Sarah Sackman says three-year extension will support startups developing tools to improve efficiency and expand access to justice across the legal sector
The government has confirmed a further £4.5 million investment in the LawtechUK programme, extending the initiative for three years as part of efforts to reinforce the UK’s position as a global leader in legal technology and support growth across the legal services sector.
Announced by the Ministry of Justice, the funding will support the continued development of startups building digital tools designed to improve efficiency, reduce costs and expand access to justice. The extension forms part of the government’s wider economic strategy aimed at strengthening innovation across high-value professional services.
LawtechUK, delivered by CodeBase and Legal Geek, plays a central role in supporting the adoption of technology across the legal sector and helping early-stage companies scale their products for use by practitioners, businesses and public services.
Courts and legal services minister Sarah Sackman said the investment demonstrated the government’s commitment to maintaining the UK’s leadership position in legal technology.
She said the UK was “not just keeping pace with the global legal tech revolution” but continuing to lead it, pointing to figures showing that 44% of European lawtech startups are based in the UK.
The funding extension follows strong growth in the domestic lawtech sector, with UK-founded legal technology companies securing almost £189 million in investment last year, representing a 35% increase year-on-year.
Ministers said the programme supports the transformation of legal services delivery by encouraging the development of tools that streamline processes, reduce administrative burdens and improve accessibility for users navigating the justice system.
The announcement also reflects the government’s wider recognition of the legal services sector as a major contributor to the national economy. Officials noted that the sector generates more than £43 billion annually and supports over 317,000 jobs across the UK.
LawtechUK has supported hundreds of startups since its launch in 2019 and is intended to strengthen collaboration between law firms, technology companies and investors, helping accelerate digital adoption across the profession and expand regional innovation activity beyond London.
The programme forms part of a broader strategy to position the UK legal sector at the forefront of global innovation, with ministers emphasising the role of emerging technologies — including artificial intelligence — in improving productivity, supporting dispute resolution and widening access to justice.
The latest investment signals continued government backing for lawtech as a driver of economic growth and competitiveness in international legal markets, as policymakers seek to ensure that the UK remains a leading jurisdiction for both legal services and legal innovation.