Overview of Functions

AGC officers of the International Affairs Division (IAD) are responsible for:

• providing legal advice to all Government departments, Ministries and statutory boards on international law issues
• representing Singapore at bilateral and multilateral negotiations, and in international disputes, trade-related proceedings and at other international forums
• negotiating and drafting multilateral and bilateral legal instruments
• assisting in the translation of Singapore’s international obligations into domestic legislation
• advising on the domestic implementation of Singapore’s international obligations
• handling and processing all formal requests for mutual legal assistance and extradition

The IAD’s work covers a diverse range of matters including:

• international dispute settlement
• international trade law
• international investment law
• civil aviation law
• international criminal law
• diplomatic privileges and immunities
• international human rights law
• law of the sea
• international environment law
• law relating to the United Nations

In 2009, the IAD’s role was expanded to include the development of international law expertise for Singapore and the establishment of Singapore as an international law hub. To support this initiative, the Developing International Law Expertise in Singapore Secretariat (DILES) was set up within IAD to, amongst other things, oversee efforts to develop the international law expertise of Government officers who are involved in the practice of international law.