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Diplomatic Law: Privileges and Immunities online course

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Start date: 20 July 2026

Diplomatic privileges and immunities usually receive attention only when exceptions or abuses are reported in the news.

Starting with the evolution of diplomatic privileges and immunities and ending with the question of whether the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations should be revisited in the internet era, this course introduces participants to diplomatic law in general and diplomatic privileges and immunities in particular. Combining a theoretical introduction with practical exercises, participants will become familiar with current developments in the field of diplomatic privileges and immunities.

Reviews

Diplomatic Law: Privileges and Immunities

Text – Simone Francois-Whittier

hjIujU6e Simone Francois Whittier alumni reviews e1638880951719I would recommend this course to anyone looking for a deeper understanding of privileges and immunities. It’s not just a course for practitioners, but one which could benefit anyone – government employees, police officers, lawyers, employees of international organisations, and even students. The lecturer was extremely knowledgeable and the administrator was extremely helpful and attentive. I had the opportunity to interact with other practitioners in the field from around the world, and even persons not working in the field of diplomacy. It was a tremendous experience that I benefited from greatly.

– Ms Simone Francois-Whittier, Foreign Service Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trinidad and Tobago

Text – Luis Alberto Celis Mejia

2hjIFktd Luis Alberto Celis Mejia alumni reviewsThe course provided a practical approach to the most relevant matters of immunities and privileges as part of diplomatic law. It is a useful tool to ensure the applicability of regulations from a functional approach. I recommend it to everyone involved in diplomatic, public, and international legal activities.

– Mr Luis Alberto Celis Mejia, Legal, Economic and Public Affairs, Consulate of Mexico, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA

Text – Rayna Vardeva

tGjuhbEH Rayna Vardeva alumni reviewsNot only did I gain theoretical knowledge on the subject, but my practical skills regarding the implementation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) have tremendously expanded. I would highly recommend this course to every professional who wishes to gain insight into the subject, and benefit from the course’s interactive approach, the quality of provided materials, and the excellent skills of the lecturers.

– Ms Rayna Vardeva, External Relations Division, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

Text – Charles Lidon

yKhpDKyE Lidon Charles alumni reviewsI was particularly impressed by the lecture texts. They are thought-provoking, insightful, and of the highest quality. My knowledge and ability to apply diplomatic law has improved immeasurably.

– Mr Charles Lidon, Legal Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guyana

APPLY FOR COURSE - €690Deadline: 15 June 2026

What will you learn?

  • Explain the difference between the concepts of immunities, privileges, and facilities, providing examples of each.
  • Describe the legal basis of diplomatic privileges and immunities, including as it relates to individuals, states and representatives, diplomatic missions, and consular missions.
  • Explain the theoretical justifications for privileges and immunities and how regulation has evolved.
  • Describe the privileges and immunities of states and their representatives (including heads of states and governments, other ministers and officials, diplomatic missions, and diplomatic agents).
  • Compare and contrast the privileges and immunities of diplomatic missions and agents with those of consular missions and agents.
  • Analyse cases of use and abuse of diplomatic privileges and immunities in the modern era.
  • Explain how the rule against interference in the internal affairs of a state relates to diplomatic functions.
  • Describe the various aspects of international investment law regarding direct foreign investment related to diplomatic and consular functions.
  • Explain diplomats' roles in helping investors from their sending state invest in the receiving state.

How will you learn?

In this course, you will interact intensively in discussions with classmates and lecturers from around the world. You will receive guidance and personalised feedback on your classwork from the course team.

How long will you learn?

The course lasts for 10 weeks:

  • 1 week of course introduction and orientation to online learning
  • 8 weeks of addressing the course topics one by one (see below for more details)
  • 1 week for the final assignment and completing pending tasks

Course lecturers

Face, Head, Person, Photography, Portrait, Happy, Smile, Adult, Male, Man, Laughing

Alan Franklin

Lecturer, Athabasca University and Royal University of Law and Economics

Who should apply

This course will be of interest to:

  • Practising diplomats, civil servants, and others working in international relations
  • Postgraduate students of diplomacy or international relations wishing to gain deeper insight through interaction with practising diplomats
  • Postgraduate students or practitioners in other fields seeking an entry point into the world of diplomacy
  • Journalists, staff of international and non-governmental organisations, translators, business people, and others who wish to improve their understanding of diplomacy-related topics

Overview

The course consists of 8 modules:

  1. Principles and concepts, evolution and instruments: We look at the difference between the concepts of immunities, privileges, and facilities, and the historical evolution of privileges and immunities. We describe the main legal instruments that regulate privileges and immunities: mainly international conventions and treaties, and finally focus on the different theoretical justifications for privileges and immunities.
  2. Privileges and immunities of states: Starting by defining state immunity, we also examine the general source of legitimacy of privilege and immunity in customary law and conventions. We study how law and conventions form and condition absolute and qualified state immunity, closing with an examination of specific cases of immunity: heads of state and governments; immunities of ministers, state officials and parliamentarians; and ministers of foreign affairs.
  3. Immunities of diplomatic missions: In order to represent their sending states, diplomatic missions need appropriate status so that they are not subject to the jurisdiction and power of receiving states. We discuss the types and functions of diplomatic missions and take a close look at the immunities accorded to diplomatic missions.
  4. Privileges and facilities accorded to diplomats and missions: We further examine the facilities and privileges accorded to diplomatic missions and individual diplomatic agents, in particular inviolability of communication and freedom of movement. These privileges rest on the authority of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which we analyse carefully.
  5. Immunities of diplomatic agents: The purpose of granting immunities and privileges to diplomats is to enable them to carry out their functions effectively. Although personal immunities and privileges of a diplomatic agent apply directly, in fact, they are awarded to the sending state and the individual diplomat enjoys them only in his or her capacity as an agent of the state.
  6. Consular privileges and immunities: We consider the codification of consular law, then we examine the regulations that govern the establishment of consular relations and outline the regulations governing consular posts and consular functions, including privileges, immunities, and facilities they are granted. We will also look at the abuse of privileges and immunities as they usually receive attention only when exceptions or abuses are reported in the news - most notably traffic violations, the protection of public order, London’s congestion charge, and abuse of the diplomatic bag.
  7. International investment agreements I – Overview: What they are, and why diplomats and consular officers need to understand them. We will examine bilateral investment treaties, free trade agreements and other similar international agreements from the perspective of the protections afforded to international investors and why diplomats can play a crucial role in assisting their home-state investors in the host state.
  8. International investment agreements II – Diplomatic assistance in financing and political risk insurance: We examine the right of investors to enforce international investment agreements (IIAs) against the offending states through international arbitration, the enforcement of awards issued by the arbitration tribunals against recalcitrant states and the role of diplomats in assisting their home-state investors. We will also study the role of multilateral development banks in financing private sector investments in development projects and the assistance that diplomats can provide to facilitate such transactions.

Also of interest

Diplomatic Theory and Practice online course

Bilateral Diplomacy online course

21st Century Diplomacy online course

Diplomatic Communication online course

Need more info:

DiploFoundation (attn Tanja Nikolic)

Anutruf, Ground Floor, Hriereb Street
Msida, MSD 1675, Malta

+356 21 333 323; [email protected]

Methodology

The Diplomatic Law online course is based on a collaborative learning approach, involving a high level of interaction over a period of 10 weeks. Reading materials and the necessary tools for online interaction are provided in a virtual classroom.

Each week, participants study and discuss course materials and complete additional online activities. At the end of the week, participants and lecturers meet to discuss the topic of the week. For successful completion, this course requires a minimum of 5 to 7 hours of study time per week.

Participants who successfully complete the course receive a certificate issued by Diplo, which can be printed or shared electronically.

Prerequisites

All course applicants must have regular internet access (broadband is preferred). 

Applicants for certificate courses must have:

  • An undergraduate university degree OR 3 years of work experience and appropriate professional qualifications in diplomacy or international relations
  • Sufficient English language skills to undertake postgraduate-level studies

Fees and scholarships

The fee for this course is €690. 

Note: Diplo alumni can benefit from a 15% discount on the fee for this course.

A limited number of partial scholarships are available for diplomats and others working in international relations from developing countries. Discounts are available for more than one participant from the same institution. 

You can apply for this course as:

How to apply

Fill out the short form to start your application process for this course. You will receive an instruction email on how to continue.

Applying for financial assistance? Please indicate this on the application form, upload your CV, and a motivation statement that should include:

  • Details of your relevant professional and educational background
  • Reasons for your interest in the course
  • Why do you feel you should have the opportunity to participate in this course? How will your participation benefit you, your institution and/or your country?

Please note that financial assistance from Diplo is available only to applicants from developing countries! 

Late applications will only be considered if there are spaces available in the course.

Cancellation policy

Diplo reserves the right to cancel this course if enrolment is insufficient. In case of cancellation, Diplo will notify applicants shortly after the application deadline. Applicants who have paid an application fee may apply this fee towards another course or receive a refund.



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