Asia Business Law Journal – July/August 2026

We’re 10 years old!

Looking back at a decade of ABLJ

They say time passes in the blink of an eye, and the past 10 years have surely felt that way. In the decade that has gone, Asia Business Law Journal has grown from inception into a leading media publication, widely read and respected throughout the legal community.

As ABLJ celebrates this special milestone, it is important to look back and examine the things that have shaped the past decade and transformed the legal landscape in often profound ways.

Our Cover story, Biggest trends, takes a deep dive into which advances have reshaped the legal sector. Key areas of focus include technology, capital markets, changes in government and the impact of covid-19. These forces have driven change in various ways, from new regulations to realignments in the corridors of power across jurisdictions.

Legal experts across the Asia-Pacific reflect on the changes of the past decade and how they have influenced the legal sector as we know it today. Some brave lawyers also share their predictions for the next decade.

Our Intelligence report revisits some of the most noteworthy deals we have covered in the past decade, stretching back to our first issue in 2016. Naturally, we highlight the usual billion-dollar acquisitions and landmark IPOs, but we have included some intriguing deals that stand out for their sheer uniqueness; a trademark for rose-scented car tyres and a dispute involving fake gold offer a taste of what to expect.

Our Asia specific report, Code green, examines China’s new environmental code, which has replaced standalone statutes that stood for decades. With the code ushering in major changes, companies are racing to adhere to the new regulations, while in-house counsel must navigate a complex compliance landscape where a single misstep could result in hefty fines and even criminal convictions.

Also marking our 10th anniversary, we present a special edition of In-house agenda, where our core readership of partner in-house counsel associations from across the Asia-Pacific region reflect on the development of their communities over the years, examining how the role of corporate counsel continues to evolve. In addition, many association leaders share thoughts about their longstanding partnerships with ABLJ.

We are also delighted to present our guide on Doing business in Korea, which offers legal intelligence and advice across a range of practice areas, including tax, data privacy and maritime dispute resolution.

This issue also features five Practice guides. The first examines the technology, media and telecoms landscape in India, the Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia and Bangladesh. Our employment guide reviews the latest developments in Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines, while an arbitration guide covers several jurisdictions, including Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan and the Philippines. Finally, the patent guide offers an in-depth look at what is happening in Indonesia, China, Japan and the Philippines.

Our Head to head series provides the latest insights on stablecoins from Hong Kong and the Philippines.

Our Expert briefing articles include an in-depth look at AI patents in the Philippines. Experts examine the jurisdiction’s new guidelines, which clarify the rules on inventorship, patentability and disclosure for AI-assisted inventions.

The second briefing turns to Hong Kong, exploring listing reforms designed to broaden market access and strengthen the jurisdiction’s position as a more flexible and competitive destination for global issuers.

This issue also unveils the Indonesia Law Firm Awards 2026, our prestigious annual recognition of the jurisdiction’s most outstanding legal talents. These awards celebrate excellence, innovation and leadership within Indonesia’s legal industry.

Finally, we are proud to present the annual Philippines A-List, highlighting the top lawyers plus 49 legal icons in the jurisdiction. This list is selected by the independent research team of ABLJ and is based on nominations and endorsements from domestic and international clients, as well as peers worldwide.

In closing, Asia Business Law Journal’s 10th anniversary is a testament to how far the journal has come in such a short time. None of this success would have been possible without the steadfast support of our loyal contributors and readers. We thank you for your support and promise more quality coverage in the years to come.