INCLUSIVE LAW

Robert McCorquodale

Robert has been working in the area of business and human rights, and international law, for about 30 years. He combines academic knowledge with practical legal experience, and management skills with international breadth. 

Robert began as a commercial litigation lawyer in Sydney and London, and then became an academic at the University of Cambridge, Australian National University and the University of Nottingham, where he is now an Emeritus Professor of International Law and Human Rights. He combines this with being a barrister at Brick Court Chambers in London. He has been the Head of two Law Schools and was the Director for 10 years of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL), one of the world's leading independent applied legal research bodies.
In August 2022, Robert was appointed to the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights. This is an independent body of 5 members from around the world, who provide guidance, reports, etc., to states, companies and civil society on matters concerning business and human rights. It is a six year appointment. 

He has advised companies of all sizes, assisted governments around the world, been involved with civil society and intergovernmental organisations in drafting legal changes, and worked with trade and industry associations. This has included capacity building, legislative proposals and training, based on his expert knowledge. Robert has also drafted national constitutions, advised governments and independence movements, and spoken at events around the world. 

Robert co-authored the study on mandatory due diligence in supply chains for the European Commission, which directly led to the European Commissioner for Justice deciding to begin drafting legislation in this area.