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31 May 2024 / Matthew Kay , Mike Harvey
Issue: 8073 / Categories: Features , Profession , Environment , Company
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The (green) heart of ESG

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As engagement with the ESG agenda moves from a nice-to-have to a must-have, Matthew Kay & Mike Harvey consider the role of legal teams

The ESG agenda presents an opportunity in many ways for legal teams to further ingratiate themselves into the business and play a strategic role. But it can be difficult to adopt an opportunity outlook from a risk outlook, and there is no denying that an increased focus on all the issues which fall under the ‘ESG’ (environmental, social and governance) banner add to a lawyers’ already busy to-do list. For example, in 2022, a survey from EY revealed that 99% of general counsels (GCs) expected environmental and social concerns to add to their workload. The vast majority—95%—also reported that reconciling the balance between financial and sustainability goals presented a challenge (‘The general counsel imperative: how the law department is key in unlocking your sustainability strategy’, EY, 6 April 2022).

Ever-evolving global regulation regarding ESG alone can keep lawyers busy, never mind the increased focus

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

HFW—Simon Petch

HFW—Simon Petch

Global shipping practice expands with experienced ship finance partner hire

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Infrastructure specialist joins as partner in Glasgow office

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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