CARMEL RICKARD: Ensuring fair deals in developing countries
An international pro bono organisation is helping to put top-level lawyers at the service of developing countries that need help against corporations
Governments of developing countries may well have access to better resources than they could have imagined, for legal help with re-negotiating international contracts or making complex new deals. During the SADC Lawyers’ Association conference in Botswana last week, panellist Katerina Drisi explained the role that could be played by the organisation she works for, the International Senior Lawyers Project (ISLP). Speaking during a session on extractive industry agreements and environmental regulation compliance, she said the ISLP, based in New York and London, was an international pro bono programme. Through the ISLP, senior lawyers, worldwide, donated their time and experience to help with pro bono work aimed at ensuring a level field in negotiations between developing countries and international investors. Many of these lawyers were retired or close to retirement, and highly skilled in their fields. The organisation’s focus includes natural resource management; community-inclusive ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.