This online seminar will introduce recent developments in law and policy in the field of business and human rights and discuss the relevance of those developments for international economic law, in particular in the field of investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS).  Over the last decade there has been an increased focus, in that latter field, on the need to protect State’s so-called “right to regulate” in relation to, for example, environmental or social matters. There is also increasing scrutiny of the conduct of investors in relation to these matters and which in some ISDS cases is affecting the outcome of disputes.  In parallel to these developments in the field of ISDS, there have been important developments in the field of business and human rights which have established new expectations and obligations on private enterprises to ensure respect for human rights in their operations and supply chains. The relevance of these developments for the ongoing debates regarding investor conduct in ISDS cases will be considered.

About the Speaker:

Mr. Antony Crockett is a public international law and cross-border dispute resolution specialist, based in the Hong Kong office of Herbert Smith Freehills.

Antony leads Herbert Smith Freehills’ Business and Human Rights practice in the Asia Pacific Region, advising clients on human rights due diligence, crisis management, policy and compliance. Antony also represents clients in investment treaty arbitration, international commercial arbitration and other cross-border disputes.

In addition to his contentious practice, Antony has extensive experience advising governments, international organisations and private sector clients on public international law issues, including State and diplomatic immunity, trade law (WTO and bi/multi-laterals), sanctions and embargoes, recognition of States and governments, treaty law, human rights and international economic law.

Antony is admitted as a Solicitor Advocate of the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as a solicitor in England & Wales and as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia.