General Legal Division

The General Legal Division, whose objective is to protect the legal interests of the United Nations, is headed by a Director who is accountable to the Legal Counsel.

The core functions of the Division are as follows: 

• Preparing legal opinions, studies and advice on the administrative law of the Organization, on international private law and on United Nations resolutions and regulations dealing with such matters;
• Providing legal advice to the United Nations voluntary programmes and funds in connection with operational activities in the economic and social fields, including the interpretation of their mandates, regulations and rules and the preparation and negotiation of standard instruments;
• Providing legal advice on procurement, the drafting and negotiation of contracts and other commercial matters, as well as claims and disputes involving operational activities of the Organization, its organs and voluntary programmes and funds;
• Providing legal advice on the legislative and operational arrangements governing the staffing, supply and provisioning of peacekeeping, observer and humanitarian missions, as well as claims arising therefrom;
• Providing legal advice on partnerships with the private sector, including modalities for such partnerships, and preparation of appropriate legal instruments; 
• Representing the Secretary-General before the United Nations Administrative Tribunal and other bodies in commercial and other disputes relating to matters upon which the Division provides advice;
• Preparing studies on relevant Articles of the Charter for the Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs.