UK legal firms gain traction in USA

Justice Minister Sarah Sackman has joined home-grown lawtech firms in Chicago this week to showcase how the UK legal sector is putting AI at the front and centre of its services. This initiative marks a significant boost for British businesses as a delegation comprising some of the country's top legal minds visited Chicago and New York as part of the Great Legal Services campaign, which operates alongside the Department for Business and Trade. By connecting with hundreds of law firms, businesses, and investors worldwide at major lawtech conferences, the group aims to enhance their international presence and further contribute to the UK economy.

The importance of these conferences is underscored by recent figures showing that trade in legal services between the US and UK was worth £2.2 billion in 2022. Some of the companies participating in this delegation already boast annual turnovers of £20 million and extend their services to clients globally, including those based in the USA, Singapore, and Australia.

Minister for Courts and Legal Services, Sarah Sackman KC, said “We’re kickstarting our economy by harnessing the power of AI, technology and innovation in law. Backing British lawtech will boost businesses and attract international investment as part of our Plan for Change. In a fast-changing global market, UK law and lawtech are at the cutting edge. This trade mission and Government investment in lawtech will ensure the UK stays in pole position for law while growing the wider economy.”

These events are crucial as they assist UK lawtech companies, known for creating technology or software for legal services, to secure business and expand their market presence in the United States. The trip also aims to develop a pipeline of US lawtech firms looking to set up or grow operations in the UK, further reinforcing the country’s status as a global leader in both legal services and technology.

His Majesty’s Consul General, British Consulate-General, Richard Hyde said “Chicago is home to one of the largest and most dynamic legal sectors in the US. There are huge opportunities for the brightest and best UK legal tech companies. We were excited to welcome this ministerial led trade mission; it is opening doors for UK innovators and driving growth in the UK and in Illinois.”

This mission follows a recent announcement regarding the continuation of the Lawtech UK programme, a government-backed initiative that aims to propel digital transformation within the domestic legal services sector. The programme will receive funding for an additional year, reinforcing the UK’s leading position in the global legal services market. Overall, the UK’s legal sector contributes £37 billion to the UK economy annually, with recent agreements established with nations such as Switzerland, Japan, and Greece allowing UK lawyers to practice abroad, further viably expanding the sector's international reach.