ACFE Sydney April Event -Business and Human Rights

Australia is inextricably linked to the global economy via complex webs of supply and value chains.  No business is immune from adverse implications when unethical, illegal or abusive practises may arise in global commerce, trade and services and this is no more apparent when the issue of Human Rights arises.  The convergence of Business and Human Rights is a complex and rapidly changing one.  Modern slavery and Human Rights abuses occur at a variety of levels and forms including indentured servitude, forced labour, unsafe or exploitative working conditions amongst other abuses.

As investigators that may be called in to respond to such allegation, awareness of the many levels and facets of this complex area is paramount.

In this forthcoming ACFE Sydney Chapter seminar, we will explore legal and regulatory frameworks such as those underpinned by the UN Guiding Principles, other relevant “law” or “rules of law”, newly enacted national legislation such as the UK Modern Slavery Act and others.    These issues will be illustrated by reference to some live incidents which have brought banks, financial institutions and corporates into the Human Rights discussion.

In this presentation our Speaker will:

• Provide a general introduction to the main human rights issues facing companies today;
• Outline the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights – the central document that articulates the issues;
• Identify other relevant sources of law and principles – both domestic and foreign/ international; and
• Outline various ways that human rights considerations can impact a company and what steps they should take to minimise this impact.

Donald Robertson – Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills, Sydney

Presenter

Donald practises international law and international arbitration arising from commercial transactions. He specialises in international commercial contracts and transactions, and the mechanisms under international law for allocating country and sovereign risk in investments and cross-border transactions. He also has an emphasis on the public international law aspects of corporate social responsibility and human rights as they apply to businesses.

Donald holds numerous international fellowships and a Master of Laws from New York’s Columbia University. He has written extensively for industry journals and publications, such as the Australian Journal of International Law, the Journal of Contract Law and the Australian Resources and Energy Law Journal. He is an affiliate of the Sydney Centre for International Law, and a member of the Journal of Contract Law’s editorial board. An Adjunct Professor of Law at University of Sydney Law School, Donald teaches international contract law and related subjects.

Event Details

Tuesday, 19 April 2016

1 hour CPE
Herbert Smith Freehills
Level 34, 161 Castlereagh Street
Sydney

5:15 pm Registration
5:30 pm Opening remarks and commencement of presentation
6:15 pm Questions
6:30 pm Social networking and post event discussion

Payment Options

Members: $ 25
Groups (>10): $25
Students: $20
Non-members: $ 35

1. On-line banking
Sydney Chapter of the ACFE
BSB: 032-044 (Westpac)
Account number: 602632

2.  Pay by cash during the registration meeting