Guidance

Legal services advisory AI Growth Lab: application eligibility and support

Published 3 August 2026

Eligibility criteria 1: potential for significant benefits

The applicant should demonstrate there is potential for significant benefits to the legal services or to consumers’ access to justice from their service or product, either directly or indirectly.

We are looking for proposals that have the potential to make a meaningful impact, either for organisations, consumers or the wider legal services market. This might include:

• increased productivity
• improved consumer access to legal services or justice
• growth of LawTech or legal sector in the UK
• greater competition and innovation
• wider adoption of AI across legal services

Eligibility criteria 2: innovation

The AI product or service should be innovative. This does not necessarily mean inventing something completely new. We’re interested in genuinely novel applications of AI.

This could include:

• a completely new product
• a significant enhancement to an existing product
• bringing an existing solution into a new market where regulatory uncertainty has prevented deployment
• introducing new ways of working or practices within the legal services sector through the use of AI

Applicants should clearly explain what differentiates their proposal from existing solutions and services, and why participation in the advisory AI Growth Lab will help unlock innovation.

Eligibility criteria 3: readiness to participate at pace

We recognise that innovation is iterative. However, applicants should be able to demonstrate that, aside from the regulatory questions identified in their application, they are ready to participate in the lab and engage with regulators at pace.

This means:

• the product and service is sufficiently developed
• partnerships are in place where needed
• the organisation has the capacity and commitment to engage with regulators throughout the lab

We’re not expecting products to be market-ready. However, proposals should be sufficiently developed so that, if accepted into the lab, participants are ready to engage meaningfully with the programme.

Eligibility criteria 4: potential to be resolved within existing regulatory frameworks

We are looking for proposals where engagement with regulators could help organisations better understand how existing legal and regulatory frameworks apply to their product or service, enabling responsible innovation.

The advisory AI Growth Lab cannot change legislation or create exemptions from the law.

The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), Legal Services Board (LSB) and Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) only oversee legal services in England and Wales, and cannot support those based in Northern Ireland or Scotland.

Eligibility criteria 5: who can apply

The programme is open to organisations and individuals with a UK-established legal entity or UK-registered branch, including but not limited to:

• LawTech companies
• law firms, legal professionals and alternative business structures (ABSs)
• conveyancing firms
• AI developers
• public sector organisations
• small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• other innovators exploring AI-enabled legal services

Regulatory scope

Types of applications we are looking for

Applications must relate to the development, testing or deployment of an AI-enabled product or service operating within the legal sector.

We are looking for projects where the use of AI within a legal service context is a focus, requiring additional regulatory support. The use of AI should not merely be present in your product or service but forms a core part of your regulatory challenge.

There are examples of the types of real-world AI applications we are looking for in the ‘who can apply’ section of the overview document.

Types of regulatory challenges the lab is looking for

The lab is designed to support organisations that are facing regulatory questions or barriers when developing or deploying AI in legal services. We are looking for proposals where engagement with regulators could help organisations better understand how existing legal and regulatory frameworks apply to their product or service, enabling responsible innovation.

The issues raised will vary depending on the proposal. They could include, but are not limited to:

• questions relating to client confidentiality
• legal privilege
• data protection
• explainability
• professional obligations
• use of client data

Regulation of organisations

Your organisation or product may be subject to other regulatory regimes. However, the advisory AI Growth Lab can only provide support on matters within the remit of the participating regulators.

Products relating to legal services in Scotland or Northern Ireland

We welcome applications from across the UK. However, the CLC, LSB and SRA regulate legal services only in England and Wales. Your regulatory question must therefore relate to the legal services regulatory framework in England and Wales. Legal services in Scotland and Northern Ireland are subject to separate regulators and regulatory frameworks.

Challenges requiring a change in legislation

The advisory AI Growth Lab cannot change legislation or create exemptions from the law.

What joining the lab means for a product’s regulatory approval

Participation does not constitute regulatory approval, authorisation or endorsement of a product or service.

Applications

Applying

For details on how to apply and the stages involved, see the ‘how to apply’ section of the overview document.

Applying from outside the UK

We are only accepting applications from UK-established legal entities or entities operating through a UK branch.

What makes a strong application

Strong applications clearly meet the AI Growth Lab criteria by explaining:

• the AI-enabled product or service
• the regulatory question, opportunity or challenge relevant to deployment
• why participation in the lab could help resolve that uncertainty
• the benefits the proposal could deliver
• why the organisation is ready to participate

Applications supported by evidence are likely to be stronger.

Number of organisations to be selected

The first cohort is expected to include around 10 to 12 participants, though this may vary depending on the quality and suitability of applications.

Feedback on unsuccessful applications

We will provide information on the outcome of applications and, where appropriate, signpost applicants to other relevant programmes or regulatory routes.

Joint applications

Collaborative applications are welcome where multiple organisations are working together on the same AI-enabled product, service or pilot. Applications should identify a lead organisation.

Support during applications

Learning more before applying

Throughout the application window, applicants will have access to:

• application guidance
• a launch webinar taking place on 10 August 2026
• bookable one-to-one application support sessions
• opportunities to ask questions throughout the application period via email: legalservicesaigl@dsit.gov.uk

Discussing your idea before applying

Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend the launch webinar on 10 August 2026.

You will also be able to book one-to-one sessions with the programme team. These sessions are intended to help applicants understand the process, rather than provide an assessment of the likelihood of success. We’ll be publishing further details on how to book a one-to-one session shortly.

Participation

Cost of participation

Participation in the advisory AI Growth Lab is free. Participants are responsible for their own staff time and any costs associated with developing, testing or deploying their product or service.

What selected participants will receive

Participants will receive coordinated engagement with relevant regulators and delivery partners. Support may include:

• discussions on regulatory issues
• clarification of existing requirements
• opportunities to explore how regulation applies to their proposed use case

The exact support will depend on the nature of the challenges being considered.

Participants will not receive funding. Participation in the lab does not amount to regulatory endorsement or approval, and does not provide a safe harbour or letters of comfort.

Time commitment

Participants should be prepared to engage regularly throughout the programme (which will last up to 9 months), including:

• meetings with delivery partners
• sharing relevant information about their proposal
• participating in evaluation activities

We will provide more detailed expectations before the programme begins.

Confidentiality of information

We recognise that applications may contain confidential or commercially sensitive information. Applicants should identify any information they consider confidential or commercially sensitive, and this will be handled appropriately by the regulators involved in delivering the lab.

Information may need to be shared between participating organisations to assess applications and support participation in the lab. Participation does not remove any legal, regulatory or statutory obligations relating to information sharing, disclosure or transparency.

What happens after the lab finishes

Lessons learned will help improve regulatory understanding across the legal services ecosystem and inform future development of the wider AI Growth Lab programme. We’ll share insights in an aggregated and anonymised way where appropriate.

Participation does not equal regulatory approval and anyone wishing to apply for this at the conclusion of the lab will still need to use the appropriate channels for the relevant regulator.

Myth busting

My organisation is too small to apply

False. SMEs are encouraged to apply, and organisations of all sizes are eligible provided they meet the published criteria.

Only law firms can apply

False. We welcome applications from a wide range of organisations, including:

• LawTech companies
• AI developers
• public sector organisations
• other businesses working within the legal services ecosystem

My product has to be finished before I can apply

False. Your proposal should be sufficiently developed to participate in the programme, but it does not need to be market ready. It should also be early enough in the design and development process that engagement with regulators can meaningfully influence the product before deployment.

Participating guarantees regulatory approval

False. Participation does not replace existing regulatory requirements or constitute regulatory approval. Where a participant requires regulatory authorisation or another formal regulatory decision, they will need to follow the relevant regulator’s existing processes and requirements.

The AI Growth Lab changes the law

False. The advisory AI Growth Lab provides regulatory engagement and clarification under the existing legal framework. It does not change legislation or remove legal or regulatory obligations.

I need to know exactly which regulator is responsible before I apply

False. The AI Growth Lab provides a single front door. Applications will be reviewed collaboratively by the relevant regulators.