Too often companies implicated in human rights abuses do not face actual consequences for their failure to respect human rights. As a result, unscrupulous companies continue their abuse with impunity, and those whose rights have been violated lack access to effective remedy. Binding legislation and liability regimes which create criminal, administrative or civil liability for a company in relation to its human rights impact, are critical in ensuring that rightsholders can exercise their human rights and have access to justice when abuses occur.

This portal covers judicial and quasi-judicial mechanisms as well as legislative developments at the national and international levels, that are legally binding and enforceable. For additional information about what we do and why we do it, see our Programme Information.

Latest from Us

March 2025 Quarterly Update on The U'wa Nation, private sector, and climate crisis

Our global update with an analysis by EarthRights International of the landmark Inter-American Court of Human Rights' ruling in favour of the land, cultural and environmental rights of U’wa Indigenous People; as well as additional legal updates and key resources on corporate legal accountability.

2024 Briefing: Unjust Transition on Trial

Read our analysis of 60 cases where communities and workers litigate to shape corporate practice.

Proposed Binding Treaty

Read the latest developments on a proposed binding treaty on business and human rights: Background on the process; Blog series; webinars and other news.

Africa Quarterly Update November 2023 | Accountability for technology companies in Africa

This update provides an overview of human rights trends in the tech industry in Africa. It also offers recommendations and sets out examples of good practice to ensure an effective fulfilment of human rights in the digital business sector.

Lundin Energy trial

Two former Lundin Energy (now Orrön) executives have been charged for complicity in war crimes in Sudan between 1999 and 2003. The trial started on 5 September 2023 in Stockholm.

Social Audit Liability

Read our latest Annual Briefing on holding social audit firms legally accountable for human rights harm.

SLAPPs in Latin America

Strategic lawsuits against public participation in the context of business and human rights

Our Publications

Explore our Corporate Legal Accountability Annual Briefings, Quarterly Updates and more.

University fellowship opportunity

Does your university have paid fellowship opportunities? Consider joining us! Find out here how you could support impacted people to hold companies legally accountable for human rights abuses.

Lawyers' Hub

Lawyers all over the world are defending the rights of victims of corporate abuse. Their work is critical in the quest for justice, but often not widely publicised. This hub is all about the lawyers who bring cases on behalf of victims, their insights on fighting for justice and the cases they bring.