The General Counsel Barometer 2026
From complexity to control
Download CSC’s report, based on independent research with 350 general counsels (GCs) and senior in-house legal professionals across Europe, the U.K., North America, and Asia Pacific. Discover insights on global expansion, compliance, artificial intelligence (AI), and operating models.
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GCs deal with increasing complexity in managing and keeping global entities compliant. Expanding operations, evolving regulation, and growing demands on legal teams make it harder to maintain visibility and control.
At the same time, many organizations now use AI in legal processes, such as entity data management, compliance tracking, and filings. While this technology helps improve efficiency, it also brings new challenges around integration, data consistency, and oversight.
Based on insights from 350 GCs and senior legal professionals worldwide, CSC’s General Counsel Barometer 2026 examines how in-house legal teams are responding. The report explores where gaps in confidence remain, and how organizations strengthen data, processes, and operating models to maintain control in an increasingly complex environment.
What you’ll discover
Global expansion increases complexity for legal operations
As organizations expand their international presence, legal teams manage more jurisdictions, increased regulatory requirements, and greater operational demands.
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51% expanded into North America in 2025, with 21% entering for the first time
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41% expanded their footprint in Asia Pacific
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44% aren’t confident in meeting jurisdiction-specific data security requirements
AI trends in legal processes
AI supports entity management and compliance processes, while introducing new risks around integration, governance, and data consistency.
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35% use AI to automate entity data maintenance, compliance tracking, and filings
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26% are piloting AI tools for entity management
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41% identify AI as the greatest risk to legal operations in 2026
Compliance and operating models are under strain
Maintaining compliance across global entities remains a challenge, driving changes in how legal teams are structured and supported.
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Only 7% say their global entities are fully compliant with all relevant regulations
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53% estimate compliance levels at between 50% and 75%
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83% use multiple corporate service providers, due to jurisdictional complexity