GWCC Participated in an IACC organised Webinar on “The Rise of Global Parliamentary Hearings/Investigations” and following are the key insights from the webinar that hold significance for organisations:
- Public hearings and inquiries in the UK and US are increasingly used as high-visibility tools to scrutinise corporations. Unlike courts or Indian parliamentary processes, these hearings are public, adversarial, media-driven, and offer limited procedural protection to witnesses. Their frequency and scope have risen sharply, with a notable increase in parliamentary and congressional activity since 2023.
- These forums now pose serious legal and reputational risks. Statements made in one hearing can trigger cross-border regulatory interest, litigation, and public backlash. Evidence given in hearings is increasingly reused in civil and criminal proceedings. Indian companies are already exposed, including in sectors such as steel and pharmaceuticals.
- Legislators are focusing on labour and employment rights, global supply chains, energy, building safety, online safety, social media, and AI. Scrutiny often extends beyond a company’s own operations to its suppliers and partners worldwide.
- India’s regulatory model is traditionally private and regulator-led, which has advantages domestically but leaves many Indian leaders underprepared for Western-style public scrutiny. The panel agreed this is not an “either-or” choice.
Key takeaways for Indian Geospatial and Space Industries:
- India can retain its model, but Indian companies operating globally must adapt to the norms of public hearings abroad.
- Public hearings are now a permanent global business risk. Companies must proactively prepare—monitor issues likely to attract scrutiny, understand political and media dynamics.
- Treat public hearings as a distinct risk alongside regulatory and litigation exposure.
