Legation

Legation in Diplomatic Law

Legation

These are rare now, but they were once very common. A legation is a diplomatic mission similar for most practical purposes to an embassy, but lower in rank, and presided over by a minister rather than an ambassador. For most of the last century, American diplomatic representation abroad was limited to legations, and for much of this century, the U.S. was represented in more countries by legations than it was by embassies.

Resources

See Also

• Diplomacy entries in the World Encyclopedia
• Diplomacy entries in the American Legal Encyclopedia

Further Reading

• Satow’s Diplomatic Practice, Ivor Roberts
• Modern Diplomacy, R.P. Barnston