The AI Growth Lab, a UK government initiative launched to test new technologies across sectors and regulatory remits, has invited firms in the legal sector to apply.
The initiative was announced earlier this year by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and will serve as a cross-economy sandbox, enabling the trialling of innovative AI products and services.
The first sector invited to participate is legal services, which according to government figures is worth as much as £42.7bn as of 2025.
The Legal Services AI Growth Lab will work with law firms, conveyancers and legal tech companies with the goal of helping them adopt AI quickly, bolstered by clear, joined-up regulatory guidance.
Regulatory participants of this first lab include the Council for Licensed Conveyancers, the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the Information Commissioner’s Office and the Legal Services Board.
“The legal services sector employs over 317,000 people up and down the country, and it’s a fundamental part of how we do business, and access justice. Society and the economy simply don’t work without it,” said AI Minister Kanishka Narayan.
“In many ways this sector is the exemplar case for just how impactful AI is set to be. Smart, responsible use of this technology could make legal services radically more accessible and free up legal professionals to focus on the complex, high-value work where human judgment is irreplaceable.
“But to make that happen, it’s critical that we get the regulation right, and this first AI Growth Lab will guide us all as we start that important journey.”
Businesses that take part will work directly with regulators to understand how existing rules apply to AI as well as to identify barriers that slow adoption and receive practical support on responsible use of technology.
“It is important that our services industry keeps pace and remains at the forefront of digital innovation,” said Justice Minister Sarah Sackman KC.
“That is why we are accelerating innovation across the legal sector, boosting productivity, and delivering a modern justice system that can help cement the UK’s position as a global leader in legal services.”
Read more: Move fast and scale safe – making the AI Growth Lab work for legal tech
