Professor Justine Nolan
MPP University of California, Berkeley
LLB(Hons) ANU
BSc ANU
Justine Nolan is a Professor in the Faculty of Law and Justice at UNSW Sydney and Director of the Australian Human Rights Institute. Justine's research focuses on the intersection of business and human rights, in particular, supply chain responsibility for human rights and modern slavery. Her 2019 co-authored book Addressing Modern Slavery examines how consumers, business and government are both part of the problem and the solution in curbing modern slavery in global supply chains (see review in The Australian or other reviews here). Other recent books include The International Law of Human Rights (OUP, 2017) and Business and Human Rights: From Principles to Practice (Routledge, 2016). She teaches international human rights law and related courses on global law, development, globalisation and business and human rights. Justine works closely with business, government and civil society and has been a key driver of the Australian business and human rights movement. In 2019 she was named 'Academic of the Year' at the Australian Law Awards. From 2016-2019 she served as Associate Dean Academic at UNSW Law. She is an Associate of the Australian Human Rights Institute (UNSW) and a Visiting Professorial Scholar at NYU's Stern Center for Business and Human Rights.
Prior to joining UNSW in 2004, she worked as the Director of the Business and Human Rights program at the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights (now Human Rights First) in the USA. This work examined ways in which to prevent and redress corporate violations of human rights. During this time Justine advised both companies and civil society organisations on effective strategies to protect human rights in the corporate sphere and was closely involved in the establishment of the Fair Labor Association.
She has also worked in both public interest and private legal practices. She has held various expert advisory roles. In 2020 Justine was appointed to the Australian Government's Modern Slavery Expert Advisory Group. Other appointments include the Australian Government's Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group on Business and Human Rights (2017) and a the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade & Ausaid's Human Rights Grants Scheme Expert Panel (2009-2013) which provided practical financial support for small community-based projects to promote and protect human rights in developing countries. She was an advisory member of NSW Legal Aid's Human Rights Panel (2012-2017). Justine has given guest lectures at a number of universities including more recently Yale, NYU, Stanford, UC Berkeley, University of Geneva, Columbia University, City University Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong. She has consulted to a range of organisations including UNICEF and the International Corporate Accountability Roundtable (ICAR). From 2006-2017 she was the Deputy Director of the Australian Human Rights Centre. She is a member of the Editorial Board of the Business and Human Rights Journal.
Areas of expertise

- EMAIL Justine
- Phone: +61 (0)425 260496
- Room 332, Law Building, UNSW Kensington Campus
- FOLLOW
Nolan J; Boersma M, 2019, Addressing Modern Slavery, UNSW Press, Sydney Australia, https://www.newsouthbooks.com.au/books/anti-modern-slavery-manifesto/
Nolan J; McBeth A; Rice S, 2017, The International Law of Human Rights, 2, Oxford University Press, Australia
Nolan J; Rice S; Mcbeth A, 2011, The International Law of Human Rights, Original, Oxford University Press, http://www.oup.com.au/titles/higher_ed/law/human_rights_law/9780195568806
Nolan J; Baumann Pauly D, (ed.), 2016, Business and Human Rights: From Principles to Practice, Routledge, UK
Nolan J; Baumann Pauly D, (ed.), 2016, Business and Human Rights: From Principles to Practice, Routledge, UK
Ford J; Nolan J; Esteves MB; Honório RDO; Lima JB; Pontes JAS; Sestito Neto A; Sica LPPP, 2020, 'A regulação da transparência em direitos humanos e escravidão moderna nas cadeias de suprimentos corporativas', DESC - Direito, Economia e Sociedade Contemporânea, vol. 3, pp. 99 - 130, http://dx.doi.org/10.33389/desc.v3n1.2020.p99-130
Nolan J; Chappell L, 2020, 'Foreword to the New Thinking on Business and Human Rights Special Issue', Australian Journal of Human Rights, vol. 26, pp. 1 - 4, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1323238X.2020.1791396
Sinclair A; Nolan J, 2020, 'Modern Slavery Laws in Australia: Steps in the Right Direction?', Business and Human Rights Journal, vol. 5, pp. 164 - 170, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/bhj.2019.7
Nolan J; Boersma M, 2020, 'Can blockchain help resolve modern slavery in supply chains?', AIB Insights, https://aibinsights.scholasticahq.com/
Ford J; Nolan J, 2020, 'Regulating transparency on human rights and modern slavery in corporate supply chains: the discrepancy between human rights due diligence and the social audit', Australian Journal of Human Rights, vol. 26, pp. 27 - 45, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1323238X.2020.1761633
Nolan J; Frishling N, 2019, 'Australia's Modern Slavery Act: Towards Meaningful Compliance', Company and Securities Law Journal, vol. 37, pp. 104 - 126, https://www.westlaw.com.au/maf/wlau/app/document?&src=search&docguid=Ib8d2477ad9d911e98d34858489f4be61&epos=4&snippets=true&fcwh=true&startChunk=1&endChunk=1&nstid=std-anz-highlight&nsds=AUNZ_SEARCHALL&isTocNav=true&tocDs=AUNZ_AU_JOURNALS_TOC&context=2&extLink=false&searchFromLinkHome=true
Nolan J, 2018, 'Hardening Soft Law: Are the emerging corporate social disclosure laws capable of generating substantial compliance with human rights?', Brazilian Journal of International Law, vol. 15, pp. 65 - 84, http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3251087
Nolan J; Bott G, 2018, 'Global Supply Chains and Human Rights: Spotlight on forced labour and modern slavery practices', Australian Journal of Human Rights, vol. 24, pp. 44 - 69, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1323238x.2018.1441610
Nolan J, 2017, 'Business and human rights: The challenge of putting principles into practice and regulating global supply chains', Alternative Law Journal, vol. 42, pp. 42 - 46, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1037969X17694783
Nolan J; farbenblum B, 2017, 'The Business of Migrant Worker Recruitment: Who has the Responsibility and Leverage to Protect Rights?', Texas International Law Journal, vol. 52, pp. 1 - 44
Baumann-Pauly D; Nolan J; van Heerden A; Samway M, 2017, 'Industry-Specific Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives That Govern Corporate Human Rights Standards: Legitimacy assessments of the Fair Labor Association and the Global Network Initiative', Journal of Business Ethics, vol. 143, pp. 771 - 787, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10551-016-3076-z
Nolan J, 2014, 'Refining the Rules of the Game: The Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights', Utrecht Journal of International and European Law, vol. 30, pp. 7 - 23, http://dx.doi.org/10.5334/ujiel.ca
Nolan J; Posner M; Labowitz S, 2014, 'Beyond Kiobel: Alternative Remedies for Sustained Human Rights Protection', American Journal of International Law Unbound, vol. January 2014, pp. e-48, http://www.asil.org/sites/default/files/AGORA/201401/Nolan%20et%20al%20AJIL%20Unbound%20e-48%20(2014).pdf
Nolan J; Taylor L, 2009, 'Corporate Responsibility for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: Rights in Search of a Remedy?', Journal of Business Ethics, vol. 87, pp. 433 - 451, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10551-009-0295-6
Nolan J, 2009, 'The China Dilemma: Internet censorship and corporate responsibility', Asian Journal of Comparative Law, vol. 4, pp. article 3 - 1-28, http://dx.doi.org/10.2202/1932-0205.1160
Nolan J, 2008, 'Multinationals and Corporate Social Responsibility, Limitations and Opportunities in International Law', MODERN LAW REVIEW, vol. 71, pp. 492 - 496, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2230.2008.00703_1.x
Nolan J, 2008, 'Human rights at the UN: The political history of universal justice', AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, vol. 43, pp. 572 - 573, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000258773300016&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
Kinley D; Nolan J, 2008, 'Trading & Aiding Human Rights: Corporations in the Global Economy', Nordisk Tidsskrift for Menneskerettigheter: Nordic journal on human rights, vol. 25, pp. 353 - 377
Kinley D; Nolan J; Zerial N, 2007, 'Reflections on the United Nations Human Rights Norms for Corporations', Company and Securities Law Journal, vol. 25, pp. 30 - 42
Nolan J; Kinley D; Zerial N, 2007, 'The Politics of Corporate Social Resonsibility: Reflections on the UN Human Rights Norms for Companies', Company and Securities Law Journal, vol. 1, pp. 30 - 42
Nolan J, 2007, 'Corporate Responsibility in Australia: rhetoric or reality?', Australian Journal of Human Rights, vol. 12, pp. 63 - 88
Nolan J, 2005, 'With Power Comes Responsibiity: Human RIghts and Corporate Accountability', University of New South Wales Law Journal, vol. 28, pp. 581 - 613
Nolan J, 2005, 'The United Nations Compact with Business: Hindering or Helping with Protection of Human Rights?', University of Queensland Law Journal, vol. 24, pp. 445 - 466
Nolan J; Posner M, 2000, 'International Standards to promote Labor Rights', Columbia Business Law Review
Nolan J; Frishling N, 2020, 'Human Rights Due Diligence and the (over) Reliance on Social Auditing in Supply Chains', in Deva S; Birchall D (ed.), Research Handbook on Human Rights and Business, Edward Elgar Publishing, UK
Moon GF; Nolan J, 2018, 'Embedded Liberalism and Global Business: Domestic stability versus corporate autonomy?', in The Future of International Economic Integration: The Embedded Liberalism Compromise Revisited, Cambridge University Press, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/9781108224949
Nolan J, 2018, 'Regulating Human Rights and Responsibilities in Global Supply Chains', in Murray J; Malik A; Geschke A (ed.), The Social Effects of Global Trade, Pan Stanford, USA, pp. 19 - 30, http://dx.doi.org/10.1201/b22382
Nolan J, 2017, 'Human rights and global supply chains: is effective supply chain accountability possible?', in Deva S; Bilchitz D (ed.), Building a Treaty on Business and Human Rights : Context and Contours, Cambridge University Press, UK, pp. 238 - 265, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/9781108183031.011
Nolan J; Baumann-Pauly D; Posner M, 2016, '7.2 The Future of Business and Human Rights', in nolan J; Baumann-Pauly D (ed.), Business and Human Rights: From Principles to Practice, edn. 1st, Routledge, UK, pp. 316 - 320
Nolan J; Baumann-Pauly D; Labowitz S; van Heerden A, 2016, '4.1 Setting and Enforcing Industry-Specific Standards for Human Rights: the Role of Multi-stakeholder Initiatives in Regulating Corporate Conduct', in nolan J; Baumann-Pauly D (ed.), Business and Human Rights: From Principles to Practice, edn. 1st, Routledge, UK, pp. 107 - 127
Nolan J, 2016, '2.1 Mapping the Movement: the regulatory framework for business and human rights and 2.4 A Business and Human Rights Treaty', in nolan J; Baumann-Pauly D (ed.), Business and Human Rights: From Principles to Practice, edn. 1st, Routledge, UK, pp. 31 - 76
Nolan J, 2016, '1.1 Business and Human Rights in Context and 1.4 Rana Plaza: the collapse of a factory in Bangladesh and its ramifications for the global garment industry', in Nolan J; Baumann Pauly D (ed.), Business and Human Rights From Principles to Practice, edn. 1st, Routledge, UK, pp. 1 - 30
Nolan J, 2015, 'From Principles to Practice: Implementing Corporate Responsibility for Human Rights', in The Business and Human Rights Landscape Moving Forward, Looking Back, Cambridge University Press, ebook, pp. 387 - 413
Nolan J, 2015, 'All care, no responsibility?', in Blecher LJ; Stafford NK; Bellamy G (ed.), Corporate Responsibility for Human Rights Impacts: New Expectations and Paradigms, pp. 3 - 26
Nolan J, 2013, 'The Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights: Soft Law or Not Law?', in Deva S; Bilchitz D (ed.), Human Rights Obligations of Business, Cambridge University Press, pp. 138 - 161, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139568333.010
Nolan J; van Heerden A, 2013, 'Engaging Business in the Business of Human Rights', in Pedersen MB; Kinley D (ed.), Principled Engagement: Negotiating Human Rights in Repressive States, Ashgate, England, pp. 153 - 170
Nolan J; Mcbeth A, 2012, 'The International Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms', in Tully S (ed.), International Corporate Legal Responsibility, edn. Original, Wolters Kluwer, The Netherlands, pp. 175 - 274
Nolan J, 2009, 'The nexus between human rights and business: Defining the sphere of corporate responsibility', in Farrall J; Rubenstein K (ed.), Sanctions Accountability and Governance in a Globalised World, edn. Original, Cambridge University Press, UK, pp. 217 - 238
Nolan J; Kinley D, 2008, 'Human rights, corporations and the global economy: an international law perspective', in Handbook of Research on Global Corporate Citizenship, Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, UK, pp. 343 - 373
Nolan J; Kinley D; Zerial N, 2007, 'The Norms are dead! Long live the Norms! The politics behind the UN Human Rights Norms for Corporations', in The New Corporate Accountability: Corporate Responsibility & the Law, edn. 1, Cambridge, UK, pp. 459 - 475
Nolan J; Posner M, 2003, 'Can Codes of Conduct play a role in promoting workers' rights?', in Flanagan R; Gould W (ed.), International Labor Standards: Globalization, Trade and Public Policy, Stanford University Press, Stanford CA USA
Nolan J; McGauhey F; Marshall S; Adams K, 2019, Submission on behalf of ACAN to the Draft Guidance for Reporting Entities on Modern Slavery (May 2019)
Nolan J; Ford J; Islam MA, 2019, Regulating Transparency and Disclosures on Modern Slavery in Global Supply Chains, CPA Australia, Australia, https://cdn.cpaaustralia.com.au/-/media/corporate/allfiles/document/professional-resources/esg/modern-slavery-global-supply-chains.pdf?la=en&rev=6c100dc809774bd4b97f9e6e27e09fda
Yu A; Lo A; Bennett Moses L; Clarke R; Farbenblum B; Joyce D; De Leeuw M; Manwaring K; Nolan J; Zalnieriute M, 2018, Response to Issues Paper on Human Rights and Technology, https://tech.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/inline-files/70%20-%20The%20Allens%20Hub%20for%20Technology,%20Law%20and%20Innovation.pdf
Nolan J, 2018, Submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee: Inquiry into the provisions of the Modern Slavery Bill 2018
Nolan J; Baumann-Pauly D; Landau I, 2018, Submission to the United Nations Working Group Consultations on Corporate Human Rights Due Diligence
Nolan J, 2017, Submission to Australian Justice Minister’s Inquiry into Modern Slavery
Nolan J; Ford J, 2017, Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Inquiry into Establishing a Modern Slavery Act in Australia
Nolan J, 2016, Submission to the United Nations Open Ended Inter-Governmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations & Other Business Enterprises With Respect To Human Rights 2016
Nolan J; Kiobel E; others , 2012, Esther Kiobel et al v Royal Dutch Petroleum et at, Supreme Court of the US, Supplemental Brief of Australian International Law Scholars, Amici Curiae in support of Petitioners,, Supreme Court of the US
nolan J, 2009, Joint submission of international academic human rights programs’ to the UK Parliament Joint Committee on Human Rights Inquiry into business and human rights,
Nolan J, 2006, Submission to CAMAC's Corporate Social Responsibility Discussion Paper
Nolan J, 2005, Submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services
Nolan J; Boersma M, 2021, Submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Customs Amendment (Banning Goods Produced by Uyghur Forced Labour) Bill 2020
Nolan J; Farbenblum B, 2014, Is the World Cup Worth Dying For?
Nolan J, 2014, Book review of The Politics of Global Supply Chains, Lexis Nexis
Nolan J, 2013, Book review of The Promise and LImits of Private Power
Nolan J, 2012, Book review of Regulating Corporate Human Rights Violations: Humanizing Business
Nolan J, 2012, Book review of Half the Sky: How to Change the World
Nolan J, 2009, Book review of Human Rights and Corporations
Nolan J; Posner M, 2008, A new frontier in human rights protection: human rights, NGOs and business
Nolan J, 2008, Book review of Roger Normand and Sarah Zaidi Human Rights at the United Nations: The Political History of Universal Justice
Nolan J, 2008, Book reviewof Jennifer A. Zerk, Multinationals and Corporate Social Responsibility, Limitations and Opportunities in International Law, Wiley: No OnlineOpen
Nolan J, 2008, Book review Human rights at the UN: The political history of universal justice, Taylor & Francis
Nolan J, 2006, Materiality and the Australian Policy Landscape, AccountAbility
nolan J, 2004, New Mechanism to hold corporations accountable for human rights'
Nolan J, 2004, Human Rights, the Environment and Business
Rice (ed.), 2004, Book Review of Retreat from Justice, UNSW Faculty of Law
Nolan J, 2004, New Mechanism To Hold Corporations Accountable for Human Rights Abuses, Australian Human Rights Centre
Conference Papers
Nolan J, 2006, 'Corporate Accountability and Triple Line Reporting: Determining the Material Issues for Disclosure', in Enhancing Corporate Accountability prospects and Challenges, Enhancing Corporate Accountability prospects and Challenges, Melbourne, presented at Enhancing Corporate Accountability prospects and Challenges, Melbourne, 08 February 2006 - 09 February 2006
UNSW Arc Postgraduate Outstanding Research Supervisor Award (2020)
Academic of the Year, Australian Law Awards (2019)
UNSW Vice Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence (2018)
UNSW Plus Alliance Fellow (2019-2020)
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2018 CPA Australia, Global Research Perspectives Program: 'Regulating Transparency and Disclosures on Modern Slavery in Global Supply Chains' $61,000
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2014 UNSW Labour Migration Recruitment Industry: A Human Rights Based Approach $6,000 (with Bassina Farbenblum)
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2009 UNSW Corporate Accountability for Human Rights and Codes of Conduct: evaluating the mechanisms of protection $7,000
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2007 UNSW Early Career Researcher grant ‘Corporate Complicity in Human Rights Violations’ $11,000
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2006 UNSW Early Career Researcher grant ‘The legal liabilities of multinational corporations regarding human rights’ $8,500
Modern slavery, business and human rights; corporate social responsibility; corporate ethics; international human rights law;
Nolan J; Boersma M, 2020, The real economic victims of corona virus are those we can’t see, https://theconversation.com/the-real-economic-victims-of-coronavirus-are-those-we-cant-see-133620
Nolan J, 2020, WORKER RIGHTS IN AUSTRALIA DURING COVID-19, sydney, https://2ser.com/human-and-labor-rights-for-all-workers-in-australia-during-covid-19-pandemic/
Nolan J, 2019, Australia not immune from people trafficking tragedies: Justine Nolan, https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/pm/australia-not-immune-from-people-trafficking-tragedies/11641290
Nolan J; Boersma M, 2019, The long and winding road to respecting workers' rights in global supply chains, https://www.equaltimes.org/the-long-and-winding-road-to#.XXrljOgzZdi
Nolan J; Berg L; Boersma M, 2019, Message to Coles, Woolworths: Act now to end modern slavery, https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2019/09/07/coles-woolworths-modern-slavery/
Nolan J; Boersma M, 2019, Interview with Myf Warhurst ABC Radio on modern slavery., https://www.abc.net.au/radio/sydney/programs/myf-warhurst/myf-warhurst/11451188
Nolan J; Boersma M, 2019, What does modern slavery mean for your business?, https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/politics/26379-modern-slavery-laws-what-do-they-mean-for-your-business
Nolan J; Boersma M, 2019, Radio National Life Matters 'Are you supporting modern slavery?', https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lifematters/are-you-supporting-slavery-without-knowing-it/11546692#
Nolan J; Boersma M, 2019, Blockchain can help break the chains of modern slavery, but it is not a complete solution, http://theconversation.com/blockchain-can-help-break-the-chains-of-modern-slavery-but-it-is-not-a-complete-solution-115358
Nolan J, 2019, Corporate risk analysis downplays slave labour in supply chains. Featured: Justine Nolan, Associate Professor and Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Law, University of New South Wales, https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/pm/corporate-risk-analysis-ignores-slave-labour-in-supply-chains/11310906
Nolan J, 2019, Woolworths shortchanging workers ABC 7.30, https://iview.abc.net.au/show/7-30/series/0/video/NC1901H172S00
Nolan J; McGaughey F, 2018, Modern Slavery Bill a step in the right direction – now businesses must comply, https://theconversation.com/modern-slavery-bill-a-step-in-the-right-direction-now-businesses-must-comply-99135
Nolan J, 2018, Focus - I found out I have 63 slaves working for me, https://www.abc.net.au/radio/perth/programs/focus/focus/9922414
Nolan J, 2018, Justine Nolan on Modern Slavery, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia-PFWVZgWY
Nolan J, 2014, Business as usual not an option, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-23/nolan-business-as-usual-is-not-an-option/5405338
Nolan J, 2012, Companies shouldn't be able to hand-pass footballs made by children, https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/companies-shouldnt-be-able-to-hand-pass-footballs-made-by-children-20120923-26ewb.html
News
Teaching Activity
Course taught include:
- International Human Rights Law and Advocacy (LAWS3182)
- International Human Rights (LAWS8181)
- Business and Human Rights (LAWS8189)
- Human Rights Law in Practice (New York) (LAWS3146)
- Law in the Global Context (LAWS2270)
- Law, Rights and Development (LAWS8192)
In 2018 I received the Vice Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence.