Legal Definitions - chargé d'affaires

Definition: A chargé d'affaires is a diplomat who is second in command in a diplomatic mission, which means they are subordinate to an ambassador or minister. The term comes from the French language and means "one in charge of affairs."

There are two types of chargé d'affaires:

• Acting chargé d'affaires: A diplomat who performs mission functions when the leader of the mission is not available to do so or when the position is vacant. This type of chargé d'affaires is also called chargés d'affaires ad interim.
• Permanent chargé d'affaires: A diplomat with a high enough rank to head a mission if there is no ambassador or minister. This type of chargé d'affaires is also called chargé d'affaires en pied or chargé d'affaires en titre.

Examples:

• When the ambassador is away, the chargé d'affaires takes over as the head of the diplomatic mission.
• The embassy was without an ambassador for several months, so the acting chargé d'affaires had to handle all the important meetings and negotiations.

These examples illustrate how a chargé d'affaires is a diplomat who is responsible for managing the affairs of a diplomatic mission when the ambassador or minister is not available or when the position is vacant. They are an important part of the diplomatic corps and play a crucial role in maintaining international relations.