Corporate Divestment: Addressing Legacy Harms and Legal Accountability

When multinationals divest from operations in the Global South, they often leave behind serious environmental and human rights harms. What legal tools exist to hold them accountable? And what reforms are needed to prevent corporations from walking away with impunity?

Join leading voices from law, civil society and international organisations as they use Shell’s recent exit from the Niger Delta as a case study to explore key legal, regulatory, and financial issues around divestment and legacy liability.

Hosted by the Human Rights Lawyers Association, with thanks to Leigh Day for kindly hosting the event at their offices. Free and open to all.

🥂 Drinks reception to follow (in-person attendees).

Key themes will include:

1) Niger Delta Litigation:

Ongoing litigation brought by Leigh Day in the High Court, London, on behalf of communities affected by Shell’s oil spills. This includes the Bodo clean-up trial (May, 2025) and the landmark Ogale & Bille group litigation (proceeding to trial in 2027).

2) Corporate Greenwashing & ‘Just Transition’:

Exploring whether multinationals use the green transition as cover to evade accountability, and the need to clarify what a truly “just” transition means for the Global South.

3) Due Diligence & Legal Liability:

Examining existing legal obligations and mechanisms for holding companies accountable for legacy harms when divesting from operations.

4) Financial & Investor Responsibility:

The role of investors and shareholders in responsible divestment, including the potential use of ESG frameworks to ensure financial accountability.

5) Scope for Reform:

Discussing legal and regulatory reforms - from domestic law to international frameworks - necessary to prevent corporations from walking away from environmental and human rights abuses.