9. Corporate responsibility - The environment

Intense lobbying affected the vote.

to have an influence on or cause a change in

Rather than the standard 2 year imprisonment, the judge decided to impose an alternative sentence.

existing or functioning outside the established system

The stated reason for the deforestation is that the trees are capital assets that the companies need to liquidate to raise cash.

(FINANCE, ECONOMICS) any fixed asset (eg property or machinery) used by a business to make money or used to produce goods or services (in contrast to assets used for personal enjoyment or consumption)

The company offers its employees a pension plan, free health insurance, and other benefits.

a payment or gift made by an employer, the state or an insurance company etc

Lawyers are subject to a code of professional conduct.

a collection of laws, rules, or regulations

Jersey oyster farmers are considering seeking compensation, claiming a deterioration in seawater quality has affected shellfish.

money or some other form of payment given to a person to make up for a loss or an injury

Officials say there is no conflict of interest.

an incompatibulity (=where two things cannot exist together) between two opposing opinions, principles, ideas, interests or laws etc

The stress has had a disastrous effect on my client's marriage.

a change or changed state occurring as a direct result of action by somebody or something else; success in bringing about a change in somebody or something, or the ability to achieve this

Migrant workers in Cornwall have been exploited by gangmasters, an investigation finds.

to benefit unfairly from someone, especially by getting them to do something for you or to work for you with little in return (eg by giving them low pay, bad working conditions and/or too much work etc)

Numerous human rights investigations have accused the country of breaking the laws of war.

the idea that there are basic rights and freedoms that all humans should be guaranteed because of the fact that they are human, including right to equality, equal opportunity in an environment free of discrimination and equality before the law etc

The employees were informed that the new policy on data protection and retention would be implemented starting on Monday.

to put an aim, resolution or order etc into effect through a definite plan

The doctrine of indirect effect is of vital importance to the enforcement of EC rights against private persons.

a principle of EU law under which national courts must interpret (as far as possible) national legislation in accordance with the aims of the directive under which the national legislation was introduced

The President's late arrival was a breach of royal protocol.

the official system of rules concerned with behaviour during formal occasions such as affairs of state and diplomatic events

Consent may be required from the appropriate regulatory authority to undertake an activity that involves emissions to air.

a regulatory authority has the official power to monitor and control a particular activity

The company sustained damages in excess of its insurance coverage.

to experience or to be subjected to something unpleasant, especially damage, a loss or an injury