA</span></i></div><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span></i></div><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">Further acknowledges that AFRINIC may at its own discretion and for good cause and </span></i></div><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">common Interest of the stability of the Internet, investigate or cause to be investigated, the Applicant’s </span></i></div><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">use of the services by the appropriate and competent authority(ies).</span></i></div><div dir="auto"></div><br> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p class="MsoNormal">I also referred to the
problem of
multi-jurisdictional sources of evidence/facts etc<br></p></div></blockquote><div><br><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">No need for a legal document/evidence as explain above.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">But
in case this would be needed, one could expect the company legal
counsel to guide the organization as how it works by default.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">AFRINIC
already deals with evidences/Facts from members and potential members
when evaluating request for allocations and additional allocations. <br></span></div><br> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p class="MsoNormal">
2- The authors must pronounce themselves on whether members should
have
recourse to sworn affidavits or go through the services of a
commissioner of
oath or propose any other modus to enable the staff of AFRINIC to
undertake the
testing exercise <b>on the basis of reliable evidence,</b> before
embarking
upon a review process. <br></p></div></blockquote><div><br><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">RSA does not require sworn affidavit to provide information to staff</span><br> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p class="MsoNormal">
3-My remarks would apply for the two "classes" of review-
complaints
from community- AFRINIC's own decision- <br></p></div></blockquote><div><br><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">this is addressed above</span><br> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p class="MsoNormal">
4- I have also not seen the stand of the authors regarding the
fact as to the
"arbiration award" being unequivocal and my observation related to
an
incompatibility with the Code of Civil Procedure of Mauritius.<br></p></div></blockquote><div><br><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">There seems to be some confusions and misunderstandings here. Below is again the text of the appeal procedure:</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span></div><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">13.5 Appeal procedure</span></i></div><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span></i></div><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">The review shall be conducted in full transparency and neutrality.</span></i></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span></div><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">Reviewed members who are not satisfied have the right to appeal against the result. </span></i></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span></div><div dir="auto"><i><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">Appeals
shall follow an arbitration process as defined by AFRINIC, which shall
publish the process and the pool of arbitrators whom shall be
knowledgeable volunteers from the community. The outcome of the
arbitration process is unequivocal.</span></i></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">It
is about an appeal against the result of the audit. Nothing more. An
appeal process as we do have for example in the section 3.5 of the CPM.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">The
Arbitration process to be defined by AFRINIC “must” only cover appeals
against the results of review and not appeal against actions taken by
AFRINIC after a review.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">This
must be separated from any dispute which may arise from action taken by
AFRINIC as results of a review or other mechanisms which shall follow
the Number Resource Dispute Resolution of AFRINIC as shown at this
URL. <a href="https://www.nro.net/about-the-nro/rir-governance-matrix/#disputes" target="_blank">https://www.nro.net/about-the-<wbr>nro/rir-governance-matrix/#<wbr>disputes</a></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span></div><div dir="auto"><b><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">So
question is “ is section 13 of the RSA incompatible with the Code of
Civil procedure of Mauritius” ?. But this discussion does not fall
under this policy proposal</span></b></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><br> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p class="MsoNormal">
5- I also raised the issue of " hearing" the investigated party<b>(
a
requirement of the rules of natural justice)</b> and expressly
stated that the
proposal does not provide anything in this regard.<br></p></div></blockquote><div><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">Policies and RSA provide mechanisms for staff to conduct
review of allocation/assignment requests and allocated resources
usage. This policy proposal does not need to define any other
mechanisms.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">Investigated party must collaborate and provide information required by AFRINIC.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">Afrinic does not conduct hearings with requesting members, so not required <br></span></div><br> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p class="MsoNormal">
6-The question of choice of jurisdiction wherein the arbitration
be
held-Would it always be Mauritius ? This is the law that applies
to the RSA.<br></p></div></blockquote><div><br><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">As stated above, the Arbitration this policy proposal refers to does not require jurisdiction.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><br></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">Choice
of jurisdiction according to the RSA is Mauritius, and we expect this
to apply to Number Resource Dispute Resolution as defined in the RSA</span></div><br> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p class="MsoNormal">
In the light of the above ,may I request the Co-Chairs to consider
same and
consequently decide, whether further discussions are required on
this proposal.<br></p></div></blockquote><div><br><div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">Hope the above clarify things and address your concerns</span></div><br> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p class="MsoNormal">
I thank you for you kind consideration.<br>
Ashok.B.Radhakissoon<br>
Afrinic-Legal Adviser.<br>
<br>
<br></p></div></blockquote><div><br></div><div>Warm Regards <br><br></div><div>Arnaud A. A. A. <br></div><div>Active Community member ;) <br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p class="MsoNormal">
</p>
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