Public Comment

Public Comment is a vital part of our multistakeholder model. It provides a mechanism for stakeholders to have their opinions and recommendations formally and publicly documented. It is an opportunity for the ICANN community to effect change and improve policies and operations.

Expert Recommended Improvements to ICANN's Accountability Structures

Comment/Reply Periods (*) Important Information Links
Comment Open: 26 October 2012
Comment Close: 16 November 2012
Close Time (UTC): 23:59 UTC Public Comment Announcement
Reply Open: 17 November 2012 To Submit Your Comments (Forum Closed)
Reply Close: 8 December 2012 View Comments Submitted
Close Time (UTC): 23:59 UTC Report of Public Comments
Brief Overview
Originating Organization: ICANN Board
Categories/Tags: Transparency/Accountability
Purpose (Brief): To receive comments on the recommended enhancements to ICANN's Reconsideration Process and Independent Review Process provided by the Accountability Structures Expert Panel (ASEP). The ASEP, that was formed in fulfillment of the Accountability and Transparency Review Team Recommendations 23 and 25, developed these recommendations after a series of work sessions and discussions at ICANN's public meeting in Toronto. ICANN is also providing draft Bylaws revisions that would give effect to the ASEP's recommendations.
Current Status: The ASEP Recommendations and corresponding proposed Bylaws revisions are ready for community consideration and input.
Next Steps: The community input will be provided to the ASEP to consider if refinement is needed. The ASEP's recommendations and the community input will be provided to the Board for consideration.
Staff Contact: Samantha Eisner, Senior Counsel Email: Samantha.Eisner@icann.org
Detailed Information
Section I: Description, Explanation, and Purpose

Recommendations 23 and 25 of the Accountability and Transparency Review Team called for ICANN to convene a group of experts to review ICANN's accountability structures, including the Reconsideration Process and the Independent Review Process. In response, ICANN convened the Accountability Structures Expert Panel (ASEP). The ASEP is comprised of three international experts in the fields of corporate governance, accountability, judicial review and international dispute resolution.

The ASEP has produced a report containing recommended enhancements and refinements to ICANN's Reconsideration Process and Independent Review Panel, with a focus on effectiveness, efficiency, ease of access and expeditious resolution, as well as maintaining and enhancing ICANN's accountability to the community and the global public interest. Prior to issuing the report, the ASEP has maintained an open comment period and interacted with the community at ICANN's public meeting in Toronto.

In the event that the ASEP's recommendations are accepted by the Board, the ICANN Bylaws will have to be amended to give effect to the recommendations. To that end, proposed Bylaws amendments are also provide for community review and comment.

Section II: Background
ICANN's Reconsideration and Independent Review Processes have been in place for a number of years. Information on the current Reconsideration Process is available at http://www.icann.org/en/groups/board/governance/reconsideration, and documentation of the two Independent Review Processes to date is available at http://www.icann.org/en/news/irp.
Section III: Document and Resource Links

ICANN is seeking comment on the following documents:

Section IV: Additional Information
None

(*) Comments submitted after the posted Close Date/Time are not guaranteed to be considered in any final summary, analysis, reporting, or decision-making that takes place once this period lapses.