Business and Human Rights
Pogust Goodhead is at the cutting edge of business and human rights law, ensuring that when businesses fall short, the rights of the most vulnerable communities and individuals are safeguarded.
Historically, it has been difficult to hold large companies to account for their malpractices abroad. However, the past several years has seen a transformation in the business and human rights landscape. This is in part due to pressure on national governments to monitor the human rights impact of businesses, the need for due diligence to identify risk and a growth in judicial considerations of human rights practices.
Pogust Goodhead’s expertise has led to several successes in these areas during 2022. In December, a date was set for a UK trial to take place against mining giant BHP following the Mariana dam disaster in 2015. This follows a string of jurisdictional successes against multinational companies such as Norsk Hydro and Braskem, allowing Dutch courts to hear cases against them for environmental disasters in Northern Brazil.
Our lawyers are uniquely placed in ensuring that the rights of the most vulnerable are upheld, especially when businesses engage in illegal and unethical behaviours.
Cases
Mariana Dam Disaster
The worst environmental disaster in Brazil’s history has triggered one of the biggest legal claims ever filed in the Courts of England and Wales: the Mariana dam disaster claim.
Brumadinho Dam Disaster
After the Mariana dam disaster in 2015, officials vowed ‘never again’. However, in January 2019, just three years later, a mining disaster struck once again, this time causing an even greater loss to human life.
UEFA Champions League Compensation Claim
Liverpool fans caught up in the disturbing scenes of violence and delay outside the Champion’s League final are taking legal action against UEFA.
Maceió Salt Mine Damage
In 2018, cracks, sinkholes and earthquakes linked to rock-salt mining activities caused huge damage to streets, houses, and buildings in several neighbourhoods in Maceió, the capital of the State of Alagoas in northeast Brazil.
Orange Juice
Pogust Goodhead is representing 1,525 orange growers and former orange growers, 22 companies, and a foundation against the Cutrale family for engaging in an unlawful cartel.
Barcarena and Abaetetuba Toxic Waste Pollution
Riverside communities in Barcarena have been enduring the negative effects of pollution caused by aluminium mining for many years.
Haidar Pollution Claim
In early October 2015, a ship carrying approximately 5,000 cattle sank in the port of Vila do Conde, situated in the Para River, Brazil, close to the Atlantic Ocean.
Contact Us
If you require any help or advice, please get in touch with the Pogust Goodhead team.
