Diplomatic law

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Diplomatic law is that area of international law that governs permanent and temporary diplomatic missions . A fundamental concept of diplomatic law is that of diplomatic immunity, which derives from state immunity.

For most of history diplomatic law has mostly been customary. However, early codifications of diplomatic law include the British Diplomatic Privileges Act (1708). An important treaty with regards to diplomatic law is the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Key elements of diplomatic law are the immunity of diplomatic staff, the inviolability of the diplomatic mission and its grounds, and the security of diplomatic correspondence and diplomatic bags. Famous cases involving the breaking of diplomatic laws includes the Iran hostage crisis in 1979, the shooting of a British police woman from the Libyan Embassy in London in 1984, and the discovery of a former Nigerian Minister in a diplomatic crate at Stanstead airport in 1984.

It is also an accepted principle of customary international law and is recognised between countries as a matter of practicality. Diplomatic Law is often strictly adhered to by States because it works on reciprocity. For example, if you expel diplomats from a certain country, then your diplomats will most likely be expelled from this country. It is in this way that diplomatic relations between states, and government to government interaction, can prosper.