Business and Human Rights

A true commitment to upholding and advancing human rights is now at the core of good business. It is now a norm - expected by consumers, regulators and the principles of “good governance” – that companies promote and protect human rights in all parts of their operations, both at home and in their international operations.

Our team of lawyers has many years of experience advising on human rights, corporate governance and investigations, organisational change and policy implementation.

Our lawyers frequently act for corporate clients and charities in the most complex and fraught situations, including cases involving public campaigns aimed at highlighting human rights abuses. We have considerable expertise in cases involving criminal allegations and regulatory breaches, or those connected with the recovery of property obtained through alleged criminal violations.

Our skilled team of lawyers brings in-depth experience from our public law, criminal litigation, regulatory, dispute resolution and employment teams. Our work includes:

• Acting in an advisory capacity – in particular to government, public bodies, and institutions – assessing operational compliance with the Human Rights Act 1998;
• Internal investigations on behalf of corporate clients, including advice to companies caught up in criminal and regulatory investigations;
• Acting in judicial review litigation, involving a broad range of human rights issues including Human Rights Act damages claims;
• Advising on compliance with Modern Slavery legislation, best practice and emerging norms;
• Advice on slavery and human trafficking statements;
• Advising “whistleblowers” and organisations responding to whistleblower claims.

Our team is at the forefront of developments in Business and Human Rights, including foundation membership of the Business and Human Rights Practitioner Network, speaking alongside the Home Office and other business leaders to promote the Modern Slavery Act 2015 to the business community and public sector, and, most recently, partnering with academics to evaluate the suitability of investigative measures taken by businesses to eradicate slavery in supply chains.