Attention to the respect for human rights in the exercise of economic activities is becoming increasingly important within companies.
This trend has been driven primarily by changes in the legal environment, namely:
- national laws and regulations governing the operations of companies
- multilateral and European legal instruments defining and enriching the standards and yardsticks in this area
The ongoing negotiations on the directive on the duty of care of companies, as well as the recent initiatives to prohibit the trade of products resulting from forced labor, are an illustration of this.
Any human rights violations by companies expose them both to the risk of legal action and to reputational damage.
It is therefore important that they have a precise and in-depth knowledge of the normative framework applicable to them and of likely changes in the law in order to:
- anticipate
- evaluate precisely the impact and then adapt their organization, their internal procedures and their production methods if necessary
- ensure that their business activities comply with the rules
- make known their attachment to ensuring respect of human rights
To advise you on these different points, our teams are constantly on the watch for legislative and case law developments and relevant European and international negotiations. Our analysis guarantees you a level of insight and alerts adapted to your business or sector(s).
Our lawyers have the complementary skills needed to meet the challenges of prevention and the emergence of risks related to human rights violations generated by your economic activity: compliance, crisis management and dispute resolution, labor and employment law, European law, public law and environmental law.
Our legal expertise and our experience of the organizational challenges facing businesses allow us to answer your questions and address your concerns regarding human rights. To help you implement better business practices in your line of business, we work with your teams to define the strategy adapted to your challenges, whether related to your activity, your industry, your intermediaries and subcontractors or your geographical locations.
We are there to help you anticipate and act
The types of situations likely to give rise to a human rights violation are typically complex, and involve a wide range of geographic, legal and political contexts. Our lawyers advise and defend French and international companies in all sectors of activity. They also work closely with partner law firms abroad whenever required.
We handle the full range of issues facing clients and help them develop their corporate and governance policies on human rights.