Business Is Increasingly Cross-Border, Making Legal Risks More Complex
Jakarta (ANTARA) – Business complexity is no longer confined by national borders. Geopolitical shifts, global trade patterns, supply chains, the energy transition, developments in artificial intelligence and regulatory changes are all unfolding simultaneously and influencing one another. For companies, this means the role of in-house counsel is changing: rather than simply ensuring compliance, they must help businesses navigate uncertainty.
These issues were among the main topics at the Indonesian In-House Counsel Summit & Awards (IHCSA) 2026, held by Hukumonline and the Indonesian Corporate Counsel Association (ICCA) on 8–9 October 2026 at The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali. Under the theme “Unlocking Growth in the Age of Complexity 2027”, the forum brought together in-house counsel, general counsel, legal professionals, business leaders, law firms, regulators and corporate counsel associations from Indonesia and the Asia-Pacific region.
The participation of leaders and corporate counsel communities from several countries made IHCSA 2026 more than a national forum. The collaboration between Hukumonline and ICCA also provided a platform for legal professionals in the Asia-Pacific region to share experience, ideas and best practices.
ICCA President and Asia Pacific Corporate Counsel Alliance (APCCA) Secretary-General Seradesy Sumardi said the complexity facing businesses today extends far beyond an increase in the number of regulations.
“Complexity means there are more interests we have to bring together,” Seradesy said.
A single business decision, she said, may involve domestic and foreign laws, data protection, technology, intellectual property, supply chains, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards, employment, competition and reputational risks. As businesses cross borders, legal risks also move beyond national boundaries.
In-house counsel therefore need a broader perspective. “It is no longer enough just to understand what can and cannot be done,” Seradesy said.
She stressed that legal teams must understand the business rationale behind decisions, find ways to implement them safely and ensure that governance principles are upheld.
This shift is also changing the position of legal functions within companies. Hukumonline Chief Executive Officer Arkka Dhiratara said in-house counsel can no longer serve merely as gatekeepers for compliance. They need to become strategic partners who help organisations assess risks and make more measured business decisions.
“The biggest transformation in the legal function is taking place: from legal as a gatekeeper to legal as a strategic partner,” Arkka said.
This view reflects the growing expectation that corporate legal professionals understand business more comprehensively. Amid uncertainty, legal teams are expected to help companies identify room to manoeuvre, rather than simply point out limits.
The changing landscape was also reflected in the Indonesian In-House Counsel Awards (IHCA) 2026, held as part of IHCSA 2026. The awards recognise innovation, professionalism and dedication among corporate legal teams and leaders who contribute to their organisations’ progress and business sustainability.
This year, Hukumonline refined the IHCA methodology around three principles: objectivity, integrity and excellence. The assessment uses primary data from a survey of Hukumonline’s corporate clients and covers three main areas: Legal Team Innovation, Individual Leadership and Preventive Legal Initiatives.
IHCA 2026 jury member Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas said this approach was important because the success of a legal function often goes unnoticed. “The best outcome of the work is often something that never happens. No dispute, no violation, no loss,” Erry said.
Hukumonline Chief Media & Engagement Officer Amrie Hakim said rising participation in the awards reflected the expanding role of in-house counsel.
“This shows that the role of in-house counsel is becoming broader and more strategic,” Amrie said. In-house counsel are not only responsible for compliance or providing legal advice; they are increasingly involved in business decisions, risk management and determining companies’ strategic direction.
This year, Hukumonline introduced a new category, Indonesia’s Best Legal Prevention Program. It recognises legal teams’ efforts to anticipate, manage and mitigate risks before they develop into business problems.
Seradesy added that forums such as IHCSA are needed not only to discuss challenges but also to strengthen professional networks across the region. She hopes collaboration among ICCA, APCCA, Hukumonline and corporate counsel communities will bridge the exchange of knowledge, ideas and best practices across borders.
In an increasingly complex business world, law should not be viewed solely as a constraint on growth. It should also provide a foundation for growth underpinned by certainty, good governance and resilience.
“Complexity should not be the reason we stop moving. It should be the reason we become better navigators,” Seradesy said.