Forced labour and human trafficking have evolved into numerous and often, subtle forms of abuse and exploitation, posing a challenge for law enforcement. This casebook covers a range of national experience, from judicial decisions on forced and bonded labour in developing countries, to more recent decisions on forced labour and trafficking in industrialized countries. In particular, it seeks to illustrate how national court decisions have taken into account the provisions of the ILO's own Conventions on forced labour, and how this may provide guidance for future court decisions. By increasing familiarization with, and awareness of jurisprudence on forced labour, judicial practitioners would be able to cultivate a cross-fertilization of experience and dialogue, both within and between domestic and international courts.

This casebook is a part of the ILO's Special Action Programme to Combat Forced Labour (SAP-FL), which has conducted research and surveys on modern forced labour and strengthened stakeholder capacity in the fight against it, falling in line with the organization's broader efforts to address this issue through promotional means and technical cooperation. It is aimed at judges, prosecutors and other legal practitioners to provide guidance in adjudicating cases, drafting legislation, investigating allegations and bringing charges in courts or labour tribunals.