On Thursday 29th September 2016 at a seminar entitled “Business and Human Rights: Does your client know the cost of not knowing?”, the Council of Europe launched the HELP Business and Human Rights distance learning course in the United Kingdom

The launch was sponsored by Mazars, Doughty Street Chambers, and the Council of Europe. It was held at Mazars’ London head office which overlooks Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London.

The seminar was chaired by Helena Kennedy QC (a member of the second chamber of the UK Parliament). Baroness Kennedy is one of the United Kingdom’s most distinguished lawyers, and is Principal of Mansfield College in the University of Oxford. Baroness Kennedy led the project to create the newly established Bonavero Institute of Human Rights which will become the focal point for human rights law scholarships in Oxford.

The speakers included Peter Herbel and Elodie Herbel of Herbel Consulting, Richard Karmel London Managing Partner of Mazars, Wayne Jordash QC of Doughty Chambers, and Elise Groulx Diggs, Doughty Street Chambers and Principal of BI for Business Integrity & Partners LLC.

The launch was well attended by a cross-section of lawyers. The seminar was followed by a lively Q&A session, and a reception.

The HELP Business and Human Rights course (written by Wayne Jordash QC) is the primary tool for lawyers of all levels who wish to improve their knowledge, client representation and, in turn, create better human rights protection at the national and international level. Following the launch 15 lawyers have enrolled on to the course.

You can obtain further information about the HELP Programme, and in particular the Business and Human Rights Course from Simon O’Toole (HELP UK Info Point, and National Trainer).

This seminar and launch of the Business and Human Rights course has paved the way for future collaborations to raise the profile of the Council of Europe HELP Programme across the UK