Corporate Accountability
Much of our work is concerned with holding corporations accountable for their actions. We represent individuals who have suffered injury or loss as a result of defective products and the actions of UK corporations both at home and abroad. Our lawyers also work closely with a variety of NGOs, charities and individuals to compel public authorities and regulatory bodies to enforce policies and regulations which seek to improve corporate responsibility and accountability.
Examples of some of the cases we have handled include:
- Bringing proceedings against HM Treasury for failing to implement its own environmental policies in the newly nationalised banks
- Challenging the Serious Fraud Office’s decision to drop its bribery and corruption investigation into BAE Systems plc and Saudi Arabia
- Successfully challenging the Export Credit Guarantee Department’s failure to consult before watering down anti-corruption and bribery safeguards at the behest of big business on behalf of Corner House Research
- Securing substantial settlements of behalf of Iraqi citizens from the Ministry of Defence
- Obtaining compensation for Colombian farmers in an environmental claim against BP
- Successfully securing compensation for South African miners in a case brought against Cape plc
- Representing the families of people killed or injured in the Paddington rail crash
- Obtaining compensation for a number of people injured or killed in avoidable workplace accidents, including for the widow of a construction worker who died on a Laing O’Rourke site
News
Legal challenge to SFO plea bargain decision-
Leigh Day is challenging the decision of the SFO to enter a plea bargain with BAE
BAE plea bargain faces legal challenge-
Leigh Day writes to SFO asking to revoke BAE plea bargain
Proposal to change EU law would deny justice to multinationals’ human rights victims-
Leigh Day and NGOs forward submission to EC regarding Regulation 44/2001
Judicial review launched against Government over RBS investments-
Three environment groups are looking to ensure that the taxpayers’ money invested in RBS meets particular standards
Richard Meeran gives evidence to JCHR-
Leigh Day partner Richard Meeran gave evidence to the Joint Committee on Human Rights on 9th June 2009
BAE case reaches House of Lords-
The House of Lords is considering an appeal from the High Court regarding the SFO's decision to halt an investigation into BAE.
Rights of whistleblowers-
Sean Humber and Benjamin Burrows of the Human Rights Department have advised whistleblowers, in both healthcare and prison settings, in relation to their rights and the issues that they need to consider.
Unlawful killing verdict for a Laing O'Rourke construction worker-
On Wednesday 7 February, an inquest jury announced a verdict of unlawful killing in the case of Kieron Deeney who fell 40 feet to his death on a Laing O'Rourke construction site in Canary Wharf.
Double victory for anti-corruption watchdog-
The Corner House, who campaigns against corruption in international trade, has won an important double victory against the government who agreed to consult them on anti-corruption rules. They were also the first NGO to be granted a protective costs order. They were represented by judicial review expert Richard Stein.
In the aftermath of Paddington-
On the 5th October 1999, two trains collided almost head on when a Thames Train commuter service went through a red light just outside Paddington Station
