European Bars Federation launches guidance on business & human rights for European law societies
Law Societies should play an active role in Business and Human Rights at institutional level and offer guidance for solicitors to comply with their duty to respect human rights and also increase their ability to help and influence their clients so that these also respect human rights in their operations. A Law Society could, for example, take on a proactive role when explaining to the legal community how and why lawyers are acting in their clients’ favour when suggesting and offering technical advice on the observance of the UNGP in terms of due diligence in human rights, responsibility to respect and the duty of remedy...
It is vital for Law Societies to make a public commitment to the principle of respect and remedy of human rights affected by business activities, in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGP no 16). This commitment must be approved by the governing bodies of each Law Society...
The Law Society must make an effort to ensure the general dissemination within the legal profession of the need to protect, respect and remedy human rights in all business activities. This is regardless of the prior level of knowledge among intended recipients.