Directors' Duties and Responsible Business Conduct: Reform without Remedy?

Professor Robert McCorquodale, University of Nottingham, will lead a discussion with the Oxford Business and Human Rights Network on 'Directors' Duties and Responsible Business Conduct: Reform without Remedy?'  This will consider the possible reasons and obstacles to include consideration of human rights and environmental matters as a requirement of a director's duties. While s172 with s414C of the Companies Act currently expect directors to include consideration of these matters as part of their report, it seems that there is limited possibility for claims to be brought (and if so, by whom) for breach or failure of this duty. There have been proposals by the European Commission and the British Academy to increase expectations on directors and to understand the social purpose of companies, as well as the impacts of human rights due diligence on corporate responsibilities.

Robert McCorquodale is Professor of International Law and Human Rights at the University of Nottingham, a barrister at Brick Court Chambers, London and the Founder of Inclusive Law, a consultancy on business and human rights. He was Director of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) for 10 years.

He has over 25 years of experience working in business and human rights, with a particular focus on the legal developments and business practices with respect to human rights due diligence and implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. He has advised business of all sizes, assisted governments around the world, been involved with civil society, industry and organisations in drafting legal changes and in litigation. This has included capacity building, legislative proposals and training, as well as interviewing and qualitative research.