Lawyers who are ignorant of corporate social responsibility (CSR) issues could risk liability for negligence, the organisation representing the legal professional bodies of Europe warned this week.

In its latest CSR guidelines, the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) said CSR should be considered as an area where negligence could well result in substantial losses, and as specialist advisers to corporations, responsibility for CSR should rest with lawyers.


It added that professional privilege puts lawyers in the best position to encourage companies to conduct CSR audits without fear that detrimental information uncovered by the audit could be used against them by prosecuting authorities.


The guidelines advise lawyers to participate in the formulation and implementation of CSR policies, and encourages them to make CSR assessments of affiliates and branches.


CCBE president Bernard Vatier said: 'The role of lawyers in the implementation of principles of CSR is ever-increasing. These updated guidelines will help lawyers assist companies and directors in understanding the importance of CSR in an economy based on sustainable development.'