The study From Local to Global: Building a Strategic Litigation Ecosystem to Address Modern Slavery in Supply Chains, conducted by The Remedy Project with the support of the Freedom Fund, aimed to enhance the role of local groups in corporate accountability legal actions, particularly in Southeast Asia. The study aimed to understand the existing legal landscape regarding modern slavery and the barriers faced by local NGOs and lawyers in pursuing transnational litigation. The research utilised a mixed-method qualitative approach, including a literature review and interviews with 36 key stakeholders from the selected jurisdictions and international actors.
The findings revealed that local lawyers and NGOs often lack the necessary skills, resources, and connections to effectively pursue corporate accountability legal actions. Many expressed a need for an improved understanding of supply chain relationships and legal mechanisms. Recommendations include building capacity among local actors to identify relevant fact patterns and legal avenues, establishing a network for collaboration between local and Global North NGOs, and ensuring that funding supports all stages of litigation, including pre-action investigations. Additionally, it is crucial to address security concerns for local actors involved in high-profile cases, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for pursuing justice in corporate accountability.
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