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The representative of the diplomatic corps on ceremonial occasions and its channel of communication on matters of common interest (especially diplomatic privileges and immunities) with the government of the receiving state. The dean, or doyen(ne), is generally the longest-serving member of the highest class of diplomat accredited to the country in question. Exceptions to this rule are to be found in states where precedence is by tradition granted to the papal nuncio, and in certain other cases and circumstances. One such situation may occur when the most senior diplomat is head of a non-resident mission – it being desirable, although not necessary, that the dean be resident in the capital in question.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, when the status of high commissioners in relation to the diplomatic corps was indeterminate, there was some uncertainty as to whether such a diplomat was eligible to be dean. Difficulties sometimes also arise when the dean represents a state or government that is not recognized by some of the other states that have diplomatic missions accredited to the receiving state. (Notably, this problem arose in respect of the representatives of China.) In this case, although a state may debar its ambassador from having any dealings whatsoever with the person who is dean, the usual solution is for the heads of these missions to deal with the individual concerned when he or she is acting in this capacity but to ignore all the individual\'s ambassadorial activity. However, acceptance of the office of dean implies a willingness to have dealings with all heads of mission accredited to the capital concerned. There is also a dean of the consular corps.
See also vice-dean. |
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