Government backs legal with new AI growth lab targeting sector

The UK government has opened applications for its AI growth lab for legal services, inviting law firms, legal professionals and AI developers to work with regulators on the next generation of legal AI.

The programme will explore practical barriers to AI development and adoption and provide innovators with regulatory input to help bring new ideas to the market. It is jointly led by the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Legal services was chosen as the first sector priority for the AI growth lab.

Deputy prime minister and lord chancellor David Lammy said the legal sector is often “held back by analogue systems simply not fit for the digital age” adding that the initiative will “turbocharge” legal innovation.

Applications close on 27 September.

Tipping point

The applications open as the UK market for legal AI continues to mature. Last month, Garfield AI secured what it described as the first successful court victory supported by a regulated AI law firm, following its historic approval by the SRA as the UK's first AI-native law firm.

The policy push also comes amid growing financial backing for the UK's AI ambitions. The government announced a £500 million sovereign AI investment fund in April, while newly appointed AI minister Kanishka Narayan has highlighted professional services, including legal, as a sector where AI could deliver significant productivity gains.