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

The core functions of the Legal 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 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 Political Affairs and Partnerships Section, the NGO Liaison Unit and the Protocol and Liaison Service).


Dealing with the Permanent Mission of Switzerland on host country matters

Answering legal questions from UNOG's Division of Administration, various departments and services, and Geneva offices of United Nations funds and programmes

Coordinating with the Legal Advisers of the Geneva-based international organizations

Participating in various panels and commissions

Liaison with the Office of Legal Affairs in New York

Organizing and conducting the International Law Seminar

Providing administrative support to the International Law Commission