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

The Senior Legal Adviser:

• provides advice to the Director-General of UNOG, in his capacity as the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General at Geneva and Chief Executive of UNOG, on legal questions concerning his activities, contacts and statements,

• represents the Director-General in various meetings of a legal nature.

The Legal Liaison Office also provides advice to, and cooperates with, all other services of the Office of the Director-General (i.e. the Chef de Cabinet, the Office of Political Affairs, the Protocol and Liaison Office, and the Non-Governmental Organizations Liaison Office).

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

Cooperating with permanent missions

Liaison with the Office of Legal Affairs in New York

Organizing and conducting the International Law Seminar

ILS is convened on an annual basis within the framework of the International Law Commission. As Director of the International Law Seminar (ILS), the Senior Legal Adviser is responsible for fund-raising, selecting participants, organizing the three-week programme and daily follow-up of the activities of participants. This also includes budget management of the ILS Trust Fund and related certifying officer responsibilities. This Trust Fund should provide 17/18 fellowships to the participants in the Seminar through voluntary contributions from Governments.

Providing administrative support to the International Law Commission