6. Immunity from national jurisdiction and diplomatic protection
This chapter discusses the different forms of immunity from national jurisdiction enjoyed by a state and its representatives. It presents state immunity and the complicated distinction between sovereign (jure imperii) and commercial (jure gestionis) acts. It discusses the exception to state immunity for commercial acts; provides an overview of some of the additional exceptions to state immunity; and discusses the immunities of state representatives. It distinguishes between immunity ratione personae and immunity ratione materiae and discusses how the distinction is applied to different state representatives. It also discusses the immunities of diplomatic representatives and diplomatic missions as well as the issue of consular protection and the immunities enjoyed by so-called special missions.