Inspection Panel

The Panel's method of functioning is laid out in Operating Procedures developed by the Panel members to implement the resolutions of the Bank's board of executive directors (the Board) that created the Panel.2 Because this is the first body of its kind to give voice to private citizens in an international context, the Panel's operational procedures and its operations need to be innovative and fluid.

Twelve formal requests have been received since Panel operations began in September 1994. The texts of these Panel reports are publicly available.

Who can file a request?  At minimum, requesters must show in writing that:

They live in the project area (or represent people who do) and are likely to be affected adversely by project activities. They believe that actual or likely harm results from failure by the Bank to follow its policies and procedures. Their concerns have been discussed with Bank management and they are not satisfied with the outcome. 

Processing Requests

Requests for Inspection are processed as follows:

The Panel receives a request and decides whether the request is within its mandate. The Panel sends the request to Bank Management, who prepare a response to the allegations and submit it to the Panel. The Panel makes a preliminary review of the request, conducts and independent assessment of the merits of Bank Management's response to it, and recommends to the Board whether the claims should be investigated. If the Board approves a recommendation to investigate, the Panel proceeds with the investigation.

When the Panel finishes an investigation, it sends its findings to the Board and to Bank Management.  Bank Management then has six weeks to submit its recommendations to the Board on what actions the Bank should take in response to the Panel's findings.  Based on the Panel's findings and Bank Management's recommendations, the Board takes the final decision on what should be done. 

Please visit the Inpection Panel website for more information.