National University of Ireland: Exploring Litigation as a Business and Human Rights Remedy– 24 March 2017

Date: 24 March 2017

Time: 9:30am - 4:45pm

Venue: National College of Ireland, Galway

The Irish Centre for Human Rights is pleased to announce this one-day conference which will examine the opportunities, challenges and barriers to pursuing cases in Irish courts against companies implicated in serious human rights abuses. It is especially timely in the context of Ireland’s commitment to implementing the UN Guiding Principles on business and human rights, which emphasise the importance of remedies for victims of human rights violations connected with business activities. The conference will bring together legal experts, practitioners, academics and advocates to explore civil litigation for serious human rights harms in the Irish context.  The conference will draw on the experience of other jurisdictions, including the United States, the United Kingdom and France. Recent litigation has led to notable settlements for victims of corporate human rights harms, including where such violations have occurred outside of the jurisdiction where cases have been taken. The feasibility of similar litigation in Ireland will be considered, and in particular the legal and practical barriers which may prevent remedies for business-related human rights harms. 

Speakers include

  • Professor Anita Ramasastray, University of Washington; United Nations Working Group on business and human rights 
  • Richard Meeran, Partner, Leigh Day, London
  • Marie-Laure Guislain, Head of Litigation, Sherpa, Globalisation and Human Rights Program – CSR
  • Eilis Barry, Chief Executive Officer, Free Legal Advice Centres
  • Dr Gearóid O’Cuinn, Lancaster University, Global Legal Action Network
  • Eamon Conlon, Partner, A&L Goodbody, Dublin

There is no fee to attend, but spaces are limited, so those interested in attending should register as soon as possible to guarantee a place. The closing date for registration is 10 March 2017

The full programme for the conference will be made available shortly.          

For further information, please contact Dr Shane Darcy, Irish Centre for Human Rights, National University of Ireland Galway (shane.darcy@nuigalway.ie).

 

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