Grand Launch of the British Indonesian Lawyers Association (BILA)
This month BILA was launched with an event in Jakarta which included a public lecture delivered by Professor Ioannis Kokkoris and attended by many CCLS Alumni and legal professionals.
CCLS Alumna Bunga Narendra (Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law LLM, 2023) assisted with organising this launch. This is what Bunga said about the event: “On 24 January 2025, I had the privilege of not only attending but also supporting the grand launch of the British Indonesian Lawyers Association (BILA) alongside its founders and board members. The event, held at GoWork Menara Rajawali in Mega Kuningan, Jakarta, was a significant milestone in strengthening legal collaboration between Indonesia and the UK.
The grand launch event featured insightful speeches from key legal figures, including Harun Reksodiputro (Consultative Board Member of the British Chamber of Commerce Indonesia; Founding Partner of Ginting & Reksodiputro in association with A&O Shearman), Professor Otto Hasibuan (Chair of the Indonesian Advocates Association; Deputy Coordinating Minister of Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrective Institutions), and Richard Atkinson (President of the Law Society of England and Wales). Additionally, Professor Ioannis Kokkoris (Director of CCLS QMUL) delivered a public lecture on the critical topic of Comparative Studies on Foreign Subsidies, Foreign Direct Investment, and Merger Control Regulations, focusing on the balance between national protection and foreign investment in global law. A panel discussion followed, titled “Sharing Experience on Indonesian x English Law Interaction in Practice” featuring Ira A. Eddymurthy (founding partner of SSEK), David Holme (Senior Foreign Legal Advisor with Widyawan & Partners in association with Linklaters), Dyah Ayu Paramita (BILA Founder and CCLS Alumna in Comparative and International Dispute Resolution LLM, 2015)), and Nikki Krisadtyo (BILA founder) as the moderator. The event was attended by prominent figures from the legal sector, as well as individuals interested in learning more about BILA’s mission and objectives. I was honoured to support the preparation and serve as the Master of Ceremony for the event, making it an even more memorable experience.
About BILA
BILA is a non-profit organization committed to fostering partnerships between Indonesian advocates and British solicitors. It aims to promote legal innovation, knowledge exchange, and professional development through various initiatives such as public discussions, research collaborations, and networking events. The association provides a platform for legal professionals to share expertise and build cross-border relationships that benefit both legal communities.
BILA was founded by a group of dual-qualified legal professionals who share a vision for creating a platform that not only connects lawyers but also promotes innovation in the legal field. Dyah Ayu Paramita, a dual-qualified commercial disputes lawyer with extensive experience in antitrust and competition law and international trade remedies, Nikki Krisadtyo, a dual-qualified disputes lawyer and adjunct lecturer specializing in arbitration and comparative English law, and Arvin Raharja, a dual-qualified corporate lawyer with expertise in international business law, are the founders and also board members who have brought this vision to life.
BILA is supported by a group of distinguished advisors, including Widjojo Budiarto (Budiarto Law Partnership), a dual-qualified lawyer specializing in corporate and finance law, with a Postgraduate Diploma in Law (Common Professional Examination) from Bournemouth University and an MSc in Finance from SOAS, University of London; Ira Eddymurthy (SSEK), an experienced Indonesian advocate with over 30 years of practice, having earned her LLM from King's College London in International Corporate and Commercial Law; Bagus SD Nur Buwono (Bagus Enrico & Partners), a Chevening scholar and Indonesian advocate, holding an LLM in International Business Law from the University of Manchester; and Marius Toime (K&L Gates), a legal practitioner qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales and Singapore, as well as a Registered Foreign Lawyer in Indonesia, specializing in projects, financing, and restructuring, particularly in the energy and renewables sector.
The Launch Event & the Power of the CCLS Network
The launch event was a resounding success, also thanks to the support from the CCLS QMUL network, including the university, CCLS faculty, Professor Ioannis Kokkoris, CCLS Alumni Indonesia Chapter, and many other CCLS alumni. The event provided an excellent opportunity to meet industry leaders, broadening my horizons and network. These connections will undoubtedly support my career in the future.
Through Dyah, I had the privilege of working closely with Nikki and Arvin, and I have gained invaluable insights from them - not just in law, but also in leadership and international collaboration. I met Dyah at a CCLS alumni dinner and later reconnected with her at the Chevening Alumni Night. She introduced me to BILA, and after learning more about its mission, I was inspired to support it, as its vision aligns with my own. Since joining, I have contributed to BILA’s growth by introducing Bagus Nur Buwono to BILA’s founders. He is now one of BILA’s advisors. I am also proud to be part of BILA’s Executive Committee.
Career Growth & Future Opportunities
I believe that being part of BILA will open doors to valuable opportunities, allowing me to engage in insightful discussions, connect with key figures in the industry, and expand my network within both Indonesian and UK legal communities. These experiences will be instrumental in supporting my career growth as a lawyer and broadening my professional horizons.”
Christine Zhou CCLS Head of Business Development and Programme Management (International) who was also at the event added: "Attending the recent lawyers' event in Indonesia was an incredibly rewarding experience. It was a true pleasure to reconnect with our alumni, whose passion and dedication continue to inspire. Seeing our alumni embracing the opportunity to exchange ideas and celebrate their shared journey reminded me of the lasting bonds we’ve built within this community. I’m grateful for the moments we shared and look forward to the continued growth of our network and more events in the future.”
Professor Ioannis Kokkoris concluded: “It was a great pleasure to give a public lecture at the launch event of the British Indonesian Lawyers Association. We discussed issues of foreign direct investment control in EU, UK, US and China and its impact not only in Indonesia and the Asean region but also on the global investment flows. I’m keen on delivering similar events with other legal organisations across the world and provide networking opportunities for our alumni community.”