PARTICIPATING FIRMS

LAWTECH ONBOARDING INNOVATION CHALLENGE   

Our first Innovation Challenge for the Legal Sector focuses on improving client outcomes and productivity in the onboarding and KYC areas for law firms.

Law firms face ongoing challenges in client onboarding, compliance, and risk management, often relying on manual, time-consuming processes that create inefficiencies and potential compliance risks. At the same time, many tech companies struggle to develop solutions that truly address the day-to-day realities of legal practice.

This challenge creates a practical collaboration between law firms and tech innovators, ensuring that solutions are built with direct industry input rather than in isolation. Law firms get tested, applicable technology that improves their workflows, while tech companies gain a deeper understanding of legal processes and the opportunity to refine their products for real-world adoption.

By focusing on automation, AI-driven insights, and seamless system integration, this challenge has the potential to drive meaningful change for both sectors—helping law firms work more efficiently and enabling tech companies to create solutions that truly meet market needs.

Our industry-led programme already involves key law firms: Gateley, Mills & Reeve, Fieldfisher and Shoosmiths.

““Launching this innovation challenge is a pivotal moment for us to support technology adoption in the legal sector and drive forward Next Generation Services in the West Midlands and beyond. We’re looking for lawtech pioneers, startups, and established companies with solutions that can tackle the challenges put forward by the legal industry. If your technology can make client onboarding faster, smarter, and more compliant, we want to hear from you—no matter what stage your company is at.””
— Hilary Smyth-Allen, Executive Director, SuperTech WM

  • This industry-led innovation challenge is a unique opportunity to collaborate, experiment, and showcase how your technology can transform legal processes, drive efficiency, and ensure compliance in a rapidly evolving industry.

    Why Get Involved?

    • Work Directly with Law Firms

      • Engage with leading legal professionals, gain insight into their onboarding challenges, and refine your solution with real-world feedback.

    • Test & Validate Your Technology

      • Demonstrate how your solution meets regulatory standards and helps law firms streamline client onboarding.

    • Shape the Future of Lawtech

      • Contribute to industry-led innovation calls, influencing the way law firms adopt new technologies.

    • Gain Market Credibility

      • Being part of this challenge strengthens your position as a trusted, forward-thinking lawtech provider.

    • Expand Your Network

      • Join a community of legal innovators, industry leaders, and decision-makers through events, podcasts, and forums.

    • Collaborate & Learn

      • Explore, test, and experiment with new technologies in a supportive environment, building confidence in your solution.

    Who Should Apply?

    We’re looking for lawtech pioneers, startups, and established companies with solutions that can tackle the challenges put forward by the legal industry. If your technology can make client onboarding faster, smarter, and more compliant, we want to hear from you—no matter what stage your company is at.

    Be part of the future of legal tech. Apply now to join LOIL.

    NOTE: The programme is not part of a procurement process

  • There are a number of key dates and in-person events involved in the programme. Please note them below.

    • 26th March: Information webinar for applicants to the programme

    • 4th April: Applications close

    • 9th April: SuperTech announce technology cohort for the programme

    • 11th April: Welcome webinar for technology cohort

    • 30th April: Programme Launch. In-person all day event for programme participants. Location TBC (Birmingham city centre)

    • 12th-15th May: Virtual Week, law firms to present their specific challenges to technology cohort during 60-90 minute virtual meetings

    • 8th July: Showcase day. In-person all day event for all programme participants. Location TBC (Birmingham city centre)

    • (A) How can law firms use technology to streamline the initial collection and pre-population of client data – ensuring a seamless client experience, preventing multiple manual data entries, and accelerating conflict checks without risking incomplete or inconsistent information?

    • (B) How can law firms leverage AI or advanced search methods to efficiently identify, prioritise, and clear potential conflicts of interest – reducing manual review time, minimising false positives, and providing a transparent approval process?

    • (C) How can law firms automate real-time PEP and sanctions screening across multiple jurisdictions – ensuring continuous compliance, immediate flagging of potential high-risk entities, and a clear audit trail for all checks performed?

    • (D) How can law firms provide a secure, centralised client portal for all onboarding communications and document sharing – reducing email clutter, increasing transparency, and ensuring both parties have real time visibility into the status of required information?

NOTE: This programme is not part of a procurement process.

This project is part-funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus