This course provides a detailed and practical exploration of corporate accountability for human rights violations under international, regional, and domestic legal frameworks. Students will examine corporate obligations in global supply chains, conflict zones, and regulatory environments, and evaluate mechanisms such as civil litigation, criminal liability, transnational torts, and administrative enforcement. The course emphasizes both legal risk management and proactive due diligence strategies for companies.
Through hands-on legal training, students will develop skills in legal advisory, litigation strategy, corporate compliance auditing, and policy development. The course prepares legal practitioners, compliance officers, and corporate counsel to effectively navigate human rights due diligence, liability risk, and evolving expectations of global business responsibility.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
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Understand the legal and normative frameworks governing corporate responsibility for human rights.
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Analyze litigation mechanisms used to hold corporations accountable for human rights abuses.
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Evaluate the practical implications of due diligence and reporting regulations (e.g., UNGPs, OECD Guidelines, national laws).
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Develop legal risk assessment tools tailored to specific industries and operational regions.
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Design and critique corporate human rights compliance programs.
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Engage in litigation, compliance, and stakeholder engagement simulations.
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Anticipate emerging legal trends in corporate accountability and human rights law.
