The ILC has initiated the codification of the law relating to diplomatic protection. Two reports have so far been submitted, a preliminary one and a first one in which eight draft articles are proposed. An analytical synopsis of the preliminary report will be followed by a short outline of the object and purpose of the draft articles as well as of the comments of the Commission which discussed the articles during its 52nd session. In the conclusion the contours of diplomatic protection as may be inferred from the work done so far are sketched.