There are increasing demands on, and incentives for, corporations to operate in an ethically, environmentally and otherwise socially responsible manner. This is particularly important for the banking, energy, resources and manufacturing sectors, in which many businesses operate on an international level. Multinational corporations are driven by legal obligations, mainstream operational expectations, industry practices and reputation-based incentives to embrace corporate responsibility practices.
Allens Arthur Robinson’s industry-leading Corporate Responsibility Group is at the forefront of developments in this area, working for clients who are addressing these issues, as well as contributing to policy development, such as advising the United Nations in relation to the legal frameworks for business and human rights affecting corporations.
A proactive approach
Our corporate responsibility experts work closely with clients to:
- establish tailored corporate codes of conduct designed to ensure ‘best practice’ on issues including foreign corrupt practices, human rights and sustainable development;
- conduct audits of business operations to determine litigation risks and exposure in circumstances of non-compliance with relevant law and standards;
- advise on domestic and international legal standards on engagement with indigenous and other communities, the use of labour and security, and environmental management for large scale projects;
- advise on litigation, including class actions, commenced in Australia or overseas involving allegations of corporate misconduct on environmental, human rights, bribery and corruption or related standards; and
- monitor and advise on international legal developments, with a particular emphasis on developments likely to affect projects and investors in Australia, the Asia Pacific and Africa.
