Law, leadership and judgement in a volatile age
LONDON, November 12th 2026 – Economist Enterprise will bring together more than 600 general counsel, chief legal officers and senior in-house legal leaders at the 23rd annual General Counsel Summit UK to examine how legal leadership is evolving amid technological disruption, geopolitical uncertainty and growing pressure on business decision-making.
Under the theme “Law, leadership and judgement in a volatile age”, the summit will explore how legal leaders are navigating AI adoption, cyber risk, regulatory change, employment law reform and geopolitical volatility while playing an increasingly influential role in shaping boardroom strategy.
As businesses face faster decisions, greater scrutiny and more complex risk environments, general counsel are being asked to provide commercial judgement alongside legal expertise. The summit will examine how the GC role is changing, what new risks are emerging and how legal teams can help organisations remain resilient and competitive.
Held under Chatham House Rule, the General Counsel Summit UK provides a trusted forum for candid discussion among senior legal leaders from FTSE 100 companies, global organisations and fast-growing businesses. Attendees will gain practical insight into the challenges reshaping legal leadership while building valuable connections with peers across industries.
The programme will focus on six core themes:
● Geopolitics, volatility and business risk
● AI, accountability and legal transformation
● Regulation, enforcement and market reform
● Operational resilience and legal exposure
● Talent, succession and responsibility
● Legal economics and delivery
Key discussions will address some of the most pressing questions facing legal departments today, including how to distinguish genuine AI value from costly distraction, balance commercial urgency with legal prudence, prepare for employment law reform and develop the next generation of legal leaders.
The summit will also feature a briefing from experts at the Economist Intelligence Unit examining the economic, geopolitical and business developments likely to shape 2027, including the top global risks organisations should be preparing for now.
Additional speakers include senior legal executives from leading FTSE 100, Fortune 500 and global organisations, alongside legal innovators, policymakers and industry experts. Sessions will be moderated by journalists and editors from The Economist, ensuring independent, rigorous and forward-looking discussion.
Now in its 23rd year, the General Counsel Summit UK has become one of Europe’s most established gatherings of senior legal leaders, bringing together decision-makers to discuss the issues shaping the future of business, governance and risk.
Event details
23rd Annual General Counsel Summit UK
Law, leadership and judgement in a volatile age
November 12th 2026 | London
Register to join more than 600 legal leaders for a closed-door, Chatham House exchange examining the future of legal leadership.
About Economist Enterprise
Economist Enterprise helps organisations navigate global complexity, make confident strategic decisions and engage credibly on the issues shaping markets, policy and business performance.
Media enquiries
Hannah Flynn
Marketing Lead, The Economist
hannahflynn@economist.com
