Materials by topic > Corporate law

Corporate Law project

Leading corporate law firms are working with UN Special Representative John Ruggie to identify whether and how national corporate law principles and practices currently foster corporate cultures respectful of human rights.  Further information on this project, and the full text of the surveys prepared by these firms, are available here.

• "Corporate Law Project: Overarching trends and observations" [PDF], UN Special Representative John Ruggie, 5 Jul 2010

Other materials

3rd Annual Responsible Investment Forum - Keynote Address [PDF] by UN Special Representative John Ruggie, 12 Jan 2009 
- audio - excerpt of speech

"Human Rights and Socially Responsible Investment in North America: An Overview" [PDF], prepared by Elizabeth Umlas, PhD, for UN Special Representative John Ruggie, Jan 2009

Statement to UN Human Rights Council by socially responsible investors [PDF] in response to UN Special Representative John Ruggie's 2008 report to the Council, 3 Jun 2008
- "Investors Support UN Business and Human Rights Mandate", Anne Moore Odell, SocialFunds.com, 11 Jun 2008

"Corporate Social Responsibility for Human Rights: Comments on the UN Special Representative’s Report Entitled 'Protect, Respect and Remedy: a Framework for Business and Human Rights'" [PDF], Ira M. Millstein, E. Norman Veasey, Harvey Goldschmid, Steven Alan Reiss, Holly J. Gregory Ashley R. Altschuler, of Weil, Gotshal & Manges, 22 May 2008

"A United Nations Proposal Defining Corporate Social Responsibility For Human Rights" [PDF], Martin Lipton & Kevin S. Schwartz of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, 1 May 2008

"Corporate Duty and Human Rights Under Australian Law" [PDF], Allens Arthur Robinson law firm on behalf of the International Bar Association, Mar 2008

Note from Special Representative John Ruggie: "The SRSG is grateful to the International Bar Association and the Australian law firm of Allens Arthur Robinson for conducting this pro bono research on corporate due diligence requirements under Australian law, and how such requirements might serve as a guide to non-legal processes whereby companies can demonstrate their responsibility to respect human rights. As in all cases of pro bono research conducted for the SRSG, the opinions expressed in the memo are those of the law firm and do not necessarily reflect those of the SRSG."

"Trends in the Use of Corporate Law and Shareholder Activism to Increase Corporate Responsibility and Accountability for Human Rights" [PDF] (USA), Fried Frank law firm, Dec 2007
- "Appendix: Survey of social & environmental shareholder proposals, 2006-7 (to date)" [XLS]

Note from Special Representative John Ruggie: "The SRSG is grateful to the New York law firm Fried Frank for conducting this pro bono research on U.S. shareholder activism in relation to human rights. The memo considers recent trends and explores how other corporate law tools, including actions regarding directors' duties, are being used in the area of business and human rights. As in all cases of pro bono research conducted for the SRSG, the opinions expressed in the memo are those of the law firm and do not necessarily reflect the SRSG's."

"Corporate Abuse in 2007: A discussion paper on what changes in the law need to happen" [PDF], submission to UN Special Representative by Corporate Responsibility (CORE) Coalition [UK], Nov 2007

Submission to UN Special Representative John Ruggie from over 50 faith-based & socially responsible investors [PDF], 6 Feb 2006