The Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 has officially launched, and it gives a really clear picture of what’s happening across one of the most active legal markets in the world. It doesn’t just show who’s ranked – it also reflects how practices are evolving in corporate, disputes, finance, regulation and fast-moving areas like tech and ESG.
For in-house teams, it’s a trusted way to check who to work with. For law firms, it’s a simple way to see where they stand – and where there might be room to grow.
So what’s different in this year’s guide?
WHAT YOU’LL FIND IN THE 2026 GUIDE
The 2026 edition gives a full view of Chambers’ research across the region, with:
- 3,993 department rankings across the region
- 7,173 individual lawyer rankings, recognising leaders, rising stars, and specialists
- 438 Up-and-Comers and Associates to Watch, highlighting emerging talent
- Insights drawn from months of one-to-one interviews with clients, referees and market sources
- Coverage of every major Asia-Pacific jurisdiction, from global financial centres to fast-developing regional hubs
In short: this is Chambers’ most detailed look yet at how the Asia-Pacific legal landscape is evolving — and which firms are seen as delivering standout work.
WHAT’S NEW IN THE 2026 RELEASE?
Chambers has also added a few new tables this year, which say a lot about how quickly the region is changing:
New ranking tables
- Australia – Media & Defamation: The Bar: A new sub-table that picks out barristers doing specialist work in media, reputation management and related disputes.
- Japan – Shipping: Fresh coverage for firms and lawyers focused on shipping finance and maritime disputes, recognising Japan’s role in this space.
- Indonesia – Startups & Emerging Companies: A new table reflecting just how busy Indonesia’s startup and tech scene has become, and the growing number of firms supporting it.
Expanded coverage
- Asia-Pacific Region – Gaming & Gambling: Now ranking departments, not just individual experts.
- Asia-Pacific – Arbitration: The Bar: Reflecting the region’s continued rise as a global arbitration hub.
KEY INSIGHTS AND MARKET THEMES
Chambers also shares some helpful reflections on what’s happening across the region. A few themes really stand out:
- A snapshot of key corporate and finance trends, including mid-market M&A activity, private equity momentum and evolving capital markets regulation.
- An overview of how recent regulatory change is reshaping Vietnam’s legal landscape.
If you’d like a wider view, Chambers also links to earlier analysis:
- A look at the key Corporate/M&A trends and deal developments across Asia.
- Insight into Japanese law firms expanding into Europe under the Economic Security Promotion Act.
- An update on the increasing assertiveness of Australia’s competition regulator.
- A review of how diversity, equity and inclusion are progressing across Asia-Pacific.
- Testimonials from the Chambers Asia-Pacific and Greater China Region Awards 2024 winners.
- Key diversity statistics and representation trends across the Asia-Pacific legal market.
- Core corporate and finance trends emerging from market research since 2023.
- An overview of major trends in the region’s energy and natural resources sector.
BEHIND THE RANKINGS: THE RESEARCH PROCESS
Chambers’ methodology remains consistent across regions: months of interviews, rigorous referee validation, and detailed analysis of work highlights. For those unfamiliar with the process, Chambers openly shares:
- Methodology and research criteria
- Practice area definitions
- Submission guidelines including referee limits (notably: 30 referees per practice area for Asia-Pacific)
- Research schedules and deadlines
These resources are especially useful for helping partners understand how rankings are determined, and what differentiates strong submissions.
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE 2027 CYCLE
With submissions for the Chambers Asia-Pacific 2027 guide now open, this year’s launch gives some useful pointers for the next round:
- Specialisation is becoming more important: The new tables highlight focused expertise, especially in highly regulated or fast-moving areas.
- Local insight plus regional reach really shows: The strongest rankings tend to come from teams that combine on-the-ground knowledge with joined-up regional capability.
- Referees need a bit more thought: With a 30-referee limit, it’s worth being selective and choosing people who can speak to recent, meaningful matters.
- Work highlights work best when they’re focused: Researchers want a clear story: what you did, why it mattered, and what changed as a result.
The first submission deadline is in January 2026, and research runs from February to August, so getting organised early – on matters, referees and your overall narrative – will make a real difference.
where ele can help
If this year’s Asia-Pacific guide has raised new questions about your rankings, categories or messaging, we’re happy to talk it through! Whether you want a quick review of your draft submission or help choosing and managing referees, our directories team is on hand.
Get in touch to discuss what the 2026 guide means for you.
