Professor Justine Nolan

MPP University of California, Berkeley

LLB(Hons) ANU

BSc ANU

 

Justine Nolan is a Professor in the Faculty of Law at UNSW Sydney.  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

Profile Picture
Books

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

Edited Books

Nolan J; Baumann Pauly D, (ed.), 2016, Business and Human Rights: From Principles to Practice, Routledge, UK

Journal articles

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

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; Boersma M, 2020, 'Can blockchain help resolve modern slavery in supply chains?', AIB Insights, https://aibinsights.scholasticahq.com/

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; 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; 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, 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; 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, '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

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

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

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

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, 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, 2005, 'With Power Comes Responsibiity: Human RIghts and Corporate Accountability', University of New South Wales Law Journal, vol. 28, pp. 581 - 613

Nolan J; Posner M, 2000, 'International Standards to promote Labor Rights', Columbia Business Law Review

Book Chapters

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; 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, 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; 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

Reports

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

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

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, 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

Other

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'

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

Nolan J, 2004, Human Rights, the Environment and Business

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)

  • 2018 CPA Australia, Global Research Perspectives Program:  'Regulating Transparency and Disclosures on Modern Slavery in Global Supply Chains' $61,000

  • 2014 UNSW  Labour Migration Recruitment Industry: A Human Rights Based Approach $6,000 (with Bassina Farbenblum)

  • 2009 UNSW Corporate Accountability for Human Rights and Codes of Conduct: evaluating the mechanisms of protection $7,000

  • 2007 UNSW Early Career Researcher grant ‘Corporate Complicity in Human Rights Violations’ $11,000

  • 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

UNSW

News

Opinion|30 Mar 2020
The real economic victims of coronavirus are those we can't see
Workers further down supply chains are being left destitute and exposed to exploitation.
Mentions
Professor Justine Nolan
Research|23 Sep 2019
New book reveals modern slavery is all around us
Addressing Modern Slavery examines how consumers, business and government can help eradicate one of the big challenges of our time. 
Mentions
Professor Justine Nolan
Achievement|12 Aug 2019
UNSW professor wins Academic of the Year at Australian Law Awards
Associate Professor Justine Nolan is the third UNSW academic in as many years to take home the prize recognising excellence and expertise in teaching
Mentions
Professor Justine Nolan, George Williams
Thought leadership|29 Mar 2019
UNSW conference will explore how business is stepping up on human rights
Industry leaders and global human rights activists will discuss technology, diversity, modern slavery and Indigenous rights at the Innovate Rights 2019 event.
Mentions
Louise Chappell, Megan Davis, Professor Justine Nolan
Research|24 Nov 2017
UNSW launches Allens hub for tech, law and innovation
The University of NSW has unveiled a major legal research centre backed by national law firm Allens and the state Law Society that will focus on innovation and technology within society and the legal profession.The centre, to be known as the Allens Hub for Technology, Law & Innovation, is supported financially by a five-year commitment from the Law Society of $250,000 a year as well as an undisclosed sum from Allens.
Mentions
Lyria Bennett Moses, George Williams, Professor Justine Nolan
09 Aug 2017
A global perspective
UNSW Law partners with several overseas institutions to offer students exciting opportunities to add international experience and legal knowledge to their law degrees. Last month more than 100 UNSW Law students participated in overseas electives in New York, Santiago and Shanghai.
Mentions
Lucas Lixinski, Professor Justine Nolan
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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.