Law Society Business and Human Rights Programme: Launch of England - PDF document

16/09/2015 Law Society Business and Human Rights Programme: Launch of England and Wales outreach series Moderator: Andrea Shemberg, consultant, Business and Human Rights Programme, The Law Society Speakers: Nicole Bigby, partner and director of risk, Berwin Leighton Paisner Peter Frankental, Economic Relations programme director, Amnesty International UK Jonathan Smithers, president, The Law Society Michael Stock, senior group legal counsel, Dispute Resolution, Standard Chartered Bank The Law Society Business and Human Rights Programme Launch of England and Wales outreach series Agenda 1. President address 1. The consultation & engagement process 2. Panel discussion on business and human rights 3. Reception 1

16/09/2015 The Law Society Business and Human Rights Programme 2. The consultation & engagement process Timeline & BHRAG Recommendations June-October 2015 End 2015 Consultation & Initial Guidance 2013 engagement on BHR from Law Set up BHRAG process Society March 2014 End of October 2015 BHRAG Recommendations Internal report with outcomes from C&E process 2

16/09/2015 Timeline & BHRAG Recommendations 2 6 Develop advice, guidance and Encourage firms to develop policies training and procedures to implement firms‘ responsibility to respect human rights, Address law firms regarding business which will be an evolving process. operations relating to law firms as Develop practical, user friendly providers of professional legal guidance reflecting best practice over services. time. 1 3 Consultation 0 Develop a programme of awareness • Identify needs of small and medium raising activities on the UNGPs size firms. regarding implementing the responsibility of business to respect • Tailor guidance to meet the needs human rights. of different groups. The team Andrea Shemberg Andrea Saldarriaga • Co-lead, LSE IHR • Co-lead, LSE IHR Project Project • Legal advisor to John • Expert EBRD project Ruggie complaint mechanism • Employment and labour law • Investment and arbitration lawyer lawyer with Freshfields • Amnesty Intl UK, ICJ • Lecturer BHR ESSEC Business • Lecturer BHR Dundee University School Paris Catie Shavin Alexa Virdi Sarah Smith • Law Society • Programme • PhD candidate at Human Rights and Director, Global Univ. of Oxford Rule of Law Policy Business Initiative • Advisor to Adviser on Human Rights Attorney-General, Bermuda • Researcher LSE IHR Project • Manager, Business and Human • Lawyer specialising in anti-money • Solicitor Allens Linklaters Rights Programme laundering, anti corruption and • Director of Lawyers for Lawyers combatting the financing of programme terrorism 3

16/09/2015 Objectives Raise awareness: The relevance of BHR to law firms and urgency for action – focus on firms new to BHR (small, medium size and outside London) Gather insights and perspectives: - Points of greater interest - Expectations - Practical challenges - Resistance to BHR - What are seen as first steps - How the Law Society can support those Advise the Law Society on a possible Road Map Strategy Tailored Offer basic training Dialogue focused engagement opportunities 1. Raise awareness 2. Gather insights & perceptions 3. Test ideas for roadmap 4

16/09/2015 Activities Online survey Outreach series Understand needs and interest • Workshops of Law Society members in • One-to-one meetings BHR • Senior partner lunches Stakeholder engagement Understand stakeholder expectations of lawyers as • London • Cardiff regards BHR and the emerging • Manchester experience of larger law firms • Leeds • Cambridge One-to-one meetings • Bristol • Birmingham Written submissions Activities Online survey 17 July – 15 October 2015 Understand needs and interest of Law Society members in BHR • A bit about you • Your knowledge about business and human rights • Your and your firm’s experience in business and human rights • The Law Society and business and human rights The survey is anonymous, takes 10 minutes to complete and you find it here: https://www.research.net/r/Businesshumanrights 5

16/09/2015 Activities Stakeholder engagement 17 July-15 October 2015 Understand stakeholder expectations of lawyers as regards BHR and the emerging experience of larger law firms Clients One-to-one meetings NGO s Large firms Written submissions International Government organisations Activities Outreach series 15 September – 15 October Engage with members across England and Wales Calendar of outreach series 14 Sept Workshop and launch event London Sept-Oct One-to-one meetings London 23 Sept One-to-one meetings Cardiff 24 Sept Partner lunch and workshop Cardiff 28 Sept Partner lunch and workshop Manchester 29 Sept Workshop Leeds 08 Oct One-to-one meetings Cambridge 09 Oct Partner lunch and workshop Cambridge 12 Oct Workshop Birmingham 13 Oct Partner lunch and workshop Bristol 6

16/09/2015 Sneak preview Generalised lack of awareness on BHR Drivers for law firms’ interest in BHR Firms are taking action Challenges are diverse and complex Positive surprises Roles for Law Society suggested Sneak peak Roles for the Law Society suggested Learning opportunities Convening role Building lawyer and client interest Institutional coordination 7

16/09/2015 Law Society Business and Human Rights Programme: Launch of England and Wales outreach series Moderator: Andrea Shemberg, consultant, Business and Human Rights Programme, The Law Society Speakers: Nicole Bigby, partner and director of risk, Berwin Leighton Paisner Peter Frankental, Economic Relations programme director, Amnesty International UK Jonathan Smithers, president, The Law Society Michael Stock, senior group legal counsel, Dispute Resolution, Standard Chartered Bank 8