Article 10 Commissioners

(1)

A Commissioner has the following privileges and immunities—

(a)

immunity from suit and legal process in respect of words spoken or written and all acts performed by them in their official capacity;

(b)

exemption from income tax in respect of salaries and other emoluments paid to them by the Commission;

(c)

exemption from duties (whether of customs or excise) on the importation of furniture and effects at the time of first taking up their post in the United Kingdom.

(2)

The immunity granted under paragraph (1)(a) continues to apply to the person after they cease to be a Commissioner.

(3)

In addition to the privileges and immunities granted under paragraph (1), a Commissioner, when engaged on the business of the Commission, has—

(a)

the like immunity from suit and legal process and the like inviolability of residence as, in accordance with the 1961 Convention Articles, are accorded to or in respect of the head of a diplomatic mission,

(b)

the like exemption or relief from taxes and rates, other than duties (whether of customs or excise) and taxes on the importation of goods, as, in accordance with the 1961 Convention Articles, is accorded to or in respect of the head of a diplomatic mission,

(c)

the like exemption from duties (whether of customs or excise) and taxes on the importation of articles imported for the personal use of the Commissioner or of the Commissioner’s spouse or minor child, including articles intended for the Commissioner’s establishment, and the like privilege as to the importation of such articles, as, in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 36 of the 1961 Convention Articles, is accorded to a diplomatic agent, and

(d)

the like exemption and privileges in respect of personal baggage as, in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 36 of the 1961 Convention Articles, are accorded to a diplomatic agent.