Plays an important role in the loading of the cohesin complex on to DNA. Forms a heterodimeric complex (also known as cohesin loading complex) with MAU2/SCC4 which mediates the loading of the cohesin complex onto chromatin (PubMed:22628566, PubMed:28914604). Plays a role in cohesin loading at sites of DNA damage. Its recruitment to double- strand breaks (DSBs) sites occurs in a CBX3-, RNF8- and RNF168- dependent manner whereas its recruitment to UV irradiation-induced DNA damage sites occurs in a ATM-, ATR-, RNF8- and RNF168-dependent manner (PubMed:28167679). Along with ZNF609, promotes cortical neuron migration during brain development by regulating the transcription of crucial genes in this process. Preferentially binds promoters containing paused RNA polymerase II. Up-regulates the expression of SEMA3A, NRP1, PLXND1 and GABBR2 genes, among others (By similarity). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:Q6KCD5, ECO:0000269|PubMed:22628566, ECO:0000269|PubMed:28167679, ECO:0000269|PubMed:28914604}. This is the function of NIPBL (NIPBL cohesin loading factor, ENSG00000164190).