(a) Appointment
There is a General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency, appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(b) Chief legal officer
The General Counsel is the chief legal officer of the Central Intelligence Agency.
(c) Functions
The General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency shall perform such functions as the Director may prescribe.
Codification
Section was formerly classified to section 403t of this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 108–458 struck out "of Central Intelligence" after "Director".
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
For Determination by President that amendment by Pub. L. 108–458 take effect on Apr. 21, 2005, see Memorandum of President of the United States, Apr. 21, 2005, 70 F.R. 23925, set out as a note under section 3001 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 108–458 effective not later than six months after Dec. 17, 2004, except as otherwise expressly provided, see section 1097(a) of Pub. L. 108–458, set out in an Effective Date of 2004 Amendment; Transition Provisions note under section 3001 of this title.
Applicability of Appointment Requirements
Pub. L. 104–293, title VIII, §813(b), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3483, provided that: "The requirement established by section 20 of the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 [50 U.S.C. 3520], as added by subsection (a), for the appointment by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, of an individual to the position of General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency shall apply as follows:
"(1) To any vacancy in such position that occurs after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 11, 1996].
"(2) To the incumbent serving in such position on the date of the enactment of this Act as of the date that is six months after such date of enactment, if such incumbent has served in such position continuously between such date of enactment and the date that is six months after such date of enactment."