The Australian Human Rights Institute recently partnered with leading Australian law firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth to support a project advancing human rights in the built environment, called A Framework for Action in the Built Environment (Framework).
The purpose of the Framework is to provide guidance to the main actors in each stage of the built environment lifecycle (e.g. governments, financiers, developers, designers and building managers) regarding the key human rights to be protected within each stage and how this can be achieved.
As part of their eminent pro bono practice, Corrs Chambers Westgarth (Corrs) worked with the Australian Human Rights Institute to produce a series of White Papers that will facilitate ongoing consultation with governments, industry representatives and the broader community to advance the Framework.
A team of enthusiastic lawyers from Corrs was engaged to draft the White Papers, led by Kirsty Davis (Special Counsel) and guided by Christine Covington (Partner) and Dr Phoebe Wynn-Pope, Head of Business and Human Rights at Corrs and a member of the Australian Human Rights Institute advisory committee.
Kirsty Davis spoke to Laura Melrose about the partnership.
Why did this partnership appeal to Corrs?
At Corrs, we are always looking out for opportunities to partner with organisations like the Australian Human Rights Institute to advance our work in the pro bono space.
The Framework for Action project really resonated with us, particularly our environment and planning team, because planning, designing and developing the built environment is what we advise our clients on every day.
When we announced the project to our team, we were spoilt for choice! All of our lawyers wanted to work on it.
How was the experience working on this project?
Working on the Framework for Action project has been a great reminder for each of us of the need to ensure human rights are considered and protected at all stages of the built environment lifecycle.
Human rights protection is not an issue that is relevant only in other countries. It is relevant in the Australian context too. As part of the project, we found a number of Australian examples where risks to human rights also need to be managed, such as addressing corruption in the development approvals process, the safe construction of buildings, the availability of affordable housing and modern slavery in materials supply chains.
The lawyers who worked on the project also enjoyed learning about the international law framework that governs human rights in the built environment. They gained valuable insights from the examining legal regimes in other jurisdictions, learning lessons from what is being done abroad and how that might be applied in an Australian context.
Would you recommend a partnership like this to other law firms?
Absolutely. In recent years, there has been a growing trend of law firms focusing on their pro bono activities and the importance of giving back to the community. This trend is also being pushed by the next generation of lawyers who are joining the profession.
Firms are adapting to this and offering staff more opportunities to use their knowledge and resources to give back to the community and help create change on projects that are important to them.
Participating in pro bono activities like the Framework for Action project also helps staff to grow personally and professionally. You are reminded to think more broadly and creatively about matters and this gives you a better informed perspective.
Why do you think advancing human rights in the built environment is important?
Having a well-planned and built environment that is inclusive and responsive to the needs of those who use it every day, creates healthier and safer communities.
People want to live and work in such places. So for governments, developers and other key players who create the built environment, seeking to achieve positive design, use and accessibility outcomes simply makes good business sense. It can be a ‘win-win’ for all involved.