Too often companies implicated in human rights abuses do not face actual consequences for their failure to respect human rights. As a result, unscrupulous companies continue their abuse with impunity, and those whose rights have been violated lack access to effective remedy. Binding legislation and liability regimes which create criminal, administrative or civil liability for a company in relation to its human rights impact, are critical in ensuring that rightsholders can exercise their human rights and have access to justice when abuses occur.

This portal covers judicial and quasi-judicial mechanisms as well as legislative developments at the national and international levels, that are legally binding and enforceable. For additional information about what we do and why we do it, see our programme information.

Latest from us

September 2025 Quarterly Update on why courts must hold companies accountable for migrant worker exploitation

Our global update with a blog from Leigh Day about ongoing barriers to justice encountered by migrant workers facing corporate abuses and key steps for legal and legislative reform to enable migrant them to access justice; as well as additional legal updates and key resources on corporate legal accountability.

2025 briefing: Justice in the transition

Read our analysis of 95 cases where Indigenous Peoples, other frontline communities and workers litigate to shape corporate practice.

Privatised food delivery in Gaza and violations of International Humanitarian Law

This blog by the British Institute of International and Comparative Law reflects on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the stress test it constitutes for the core protections under International Humanitarian Law (IHL). It also highlights the concerns raised by outsourcing aid delivery to a militarised and for-profit organisation.

Proposed binding treaty

Read the latest developments on a proposed binding treaty on business and human rights: background on the process; blog series; webinars and other news.

Lundin Energy trial

Two former Lundin Energy (now Orrön) executives have been charged for complicity in war crimes in Sudan between 1999 and 2003. The trial started on 5 September 2023 in Stockholm.

Social audit liability

Read our briefing on holding social audit firms legally accountable for human rights harm.

SLAPPs in Latin America

Strategic lawsuits against public participation in the context of business and human rights

Our publications

Explore our CLA briefings, Quarterly Updates and more.

University fellowship opportunity

Does your university have paid fellowship opportunities? Consider joining us! Find out here how you could support impacted people to hold companies legally accountable for human rights abuses.

Lawyers' hub

Lawyers all over the world are defending the rights of victims of corporate abuse. Their work is critical in the quest for justice, but often not widely publicised. This hub is all about the lawyers who bring cases on behalf of victims, their insights on fighting for justice and the cases they bring.