Legal Definitions - diplomatic corps

The diplomatic corps refers to the entire body of official representatives from one country who are stationed in another country's capital city. This group typically includes the ambassador, who serves as the head of the diplomatic mission (e.g., an embassy), along with various other diplomats, counselors, attachés, and administrative staff. Their collective purpose is to manage and facilitate relations between their home government and the host country.

Here are some examples illustrating the diplomatic corps:

• Example 1: New Ambassador's Arrival
  When the newly appointed Ambassador from Canada arrives in Berlin to take up their post, they are accompanied by a team of political counselors, economic attachés, and cultural officers, all assigned to the Canadian Embassy. This entire group, from the Ambassador to the specialized staff, forms Canada's diplomatic corps in Germany.

  Explanation: This scenario demonstrates the diplomatic corps as the complete set of official personnel sent by the Canadian government to represent its interests and manage relations from its embassy in the German capital.

• Example 2: Collective Meeting in a Host Capital
  Following a significant global event, the Foreign Minister of South Africa hosts a reception for all the foreign ambassadors and their senior staff currently serving in Pretoria. During the event, the Minister addresses "the esteemed diplomatic corps" to discuss international cooperation.

  Explanation: Here, "the diplomatic corps" is used to collectively refer to all the ambassadors and their key diplomatic personnel from various nations who are officially assigned to South Africa's capital, highlighting their collective presence and role in the host country.

• Example 3: Specific Function within the Corps
  A military attaché, who is part of the United States Embassy in Paris, attends a defense conference to represent U.S. security interests and foster military cooperation with France. This attaché is an integral member of the American diplomatic mission.

  Explanation: This example illustrates that even a specialized individual like a military attaché is a component of the larger diplomatic corps, as they are an official diplomatic representative assigned by their government to the foreign capital to perform specific duties related to international relations.