As an integral part of the Office of the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), the Legal Liaison Office provides advice on all legal matters arising within UNOG and United Nations funds and programmes in Geneva, in close cooperation with the Office of Legal Affairs at Headquarters.

The core functions of the Legal Liaison Office are as follows:

Providing advice to the Director-General of UNOG

Dealing with the Permanent Mission of Switzerland on host country matters

Answering legal questions from the UNOG Administration, departments and services, and United Nations funds and programmes

Coordinating with the Legal Advisers of the Geneva-based United Nations family organizations

Participating in various panels and commissions

As an ex officio member in various panels and commissions, the Senior Legal Adviser participates in the sessions of:

• The Contracts Committee
• The Property Survey Board
• The Local Claims Board
• The Central Review Committee

• The Diplomatic Committee
• The Cultural Committee.

LLO deals with permanent missions on politically sensitive matters arising from participation of government and civil society representatives at United Nations meetings and conferences, in particular:

• The Commission on Human Rights
• Press conferences
• Public information sessions
• Governing boards and councils of specialized agencies meeting at the Palais des Nations.