18.—(1) Except in so far as in any particular case any privilege or immunity is waived by the Presidium of the Court, the Staff of the Court have the privileges and immunities set out in this article.
(2) They have immunity from suit and legal process in respect of things done or omitted to be done in the course of the performance of official duties.
(3) They are exempt from national taxes in respect of salaries, wages and emoluments paid to them by the Court (other than pensions and annuities) from the date on which the internal tax for the benefit of the Court on salaries, wages and emoluments is applied to them.
(4) From the date on which they are subject to a social security and health scheme established by the Court, with respect to services rendered for the Court, they are deemed to be excepted from any class of employment in respect of which contributions under enactments relating to social security (including enactments in force in Northern Ireland) are payable.
(5) Paragraphs (3) and (4) do not apply to a person who is a British citizen, British overseas territories citizen, British Overseas citizen, British National (Overseas) or any person who at the time of taking up their functions with the Court is a permanent resident of the United Kingdom.