World Law Forum Conference on Arbitration of Business & Human Rights
ABOUT
Current remedies for business-related human rights abuses such as trafficking in persons, child labor, violence against labor protestors, unsafe and unhealthy working conditions, land seizures, and multiple others are patchy, unpredictable, often ineffective and fragile. This fails both victims, who have little access to justice, and businesses, which often operate in environments of legal uncertainty and where participants are not competing on a level playing field.
Arbitration offers the possibility of a consent-based remedy to victims of human rights abuses when domestic courts are unavailable due to lack of capacity, lack of impartiality or jurisdictional obstacles. There have been growing discussions on the subject, however there are several key questions, such as, whether BHR disputes meet the “commercial relationship” requirements for International Arbitration. We seek to address such issues and create a discussion on it, involving lawyers, business professionals, academics and students.
AGENDA
- Protection of Investors versus Protection of Human Rights in International Arbitration
- Resolving Business and Human Rights Disputes: The Experience So Far
- Business and Human Rights Arbitration: What’s in it for the corporations?
- Arbitrability of human rights disputes
- Business and Human Rights Arbitration: Opportunities & Challenges (Panel by Business and Human Rights Practitioners Network)
- Forums for the Future: New opportunities for using arbitration
Speakers
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Alison Macdonald QCBarrister, Matrix Chambers
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Angela EvansSenior Associate, Mannheimer Swartling
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Angeline WelschBarrister, Matrix Chambers
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Anna KirkpatrickSenior Associate, Clifford Chance
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Cherie Blair CBE, QCFounder & Chair, Omnia Strategy LLP
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Clare ConnellanPartner & Head (Business & Human Rights), White & Case
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Dr. Tara Van HoLecturer, School of Law, University of Essex
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Francois ZimerayFounder & Partner, Zimeray & Finelle
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Julianne Hughes-JennettPartner, Quinn Emanuel
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Kate Cervantes-KnoxPartner, DLA Piper
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Klentiana MahmutajBarrister, Red Lion Chambers
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Lord Goldsmith QC, PCCo-Managing Partner (London), Debevoise Plimpton
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Michiel CoenraadsPartner, DLA Piper
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Monica Feria-TintaBarrister, 20 Essex Street
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Nicole BigbyPartner & General Counsel, Bryan Cave Leighton & Paisner
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Robert VolterraFounder & Partner, Volterra Fietta
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Sarah MacroryAssistant Legal Adviser, Foreign & Commonwealth Office
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Sophie Lamb QCPartner & Co-Head (International Arbitration), Latham & Watkins
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Stephane BrabantSenior Partner, Trinity International
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Stephen Jagusch QCPartner & Global Head (International Arbitration), Quinn Emanuel
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Suzanne SpearsFounder & Principal, PAXUS LLP