Directorate of International and Operational Law :::  

The Directorate of International and Operational Law (DIOL) is responsible for the provision of legal advice to the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces (DND/CF) in the areas of international law and strategic operational law.

DIOL provides legal advice to DND/CF client groups such as the Associate Deputy Minister (Policy) and liaises closely with the Department of Justice and the Legal Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

DIOL provides advice on such matters as the negotiation and interpretation of international treaties and arrangements with the potential to impact upon CF operations, including treaties related to international humanitarian law, international human rights law, weapons treaties and defence treaties.

These include treaties such as: the Geneva Conventions, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the NATO and NORAD Treaties as well as other agreements or arrangements such as those dealing with the Status of Forces (SOFAs).

DIOL legal advisors participate on Canadian delegations at international conferences and advise on the negotiation and interpretation of intra-governmental arrangements related to the DND/CF such as Memoranda of Understanding.

DIOL advises on matters of international law that affect CF operations. For instance, DIOL legal officers provide advice regarding the compliance of new weapons, means or methods of warfare with international law.

DIOL also provides legal advice on such matters as the status and treatment of detainees under international law and on the international law aspects of litigation involving the CF.

The provision of legal advice in these areas of law requires extensive co-operation and coordination with national and international partners.

While DIOL also plays a forward-looking role within the Office of the JAG, coordinating the publication of strategic legal papers which analyze emerging legal issues with the potential to impact upon CF operations.