UK government launches £3.62m drive to accelerate lawtech innovationMOJ Lawtech Grant Competition Phase III

The UK government is putting £3.62 behind the next phase of its LawtechUK programme, as it seeks to accelerate innovation across legal services and strengthen the country’s position as a global legal technology hub. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is inviting applications from UK-based registered entities to deliver the programme from November 2026 through to March 2029. The initiative is designed to support the development and adoption of technologies that could transform how legal services are delivered, while improving access to justice for consumers and businesses. The funding comes as artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes the legal sector, with lawtech increasingly being used to automate routine processes, help people understand their legal rights, improve dispute resolution and make legal services more efficient.

Building the next generation of lawtech
The next phase of LawtechUK will focus on growing the UK’s lawtech ecosystem while encouraging greater adoption of technology across the legal sector. A central priority will be supporting solutions that benefit consumers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), alongside the development of AI-driven legal technologies aligned with the UK AI Action Plan.

The programme will also aim to increase digital capability among smaller legal service providers, recognising that access to technology and skills can be as important as the technology itself. For the government, the ambition extends beyond encouraging individual businesses to develop new products. The programme is intended to help establish a stronger ecosystem in which legal technology companies, legal professionals and other organisations can collaborate and scale.

Regional growth moves up the agenda
The government is also looking to spread lawtech growth beyond established technology centres. The programme will target regions identified as priorities under the UK’s Industrial Strategy, particularly city regions and high-growth clusters with the potential to develop stronger lawtech ecosystems. That regional focus reflects a broader push to ensure that the economic benefits of emerging technologies are not concentrated in a small number of locations. The successful provider will also be expected to support the development and adoption of technologies that can improve access to legal services and help reduce unmet legal need.

AI could transform access to legal services
Artificial intelligence is at the heart of the changing lawtech landscape. From tools that help consumers understand legal information to systems capable of automating repetitive legal processes, AI is opening up new possibilities for how individuals and organisations interact with the legal system. The government says continued innovation will be essential if the UK is to remain internationally competitive, meet the changing needs of businesses and consumers, and improve access to legal services. The programme will therefore place particular emphasis on supporting the development and adoption of AI-driven technologies while building the capabilities needed for responsible implementation.

Making English and Welsh law a technology advantage
Another objective is to strengthen the position of the law of England and Wales in emerging technology markets. The programme will support and promote the work of the UK Jurisdiction Taskforce, with the broader ambition of making the UK’s legal framework a foundation for emerging technologies.

For the UK legal sector, this represents an opportunity to connect its established international reputation with the growth of new technology markets. The government’s ambition is ultimately to ensure that legal expertise and technological innovation reinforce one another, helping the UK compete in a rapidly evolving global economy.

Who can apply?
The competition is open to UK-based registered corporate entities with a significant UK presence. Applicants can apply independently or form consortia, joint ventures, unincorporated associations or partnerships. Where organisations apply as a consortium, they will need to identify a lead applicant.

Public sector organisations and individuals are not eligible to apply. All successful applicants will also be subject to due diligence, including assessments of financial viability, governance structures, legal entities and adverse media checks.

Applications close in August
The Invitation to Application was published on 16 July 2026, with applications closing at 5pm on 26 August 2026. The successful bidder is expected to be notified in October, with activities beginning in November 2026. Funding is scheduled to run until March 2029.

The MoJ says the competition builds on progress made through previous phases of LawtechUK and is intended to support the continued development of the UK’s legal technology ecosystem.

With billions being invested globally in artificial intelligence and businesses rapidly adopting new digital tools, the latest funding represents a significant opportunity for the UK to strengthen its position at the intersection of law, technology and entrepreneurship.

For the legal sector, the challenge will be turning that investment into technologies that do more than improve efficiency – creating a system that is more accessible, innovative and capable of meeting the needs of the businesses and consumers it serves.