Our specialist Business and Human Rights team supports clients in navigating complex human rights issues arising across global business operations, activities and supply chains.
We recognise the opportunities for organisations that meaningfully demonstrate respect for human rights. Our team also understands the multifaceted legal, financial and reputational challenges that can arise in the context of human rights issues, especially in today’s dynamic ESG landscape.
In order to achieve meaningful outcomes for businesses when tackling these risks, we use market-leading cross‑disciplinary teams, with experts in crisis management, investigations, governance, risk mitigation, and dispute resolution. Our team balances commercial and best practice advice with existing human rights frameworks to manage and avoid adverse human rights impacts.
We regularly advise clients on global and international human rights laws, standards and guidelines, human rights disclosures and due diligence, engagement with regulators, remediation of human rights incidences, and grievance management.
Our team covers the field including with respect to Modern Slavery, Anti Bribery and Corruption, Responsible Business and Climate & ESG.
Our approach combines legal expertise with practical solutions tailored to your unique business context. We focus on:
We advised UNICEF on the rights of children to effectively participate in justice proceedings in a language they fully understand, focusing on the East Asia and Pacific region. Our work involved developing frameworks that promote children's rights and ensure their voices are heard in legal processes, reinforcing UNICEF's mission to protect and empower vulnerable populations.
We advised UNICEF on a strategy for the legal empowerment of children to enjoy their rights to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. KWM drafted a comprehensive report and regional strategy, conducted expert and stakeholder consultations, performed a technical assessment of international and regional legal developments, and mapped key case studies of children's legal empowerment across the East Asia and Pacific region. Our team also developed and delivered capacity development workshops in collaboration with UNICEF Country Offices in Indonesia and Malaysia, providing tailored resources and guidance materials on children’s rights. This initiative strengthened the capacity of local stakeholders to advocate for children's rights effectively.
KWM advised several renewable energy companies on managing modern slavery risks within their solar photovoltaic and wind turbine component supply chains. Our team conducted risk assessments and developed tailored strategies to ensure compliance with modern slavery laws. This proactive approach not only mitigated legal risks but also reinforced the companies’ commitment to sustainable practices.
Latest Thinking
In a significant development for Australia’s modern slavery framework, the Australian Government announced plans on 16 July 2026 to introduce a new criminal offence for the failure to prevent modern slavery and reiterated its intention to introduce civil penalties and associated enforcement powers to address non-compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) (Act).
17 July 2026
Our Experts in Business & Human Rights
