Law schools race to add AI into the curriculum as Harvey expands

Harvey is rolling out its law school programme in the UK, partnering with Oxford's Faculty of Law, King’s College London, BPP and the University of Law.

The expansion follows the legal AI frontrunner's rapid uptake in the US, where more than 25 law schools now use the platform, including Stanford and the University of Chicago, and comes as UK legal education starts to rethink how it prepares students for practice.

AI disrupts education

Students and lecturers will get full access to Harvey’s platform, along with help embedding it into classroom exercises, workshops and research projects. The aim is to make AI something students actually use during their degree, not just something they hear about during career talks.

Harvey’s expansion lines up neatly with what firms say they want. For years, UK legal education has followed a familiar arc: learn the core theory at university, pick up a sliver of practical experience at law school, then discover how the job actually works when you start your training contract.

The sector’s race to get ahead in AI is starting to reorder that approach. Some firms are pushing the issue themselves. Freshfields recently started sending future trainees to a Law and Technology master’s at KCL, covering tuition and living costs - a strong signal that firms now see AI education as a worthy investment.

'World-first' legal AI literacy programme

But the biggest sign yet that the shift is accelerating comes from King’s College London. In a related announcement, the Dickson Poon School of Law has unveiled what it calls the world’s first AI Literacy Programme, launching in January next year.

The programme gives every law student and staff member free access to four major legal AI tools - Harvey, Luminance, Legora and Lucio - backed by a customised 12-week online course and weekly practitioner workshops. The initiative, led by executive dean professor Dan Hunter, positions King’s at the forefront of legal education and shows UK institutions moving far faster than many expected.

For the AI companies involved, the partnership should also serve as a savvy marketing move. In a fast-moving market, winning over tomorrow’s associates is no small thing.

What they said

Commenting on the new AI Literacy Programme, professor Hunter said: "Artificial intelligence is no longer optional for the next generation of lawyers - it’s fundamental. By giving every student and staff member hands-on access and structured guidance, we’re ensuring that King’s graduates will lead the legal profession’s AI future."

Harvey's chief business officer John Haddock said the move was "incredibly exciting", adding: "We will work closely with faculty to offer student workshops, curriculum embeds, and collaborative projects that explore AI’s role in law and society."

Legora's head of legal engineering, Alex Fortescue-Webb, said: "By integrating our platform into clinical work, students will see first-hand how responsible AI can enhance real-world legal service and access to justice."