Business & Human Rights Lawyers Association
About the Business & Human Rights Lawyers Association
The Business and Human Rights Lawyers Association (BHRLA) unites global law firms and lawyers to integrate human rights and UN Guiding Principles into their practices, inspiring leadership, learning, collaboration, and best practices worldwide.
UNGP 01 PROTECT
UNGP 02 RESPECT
UNGP 03 REMEDY
What we do
We are collaborating to advance respect for human rights in commercial legal practice
Law firms and business lawyers around the world recognise both their and their clients’ responsibility to respect human rights in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights - and integrate this responsibility into their client services across commercial legal areas, operations, and other activities.
Introduction and Relevance to Lawyers
Lawyers play a crucial role at the intersection of business operations and human rights. From drafting contracts and advising on compliance to shaping laws and litigating disputes, their involvement is pivotal in advancing business and human rights practices.
The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs)
Established in 2011, the UNGPs are built on three pillars: states’ duty to protect, businesses’ responsibility to respect, and the need for remedies. These principles guide businesses in human rights due diligence and have shaped global legal standards.
The Role of Corporate Lawyers
Corporate lawyers are essential in navigating the evolving legal landscape influenced by the UNGPs. They must develop expertise in both hard and soft laws related to human rights, supported by resources like the IBA Guidance Note on Business and Human Rights.
Mandatory Due Diligence Laws and the Brussels Effect
Inspired by the UNGPs, mandatory due diligence laws are increasingly prevalent, particularly in the EU. These laws compel companies to perform human rights and environmental due diligence, with global implications through the “Brussels effect” and CS3D.
US Developments and ESG Considerations
In the US, human rights due diligence has gained prominence in the updated National Action Plan and revisions to ABA’s conduct rules. Additionally, the social aspect (S) of ESG metrics presents ongoing challenges.
Wise Counseling and Challenges for Lawyers
The increasing laws related to the UNGPs present challenges and opportunities for lawyers. Beyond legal advice, lawyers must guide clients on broader human rights implications, ensure firm practices align with standards, and prepare for evolving client expectations.
UNITED NATIONS GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The pillars of the UNGPs
Comprising 31 principles, the UNGPs are organised under 3 pillars—Protect, Respect and Remedy. The three pillars define the duties of States and businesses to protect human rights. Each pillar provides a set of actionable steps to ensure the protection of human rights within the context of business operations.
01 Protect
The state’s duty to protect human rights within business operations. States must set clear expectations for companies by enacting effective policies, legislation, and regulations. This ensures that proper measures are in place to prevent, investigate, punish, and redress adverse human rights impacts related to business activities.
02 Respect
Guides businesses in identifying negative human rights impacts and establishing policies to address them. Companies should commit to this responsibility by adopting a human rights policy, conducting ongoing due diligence to identify, prevent, and mitigate abuses, and providing remediation mechanisms for any adverse impacts they have caused or contributed to.
02 Remedy
Victims of human rights violations must have access to effective remedies that are legitimate, accessible, predictable, equitable, transparent, and rights-compatible. It sets criteria for judicial and non-judicial grievance mechanisms by States and businesses, emphasizing that operational-level mechanisms should be grounded in genuine engagement and dialogue with affected stakeholders.
Background on the UN Guiding Principles
1976
OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises introduced.
1977
ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles Concerning Multinational Enterprises established.
1990s
UN Draft Code of Conduct on Transnational Corporations was proposed but ultimately failed.
2000
The UN initiated the Global Compact to promote sustainable and socially responsible policies.
2003
Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations with regard to Human Rights identified.
2008
The “Protect, Respect and Remedy” (PRR) Framework was presented to the UN Human Rights Council by the Special Representative.
2011
UNGPs were unanimously endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council under John Ruggie’s leadership.
2020
25 states had published National Action Plans, with 17 more in development.
Become a member
A membership to suit both individuals and law firms
Membership of the Association is limited to commercial law firms and individual lawyers advising business enterprises in the area of business and human rights
INDIVIDUAL
£120 year
Open to individual lawyers advising business enterprises in the area of business and human rights (Inc VAT)
Exclusive members only content- Access to Association activities
- Events, communities & programs
SMALL FIRMS
£500 year
Open to small law firms advising business enterprises in the area of business and human rights (Ex VAT)
- For firms with up to 50 members
- Access to Association activities
- Events, communities & programs
MEDIUM FIRMS
£1000 year
Open to medium law firms advising business enterprises in the area of business and human rights (Ex VAT)
- For firms with up to 200 members
- Access to Association activities
- Events, communities & programs
LARGE FIRMS
£3000 year
Open to large law firms advising business enterprises in the area of business and human rights (Ex VAT)
- For firms with over 200 members
- Access to Association activities
- Events, communities & programs
Members acknowledge the business responsibility to respect human rights in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (“UNGPs”). Applications for membership shall be subject to approval by the Board of Directors or its delegate(s) and payment of an annual membership contribution
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