A new report into the future of LegalTech in the West of England has been commissioned by Bristol Law Society, the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and Bristol+BathLegalTech.
The report, which will provide a comprehensive analysis of regional innovation and technology in the legal sector, will investigate how to increase the West of England’s growing renown and competitive advantage in LegalTech. One of the region’s leading law firms, Foot Anstey, has signed up as the first business partner.
The LegalTech sector in the West of England is one of the fastest growing in the UK. Establishing this dynamic sector as an international centre of excellence is a central factor in both the region’s industrial strategy and the development of its legal industry, which is already recognised for its leading-edge track record of innovation and technology adoption.
West of England Mayor Tim Bowles said: “The West of England is a vibrant and dynamic hub for innovation in professional services. LegalTech brings together our forward-looking legal sector with our globally recognised tech sector to revolutionise the way the legal industry operates.
“This report will provide valuable data and insights not only for the region but for the entire country, being the first comprehensive survey of LegalTech in the post-COVID world. The report is a central tool for promoting the region’s strengths in LegalTech; taking the exciting Bristol+BathLegalTech initiative to the next level as a driver of digital transformation in the legal services sector. This all underlines the West of England’s national and international importance as a centre of innovation.”
Regional strategy firm Whitecap Consulting, which recently produced a similar report on Fintech in the West of England, will work with local expects across legal and tech to conduct the analysis. The final report has been sponsored by Invest Bristol & Bath and will be used to inform the national debate about the development of LegalTech both nationally and internationally, attracting further investment and business opportunities to the region.
Bristol Law Society President Ben Holt said: “Bristol Law Society recognises the increasing use of and huge potential for LegalTech amongst the law firms in our region. It is a key driver for many firms in streamlining their current offering and delivering services in innovative ways in an increasingly digitalised and agile work place. Bristol is a diverse legal sector with large firms looking to partner with tech firms and lead the way on innovation, and smaller firms looking to harness the power of tech products to deliver services more efficiently.
“There is a complementary drive within the courts and pro bono groups to use LegalTech to help drive the administration of and access to justice which is critically important to our broader justice system. Additionally, there is a great opportunity to work together with our excellent universities and other legal education providers to upskill and inspire the next generation of future lawyers and legal tech specialists in this burgeoning sector.”
Ben Holt added: “Bristol and Bath’s legal services need to be represented and put on the map nationally and internationally and so we are encouraging our members to support this report which, together with the Bristol+BathLegalTech group, is essential to making our mark and shouting about the breadth and depth of what we offer in this space.”
