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Department of Legal Services
<html> <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" <head> <TITLE>Department of Legal Services</TITLE> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Cache-Control" content="no-cache"> <META NAME="ROBOTS" CONTENT="NOARCHIVE"> <meta name="robots" content="index, follow"> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Expires" content="0"> <meta name="ROBOTS" content="ALL"> <meta HTTP-EQUIV="Window-target" content="top"> <meta name="distribution" content="global"> <meta name="resource-type" content="document"> <meta name-EQUIV="Language" content="English"> <meta name="Object Type" content="Document"> <meta name="Rating" content="General"> <meta name="REVISIT-AFTER" content="1"><meta http-equiv="Content-Language" content="en-us"> <link href="default.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"> <meta HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <style type="text/css"> @page { size:landscape; } A{text-decoration: none;} BODY { background-color: #FFFFFF; margin: 0; } .style2 { color: #800000; } .style3 { margin-left: 15px; } </style> </head> <body> <table width="100%" border="1" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" bordercolor="#FFFFFF" style="border-collapse: collapse"> <tr> <td width="100%" align="center"><map name="FPMap0"> <area coords="101, 106, 154, 124" shape="rect" href="http://www.oas.org/legal/introsp.htm"> <area href="http://www.oas.org" shape="rect" coords="319, 83, 486, 134"> </map><img src="images/BannerEnglish.png" usemap="#FPMap0" border="0"></td> </tr> </table> <table width="700" border="0" align="center" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="3" bordercolor="#111111" style="border-collapse: collapse"> <tr> <td width="265" valign="top"> <div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0"> <table width="235" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="4" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111"> <tr> <td height="45"> <div align="center"> <table width="240" height="40" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" bordercolor="#993333" style="border-collapse: collapse"> <tr> <td> <p align="center"> <img border="0" src="images/tit_description.gif" width="240" height="40"></td> </tr> </table> </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="200" valign="top"> <p align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 6; margin-top:2"> <font size="1" color="#666666" face="Verdana">The Department of Legal Services ("DLS") is a dependency of the Secretariat for Legal Affairs of the OAS General Secretariat. <a href="http://www.oas.org/en/sla" class="style2"> www.oas.org/en/sla</a></font><p align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 6; margin-top:2"> <font size="1" color="#333333" face="Verdana"><p align="justify" style="margin-bottom: 6; margin-top:2"> <font size="1" color="#666666" face="Verdana">DLS provides legal advice on: interpretation of normative instruments; administrative, budgetary, and personnel matters; internal regulations; contracts, treaties, and agreements; application of national laws relating to taxation, labor relations, and privileges & immunities; and cooperation and electoral agreements. DLS serves as the Secretary General’s representative in litigation. In its area of competence, DLS: advises the General Assembly and Permanent Council; represents the Secretary General before OAS political bodies; and advises: CIDI, IIN, CIM, CITEL, CICTE, CICAD, IADB, the OAS Retirement & Pension Fund, and IICA.</font><font size="1"> </font> <p align="justify" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 3; line-height:150%"> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana"> <a href="english/functions.htm" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'">Functions</a><br> <a style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" target="_blank" href="http://www.oas.org/legal/english/memberindex.htm">Personnel</a><br> <a style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" target="_blank" href="english/annualreports.htm">Annual Reports</a></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="45"> <div align="center"> <table width="240" height="40" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" bordercolor="#993333" style="border-collapse: collapse"> <tr> <td> <p align="center"> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.oas.org/legal/english/documentindex.htm"> <img src="images/tit_publications_opinions.gif" border="0" width="240" height="40"></a></td> </tr> </table> </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="45"> <div align="center"> <table width="240" height="40" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" bordercolor="#993333" style="border-collapse: collapse"> <tr> <td width="241"> <p align="center"> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.oas.org/legal/english/organization_charts.htm"> <img src="images/tit_organization_charts.gif" border="0" width="240" height="40"></a></td> </tr> </table> </div></td> </tr> </table> </div></td> <td width="266" valign="top"> <div align="center"> <table width="235" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="4" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111"> <tr> <td width="231" height="45"> <div align="center"> <table width="240" height="40" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" bordercolor="#993333" style="border-collapse: collapse"> <tr> <td width="241"> <p align="center"> <img src="images/tit_laws_governing.gif" width="240" height="40"></td> </tr> </table> </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <p style="margin-bottom: 0; line-height:150%; margin-top:0"> <font face="Verdana"> <a style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" target="_blank" href="http://www.oas.org/dil/treaties_A-41_Charter_of_the_Organization_of_American_States.htm">OAS Charter</a></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 7; margin-bottom: 0; line-height:150%"> <font face="Verdana"> <a style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" target="_blank" href="http://www.oas.org/legal/english/Standards/GenStIndex.htm">General Standards to Govern the Operations of the General Secretariat</a></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 7; margin-bottom: 0; line-height:150%"> <font face="Verdana"> <a style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" target="_blank" href="http://www.oas.org/legal/english/exindexall.htm">Executive Orders</a></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 7; margin-bottom: 0; line-height:150%" class="style3"> <font face="Verdana"> <a style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" target="_blank" href="http://www.oas.org/legal/english/STAFF_RULES/rulesindex.htm">Staff Rules</a></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 7; margin-bottom: 0; line-height:150%"> <font face="Verdana"> <a style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" target="_blank" href="http://www.oas.org/legal/english/IndexDirectives.htm">Directives</a></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 7; margin-bottom: 0; line-height:150%"> <font face="Verdana"> <a style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" target="_blank" href="http://www.oas.org/legal/english/indxadmeall.htm">Administrative Memorandums</a></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 7; margin-bottom: 0; line-height:150%"> <font face="Verdana"> <a style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" target="_blank" href="http://www.oas.org/legal/english/admmem/Budgetary_and_Financial_Rules.htm">Budgetary and Financial Rules</a></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 7; margin-bottom: 0; line-height:150%"> <font face="Verdana"> <a style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" target="_blank" href="http://www.oas.org/legal/english/Indexotherinstruments.htm">Other Administrative Instruments of Interest (including memoranda from the Assistant Secretary General and the Secretary General s Chief of Staff)</a></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 7; margin-bottom: 0; line-height:150%"> <font face="Verdana"> <a style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" target="_blank" href="http://www.oas.org/legal/english/docs/oasretirementandpensionplan.htm">Retirement & Pension Plan & Codified Regulations & Provident Plan</a> </font></p> <p style="margin-top: 7; margin-bottom: 0; line-height:150%"> <font face="Verdana"> <a style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" target="_blank" href="http://www.oas.org/legal/english/docs/restated_401m_plan.doc">OAS 401(m) Plan</a> </font></p> <p style="margin-top: 7; margin-bottom: 0; line-height:150%"> <font face="Verdana"> <a style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" target="_blank" href="http://www.oas.org/legal/english/IndexCoopRelations.htm">Cooperative Relations with Other Entities</a></font></p> <font face="Verdana"> <span lang="es" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'"> <p style="margin-top: 7; margin-bottom: 0; line-height:150%"> <a style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" target="_blank" href="http://www.oas.org/legal/english/gensec/EXOR0506REV1.htm">Model Agreements of the General Secretariat</a></p> <p style="margin-top: 7; margin-bottom: 0; line-height:150%"> <font face="Verdana"> <a target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" href="http://www.oas.org/tribadm/search_busqueda/query_en.asp">Judgments of OAS Administrative Tribunal</a></font></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="45"> <div align="center"> <table width="240" height="40" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" bordercolor="#993333" style="border-collapse: collapse"> <tr> <td width="241"> <p align="center"> <a target="_blank" href="english/resolutions.htm"> <img border="0" src="images/tit_resolutions_oas_generalassembly_permanentcouncil.gif" width="240" height="40"></a></td> </tr> </table> </div></td> </tr> </table> </div></td> <td width="266" valign="top"> <div align="center"> <table width="235" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="4" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111"> <tr> <td height="45"> <div align="center"> <center> <table width="240" height="40" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" bordercolor="#993333" style="border-collapse: collapse"> <tr> <td width="241"> <p align="center"> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.oas.org/legal/english/AgreeLawsDocumindex.htm"> <img src="images/tit_agreements_law_judgements.gif" border="0" width="240" height="40"></a></td> </tr> </table> </center> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td height="45"> <div align="center"> <table width="240" height="40" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" bordercolor="#993333" style="border-collapse: collapse"> <tr> <td width="241"> <p> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.oas.org/DIL/treaties_and_agreements.htm"> <img src="images/tit_treaties_agreements.gif" border="0" width="240" height="40"></a></td> </tr> </table> </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="45"> <div align="center"> <table width="240" height="40" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" bordercolor="#993333" style="border-collapse: collapse"> <tr> <td width="241"> <p align="center"> <font size="2" face="Arial"> <img src="images/tit_statutes_organs.gif" width="240" height="40"></font></td> </tr> </table> </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <p style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top:0"> <font face="Verdana"> <a target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" href="http://www.oas.org/consejo/GENERAL%20ASSEMBLY/default.asp">General Assembly</a></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6; margin-bottom: 0; "> <font face="Verdana"> <a target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" href="http://www.oas.org/consejo/">Permanent Council</a></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6; margin-bottom: 0; "> <font face="Verdana"> <a target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none" <FONT="" COLOR="#0000ff" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" href="http://www.oas.org/en/cidi/default.asp">Inter-American Council for Integral Development</a></font></p> <font face="Verdana"> <p style="margin-top: 6; margin-bottom: 0; "> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.oas.org/ext/en/main/oas/our-structure/agencies-and-entities/tribad/">Administrative Tribunal</a></p> <p style="margin-top: 6; margin-bottom: 0; "> <font face="Verdana"> <a style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" target="_blank" href="http://www.oas.org/legal/english/others.htm">Specialized Organizations (IICA, PAHO, IIN, PAIGH, III, and CIM)</a></font></p> <p style="margin-top: 6; margin-bottom: 0; "> <font face="Verdana"> <a target="_blank" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" href="http://www.oas.org/legal/english/ag02976e04.doc">Inter-American Defense Board</a></font></p> <font face="Verdana"> <span lang="es" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'"> <p style="margin-top: 6; margin-bottom: 0; "> <a target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" href="http://www.oas.org/legal/english/STATUTESLEOSROWE.doc">Statutes, Leo S. Rowe P. A. Fund</a></p> <font face="Verdana"> <span lang="es" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'"> <p style="margin-top: 6; margin-bottom: 0; "> <a style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" target="_blank" href="http://www.oas.org/legal/english/IndexModelsGuid.htm">Standards and Model Rules</a></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="45"> <div align="center"> <table width="240" height="40" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" bordercolor="#993333" style="border-collapse: collapse"> <tr> <td width="241"> <p align="center"> <img src="images/tit_links.gif" width="240" height="40"></td> </tr> </table> </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top:0"> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana"> <a target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" href="http://www.oas.org/dil/">Secretariat for Legal Affairs</a></font><p style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top:5"> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana"> <a style="text-decoration: none" target="_blank" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" href="http://www.cidh.oas.org/defaulte.htm"> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana" COLOR="#0000ff" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'">Inter-American Commission on Human Rights</font> </a> <p style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top:5"> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.corteidh.or.cr"> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana" COLOR="#0000ff" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'"> Inter-American Court of Human Rights</font></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top:5"> <a target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" href="http://www.cejamericas.org/">Justice Studies Center of the Americas</a><p style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top:5"> <a target="_blank" href="http://legal.un.org/avl/faculty/Arrighi.html"> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana"> Audiovisual Library of International Law</font></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top:5"> <a style="text-decoration: none" target="_blank" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'" href="http://www.oas.org/OASpage/eng/Documents/Democractic_Charter.htm"> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana"> <font color="#000000" face="Verdana" COLOR="#0000ff" onMouseOver="this.style.color = '#990000'" onMouseOut="this.style.color = '#000000'">Inter-American Democratic Charter</font> </a></td> </tr> </table> </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="797" valign="top" colspan="3"> <p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="1">This page prints best when the printer is set to print in landscape mode.</font> </td> </tr> </table> </body></html>