Charles Russell Speechlys Podcast Channel

Corporate human rights due diligence – episode 3 – understanding and mitigating risk

Human rights due diligence is no longer a compliance exercise — it is a strategic imperative. As regulatory frameworks tighten and scrutiny intensifies, businesses that truly understand their supply chains, engage meaningfully with rights holders and prioritise their most salient risks will not only mitigate legal and reputational exposure, but strengthen resilience, protect continuity and build long-term value.

In the third episode of this miniseries – and as part of the Retail Collection series – Kerry Stares, Partner and Director for Responsible Business at Charles Russell Speechlys, sat down with Duncan Warner, Senior Responsible Sourcing & Human Rights Manager for ASDA, to discuss these issues in more depth on developing a more robust framework for human rights due diligence.

Property Patter: the latest on tenant CVAs and Restructuring Plans

Emma Humphreys is joined by Dan Moore of our Corporate Insolvency & Restructuring Team to talk about how CVAs and Restructuring Plans operate, the current trends in their use and what landlords can do if their tenant proposes one.

Disputes Over Donuts: Spotlight on the ICC Arbitration Rules 2026

Welcome to Disputes Over Donuts, our podcast series where we explore the diverse world of dispute resolution with leading experts across various fields. Each episode features different hosts and guests, bringing unique perspectives to the evolving landscape of disputes.
 
In this episode, hosted by Thomas R. Snider, Partner and Head of International Arbitration, and joined by fellow partners Luca Beffa (Geneva) and Simon Le Wita (Paris), we turn the spotlight on the new ICC Arbitration Rules 2026, which came into effect on 1 June 2026.
 
We are delighted to be joined by a very special guest, Claudia Salomon, President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, who has been at the helm of the ICC Court during the development of these landmark revisions. Claudia walks us through the key changes introduced by the 2026 Rules, including the removal of mandatory Terms of Reference, enhanced disclosure requirements, revised time limits for final awards, and the introduction of the new highly expedited arbitration procedure.
 
Luca and Simon also offer their perspectives as counsel and arbitrators on the practical impact of these changes. Join us for a fascinating conversation about the most significant update to the ICC Rules in five years and what it means for the future of international arbitration.

Retail Collection: Business and Social Enterprise

Fat Macy’s is reshaping what social mobility looks like in London — supporting people in temporary accommodation to rebuild confidence, gain real-world experience and move towards lasting employment and stable housing. By combining structured training with hands-on hospitality placements and tailored, wraparound support, it tackles the systemic barriers that keep people trapped between benefits and work, turning potential into long-term opportunity. Additionally, it also runs as a successful business as an extension of its charitable arm which helps drive its operations further. 

In this episode of the Retail Collection, Iwan Thomas, a Senior Associate in the Corporate team, sat down with Tori Western, Operations and Development Manager at Fat Macy’s, to learn more about this purpose led business, its uniqueness as a concept, and insights into its social enterprise and business elements. The Charles Russell Speechlys Foundation has supported Fat Macy’s for over 5 years, through grant funding as one of our London charity partners. 

Extra Time: Evolution of Technology in Sport

Technology is reshaping many dimensions of sport — from the way athletes train, recover and perform, team strategy and tactics, to how fans bond with their team. The real transformation lies in the convergence of data and human expertise: turning vast streams of data and information into actionable insight as a tool to improving the on field success of a sporting organisation. As investment accelerates and AI moves from experimentation to execution, those who harness technology responsibly — while navigating its legal, ethical and governance challenges — will be well placed to integrate the use of data into their sporting strategy. 

Anna Sowerby, Associate in the Commercial team at Charles Russell Speechlys, sat down with Andrew Kitchen, deputy General Counsel of Hudl, to discuss the evolution of technology’s involvement in sport and the ever increasing impact it is having, particularly around performance of athletes and teams.

Disputes Over Donuts: Dawn Raids – Preparation, Response and What to Expect

Welcome to Disputes Over Donuts, our podcast series where we explore the diverse world of dispute resolution with leading experts across various fields. Each episode features different hosts and guests, bringing unique perspectives to the evolving landscape of disputes.
 
This episode provides a clear, practical guide to dawn raids – what they are, which authorities can carry them out, and how organisations can prepare for and manage them effectively. Hosted by Jonathan Huth, Partner (Dubai), the episode features insights from Pierre Bydovsky, Partner (Geneva), and Richard Burger, Partner (London), alongside guest speaker Alexandra Will, Financial Crime and Regulatory Partner at Grant Thornton.
 
The discussion covers the nature and scope of dawn raids, preparation and readiness strategies, how to handle the critical first moments when investigators arrive, document requests and what companies can and cannot do during a raid, and the role of senior management and boards during investigations. The episode also examines common pitfalls when organisations face surprise regulatory visits, the consequences of failing to cooperate, and practical steps to take once a raid concludes. The episode closes with key practical advice for organisations navigating this area.

Corporate human rights due diligence – episode 2: practical insights from the experts

As human rights and supply chain regulation hardens and legislative scrutiny intensifies, businesses must move fast—embedding risk based due diligence deep into their operations and supply chains. With new laws reshaping expectations across jurisdictions, the challenge is clear: understand the rules, prioritise the real risks, and build supply chains that are resilient, responsible, and ready for what’s next.

In this new mini-series on supply chain due diligence, Kerry Stares, Partner and Director of Responsible Business at Charles Russell Speechlys sits down with guests to discuss these issues in greater depth. In this episode, Kerry is joined by Peter Nestor, Global Head of Human Rights at Novartis to dive deeper into human rights risk based due diligence, prioritising human rights considerations within an organisation, and the ways in which businesses can adapt to these developments.  

Social risks in the supply chain – from due diligence to resilience: Corporate human rights due diligence – a snapshot of the law in EU/UK

As human rights and supply chain regulation hardens and legislative scrutiny intensifies, businesses must move fast—embedding risk based due diligence deep into their operations and supply chains. With new laws reshaping expectations across jurisdictions, the challenge is clear: understand the rules, prioritise the real risks, and build supply chains that are resilient, responsible, and ready for what’s next.

In this new mini-series on supply chain due diligence, Kerry Stares, Partner and Director of Responsible Business at Charles Russell Speechlys sits down with guests to discuss these issues in greater depth. In this episode, Kerry is joined by Christina Rahbek CRA, Partner at Gorrissen Federspiel in Denmark, and Ingo Theusinger, Partner at Noerr in Germany, to discuss the cross-jurisdictional impact of the new laws. 

Property Patter: how to prepare for Martyn’s Law

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 will fundamentally impact the way certain commercial properties are managed – both by owners/landlords and the businesses occupying them. Ben Butterworth and Rory Partridge join Emma Humphreys to provide valuable insights and practical advice on how to navigate and comply with this new law. It's an essential listen for any commercial property owner or business who wants to stay ahead of the curve and ensure their premises are ready for the changes – to be both safe and compliant.

Disputes Over Donuts: A Conversation with Umar Azmeh, Registrar of the QICDRC

Welcome to Disputes Over Donuts, our podcast series where we explore the diverse world of dispute resolution with leading experts across various fields. Each episode features different hosts and guests, bringing unique perspectives to the evolving landscape of disputes.

In this episode of Disputes Over Donuts, our three hosts Patrick Gearon, Partner and Head of Middle East, Paula Boast (Partner and Head of Construction, Engineering & Projects, Middle East), and Christopher O’Brien, Senior Associate, are joined by Umar Azmeh, Registrar of the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre. 

Umar discusses what attracted him to the role of Registrar, explains what sets the QICDRC apart, its emphasis on thought leadership, and his vision for its future.