Anastasia Berger is the director of group investigations at German multinational industrial services group Bilfinger. To mark 2026 World Day for International Justice, she spoke to Leaders League about corporate accountability, the current political climate and the pivotal part internationally operating businesses play in promoting the rule of law.
Leaders League: In an increasingly fragmented geopolitical environment, how do you define the role of international justice today, and what do you see as its most significant challenges?
Anastasia Berger:In today’s increasingly fragmented geopolitical environment, the greatest challenge for international justice is preserving its impartiality. Justice can only maintain its legitimacy if the law is applied consistently and equally to all parties, regardless of their nationality, political influence or any other distinguishing characteristic.
How have recent geopolitical tensions changed the way companies in the DACH region assess legal and compliance risks?
Recent geopolitical tensions have significantly increased companies’ focus on sanctions and export controls, particularly in industries with international supply chains. Organizations that have already experienced regulatory scrutiny or enforcement actions tend to have a much more structured and mature approach to assessing these risks. Others are still developing their risk assessment frameworks, and their priorities may at times be influenced by regulatory developments or high-profile media coverage rather than by a comprehensive, risk-based assessment.
What responsibility do internationally operating businesses have to promote respect for human rights and the rule of law?
Internationally operating businesses have a social responsibility to lead by example. Only if the leading global companies operate ethically and uphold human rights and the rule of law can these principles become the standard for the wider business community. For better or worse, this is a leadership role that companies cannot escape.
As for the relationship between international criminal law and corporate accountability, I do not currently see a significant evolution. Corporate accountability continues to be shaped primarily by national legislation and regulatory enforcement.
Which developments in sanctions, anti-corruption enforcement, human rights due diligence and ESG are currently having the greatest impact on your clients?
The greatest impact currently comes from sanctions and export controls, as they can directly affect business models, supply chains and market access. Anti-corruption risks remain highly relevant, particularly in high-risk jurisdictions and in dealings with third parties. Human rights due diligence and ESG are also becoming more operational: they are no longer only reporting topics, but increasingly require concrete risk assessments, documentation and remediation measures.
My practical advice to general counsel would be to avoid treating these areas as separate entities. Companies need an integrated risk-based approach, clear governance, reliable third-party due diligence and strong documentation. Most importantly, legal and compliance teams should be involved early in business decisions, not only when a problem has already materialized.
Looking ahead over the next five years, what trends do you expect will shape the international justice landscape?
Over the next five years, I expect geopolitical tensions and the growing use of AI to become even greater challenges, alongside the ongoing restructuring of businesses, particularly in Europe and the United States. These developments will create new legal, compliance, and governance challenges that require companies to become more agile and resilient.
I do not expect international justice to evolve significantly without sustained political support. On the contrary, current geopolitical developments are more likely to weaken large-scale international initiatives and make international cooperation more difficult. Nevertheless, international justice remains an essential benchmark, reminding us that the rule of law and accountability should prevail over political interests.
