The Law Society is to host a debate on the difficulty of balancing lawyers' client duty and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights ('Ruggie principles').
The debate, on Thursday 7 March, will bring together leading lawyers to discuss the interaction between business and human rights.
Lawyers are facing increasing pressure to weigh human rights considerations as well as client demands, after the introduction of the Ruggie principles turned the spotlight on corporate human rights compliance.
The principles, which were adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council in June 2011, clarify the role and responsibilities of states, companies and other social actors in respect of corporate human rights impacts.
Following the introduction of the principles, human rights compliance has soared on the corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda. Hundreds of firms have adopted the principles as part of their policies.
Yet for the legal sector, human rights compliance introduces difficult questions.
Although a number of firms, including Freshfields, Linklaters and Clifford Chance, are reported to be drawing up their own corporate human rights policies, most law firms have steered clear of the issue.
Law Society chief executive Desmond Hudson said:
"Lawyers have a fundamental duty to act in the best interest of their client. What happens if the client has breached human rights? How do you manage that tension between your duty to the client and your duty to uphold human rights?
"Although the Ruggie principles haven't created hard legal obligations, there is a clear link to lawyers. After all, the legal profession plays a crucial role in upholding the rule of law.
"Lawyers are increasingly expected to advise their clients, including huge multinationals, on understanding and managing risks. This includes risks related to human rights compliance. For in-house counsel, for example, the Ruggie principles may be something new to add to their toolkit.
"It may well be the case that corporate human rights develop into real legal liabilities. Jurisdictions including the United States are already looking at this and considering whether firms can be sued for violations that happen under their watch."
Speakers include Antony Crockett, Clifford Chance; Chris Esdaile, Leigh Day; Anna Triponel, SHIFT, and Francis Neate, former president of the IBA. The event will be chaired by Law Society chief executive Desmond Hudson.
The Law Society Public Debate Series is being held in association with the Huffington Post.
ENDS
About the event
Date: Thursday 7 March
Time: 17:45 - 19:30
CPD: 1.5 hours
Cost: This event is free to attend
Venue: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1PL
Follow the debate live on Twitter at #LawSocDebates
Find our more about the event
About the Law Society
The Law Society is the independent professional body, established for solicitors in 1825, that works globally to support and represent its members, promoting the highest professional standards and the rule of law.
Press contact
Emma Alatalo
Assistant Press Officer
+44 (0)20 7316 5592
emma.alatalo@lawsociety.org.uk