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AdminTalk

Short lessons: embassy work

16 short episodes. Watch in order or choose a topic.

Episode 3 · 0:51

Chargé d’affaires and chargé d’affaires ad interim

Distinguish a class of head of mission from temporarily acting in that role before using a title for a real person.

 

Thai audio · Thai / English / German subtitles

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Chargé d’affaires vs ad interim: what is the difference?

Do not assume they are the same role.

Article 14 of the Vienna Convention divides heads of mission into 3 classes.

The chargé d’affaires in Article 14 is accredited to the receiving state’s foreign minister.

Article 19 deals with a chargé d’affaires ad interim.

If the head of mission’s post is vacant or the head cannot act, someone serves temporarily in their place.

Their name must be notified to the receiving state as the Convention provides.

This is a temporary role, not a personal rank. Do not assume the deputy head of mission holds it automatically.

Before using the title in a document, check official sources for the current role and appointment.

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Fictional example: the head of mission cannot act and A is the deputy. Can you automatically address A as chargé d’affaires ad interim?

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No such conclusion follows automatically. Check who is designated to act, the relevant notification and effective period with an official source or the responsible person. Do not infer it from seniority.

Sources and scope

Article 14(1)(c) concerns a class of head of mission; Article 19(1) concerns acting provisionally. This is a short explanation, not a certified legal translation or proof of appointment. Article 19(2) does not automatically make an administrative official chargé d’affaires ad interim.

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