Diplomatic corps

The diplomatic corps is the collective body of foreign diplomats accredited to a particular country. The term is sometimes erroneously defined as being the collective body of diplomats from a particular country — the proper term for this definition would be "diplomatic service". The diplomatic corps is not always given any formal recognition by its host country, but can be referenced by official orders of precedence. In some countries, the longest-serving ambassador to a country is given the title Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, and is sometimes accorded a high position in the order of precedence - in New Zealand, for example, the Dean takes precedence over figures such as the Deputy Prime Minister, former Governors-General, and the Chief Justice. The diplomatic corps may also co-operate amongst itself on a number of matters, including certain dealings with the host government.