Academic programme
Corporate accountability for sustainable development
Presented by: Litigation Commission; Commercial Fraud Commission
Workshop #5
DATE & TIME
LOCATION
Thursday, 5 September
14:00 – 16:00
Fernandes room; Level B-C (-2 floor)
DESCRIPTION
Large corporations hold more powers than most states and account for a large part of the human activity effects on public health and the environment. But should they be held liable for harming our planet? Judging by the growing wave of climate and environmental litigation cases against corporations, it seems that this is the case. Pressure mounts on businesses to deliver more concrete actions against the threat of climate change and damages to public health.
The session organised by the Litigation and Commercial Fraud commissions will look at key trends in climate change litigation. It will start by two mock trials with realistic cases, the first one on civil liability of car manufacturers for global warming and the second one on criminal liability of energy trading companies for environmental harm. They will be followed by an armchair discussion on corporate liability with respect to public health and the environment, with a focus on practical experiences.
Detailed schedule:
Introduction – Cinzia Catelli, Bär & Karrer (Switzerland) and James Le Gallais, Stewarts (UK)
Mock trial #1
Civil case: Should car manufacturers be liable for global warming?
Litigants:
- Rim Ben Ammar, Law and More (Belgium)
- Silvia Dahlberg, Vinge (Sweden)
Chair: Cinzia Catelli, Bär & Karrer (Switzerland)
Judge: Benjamin Wilson, Holland & Knight LLP (US)
Vote by the public
Mock trial #2
Criminal case: Should energy trading companies be criminally liable for local environment damages related to energy extraction?
Prosecutor and defence lawyer:
- Chris Atkinson, Lipman Karas (UK)
- Magdalena Heyder, Homburger (Switzerland)
Chair: Nicolas Herren, Pestalozzi Attorneys at Law (Switzerland)
Judge: Thomas Ricard, JP Karsenty & Associés (France)
Discussion on corporate liability with respect to public health and environment with a focus on practical experiences.
Chairs:
- Damien Devot, Meyer Fabre (France)
- David Sleight, Kingsley Napley (UK)
Speakers:
- Sylvie Gallage-Alwis, Signature Litigation (France)
- Niccolo Landi, Landi (Italy)
- Elaina Bailes, Stewarts (UK)
SPEAKERS & MODERATORS
Sylvie Gallage-Alwis
Signature Litigation, France
Speaker
Niccolo Landi
Landi, Italy
Speaker
Elaina Bailes
Stewarts, UK
Speaker
Benjamin Wilson
Holland & Knight LLP, US
Speaker
Rim Ben Ammar
Law and More, Belgium
Speaker
Silvia Dahlberg
Vinge, Sweden
Speaker
Thomas Ricard
JP Karsenty & Associés, France
Speaker
Damien Devot
Meyer Fabre, France
Moderator
Chris Atkinson
Lipman Karas, UK
Speaker
Nicolas Herren
Pestalozzi Attorneys at Law, Switzerland
Moderator
Magdalena Heyder
Homburger, Switzerland
Speaker
David Sleight
Kingsley Napley, UK
Moderator
GENERAL REPORTERS
Cinzia Catelli
Bär & Karrer, Switzerland
Damien Devot
Meyer Fabre, France
Nicolas Herren
Pestalozzi Attorneys at Law, Switzerland
