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Introduction to lawtech

Explore the benefits and risks of lawtech and learn how to start using it in your legal practice.

12 Aug 2025

6 minutes read

What is lawtech?

‘Lawtech’ refers to technology that helps improve or automate legal work.

A piece of technology is classed as ‘lawtech’ if it:

supports, supplements or replaces traditional methods for delivering legal services, or
improves the way the justice system operates

Difference between ‘lawtech’ and ‘legal tech’

The terms ‘lawtech’ and ‘legal tech’ are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference.

‘Legal tech’ refers to technology specifically made for solicitors and legal professionals. Legal tech is specifically designed to support the delivery of legal services.

‘Lawtech’ is a broader term.

As well as bespoke tools, lawtech also refers to everyday tools used by solicitors and legal professionals, which other professionals also use. For example, cloud storage systems or file sharing services.

Lawtech also covers technology that enables access to justice and legal innovation. This includes client-facing tools such as chatbots and legal advice platforms.

This means technologies classed as ‘legal tech’ also fall under the wider definition of ‘lawtech’.

‘Lawtech’ is our preferred term as it encompasses all the technologies used in a legal context.

Examples of common uses

Lawtech covers a wide range of tasks and processes.

Some technologies are designed to help deliver legal services. For example:

artificial intelligence (AI)-powered legal research tools can quickly identify relevant case law, statutes and precedents
contract lifecycle management systems will automate drafting, negotiating and executing contracts
generative AI tools can assist with drafting legal documents, correspondence or summaries
automated client onboarding systems include digital identification and verification (ID&V) and anti-money laundering (AML) compliance checks
video-based legal consultations can increase client engagement by allowing you to offer advice remotely

Other technologies aim to improve business operations. For example:

legal practice and matter management platforms can help with case tracking, billing and client communications
compliance tools help manage regulatory obligations such as data protection and AML checks
digital signature platforms allow clients to securely sign legally binding documents remotely
hybrid working technologies enable services to be delivered through secure video conferencing and file sharing
e-billing systems provide transparent, efficient invoicing and payment tracking

Lawtech products are evolving quickly, particularly since the introduction of generative AI.

Our practice note has a more detailed overview of common lawtech solutions.

Benefits and risks

The benefits of lawtech include:

increased efficiency and productivity
reduced costs
better outcomes for clients and organisations

Lawtech has the potential to make solicitors' lives easier. By helping you meet clients’ needs in less time, it can free up capacity to focus on more complex tasks.

Increases in efficiency also benefit clients by offering them greater value for money.

When used effectively, lawtech has the potential to improve access to justice for all.

But any technology also comes with risks.

These include:

data protection and confidentiality: issues with data breaches, third-party access and cross-border data transfers
reliability: AI systems in particular can produce inconsistent or unpredictable results
integration: poor integration with existing systems can disrupt workflows and reduce efficiency
accessibility: some clients may struggle to access certain systems. For example, clients with visual impairments may find some platforms are incompatible with screen readers

Our practice note on has a more detailed overview of the benefits and risks of lawtech.

Things to consider

Before using a new piece of technology, you should consider:

what cybersecurity and data protection measures are in place
how much technical support the platform or provider offers
if staff will need training to use it
what happens to your data at the end of the contract
how to measure the return on investment (ROI) of the technology
how you will test the success of the technology in your organisation

If you’re planning to adopt a new piece of technology across your whole organisation, make sure it is aligned with your organisation’s strategy and policies.

Our practice note has guidance on supporting the successful adoption of lawtech.

Read our guidance on generative AI risk management.

Regulation and compliance

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Standards and Regulations do not distinguish between conventional legal services and services provided using lawtech.

You must meet the same minimum professional standards when using lawtech.

Our practice note has more guidance on lawtech regulation and managing lawtech risks.

Data protection

Lawtech solutions must comply with the UK GDPR and the Data (Use and Access) Act.

You should make sure appropriate protections and encryption are in place. You should also regularly back up your data.

You must report any data breaches to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) within 72 hours.

For more guidance, see our data protection and GDPR resources.

Accessibility

Firms and organisations have a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to anticipate and accommodate accessibility needs.

You must make sure the products and services your organisation delivers are accessible to disabled clients.

Organisations must also make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees.

For more information, read our guide on digital accessibility.

Popular lawtech products

You should always do your research and consult with your organisation before using new technologies, particularly if there are costs involved.

It’s important you think carefully about the risks and benefits.

The following products are examples from Law Society partners.

They may not be right for you or your organisation but are intended to give you a starting point for your research.

Clio – cloud-based practice management platform
Chronologica – AI-powered chronology builder for legal cases
Dye & Durham Unity Global Platform – legal practice management system
LEAP – case management system designed for smaller firms, particularly in conveyancing, family and private client work
Thomson Reuters CoCounsel – generative AI assistant for legal professionals

Adoption of lawtech across legal services

Technology in legal services is not a new thing.

In fact, lawtech has been around since the 1950s.

The use of technology in legal services has accelerated in the past few years. This follows the introduction of more advanced technologies such as generative AI.

Levels of adoption

Our lawtech adoption research shows levels of adoption vary across the legal sector.

Business-to-business (B2B) law firms are the most advanced in lawtech adoption.

AI, legal analytics, contract management and compliance tools are more common in these firms. But adoption is often limited to pilots or specific teams.

Adoption by business-to-customer (B2C) firms is generally lower. Adoption in these firms is strongest in conveyancing, where automation is being used to reduce costs.

Adoption by in-house legal teams is increasing due to client pressure and improved organisational processes.

Client pressure is a key driver for lawtech adoption across the sector.

There is increasing demand for greater efficiency, transparency and cost control, especially in corporate legal services.

Larger firms lead adoption, but medium-sized firms are catching up. For example, with the adoption of cloud computing.

Smaller firms still often lack the resources or confidence to invest in lawtech.

Adoption of lawtech is currently more focused on automation and streamlining. There is less focus on using lawtech to radically change the delivery of legal services.

Impact and implications for solicitors

Lawtech will never completely replace solicitors.

Traditional models of providing legal services will continue to be important, particularly for vulnerable clients.

Technology can be a tool to provide better advice, run a more effective business, and streamline client engagement. But solicitors are still the ones responsible for delivering high professional standards.

This even applies to the first AI-driven law firm approved by the SRA.

It is true that more of a solicitor's daily tasks are likely to become automated. For example, pulling case reports can already be done by generative AI.

This is why it’s important to learn, engage and stay up to date with lawtech developments.

You will likely need new skills and experience to remain relevant and employable as lawtech products become more common.

Barriers to adoption

For help overcoming lawtech barriers, our practice note has guidance on supporting the successful adoption of lawtech.

Billable model

The billable hours model is still the most common way of charging for services.

Many lawtech tools reduce the time it takes to complete work. Under the billable hours model, using technology that saves time could reduce revenue.

Solicitors who are under pressure to meet billable targets also have little time to explore or learn new tools.

Junior solicitors in particular are often too busy billing to take part in tech pilots or training.

There are alternative models, such as value-based billing.

But changing the billable hours model often requires restructuring incentives and new pricing strategies, as well as client buy-in. This can be challenging to introduce in the short-term.

Internal buy-in and change management

It can often be difficult to get support of partners or senior management to introduce new technologies.

Our lawtech attitudes research found:

nearly two-thirds of respondents felt their organisations were neutral or unsupportive of using lawtech
fewer than one-third believed senior managers were actively helpful or saw lawtech as a strategic priority

Many also highlighted a lack of training and support.

Cost

Smaller firms often struggle with the upfront costs of new technology.

This includes customisation needs and security requirements of new technologies.

Many small firms also don’t have IT teams or innovation leads. This makes it harder to evaluate and implement lawtech solutions.

New technologies do not always integrate well with older systems. This means larger upgrades may be required, which costs more money and takes more time.

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