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Guidance

Legal services advisory AI Growth Lab: overview

Published 3 August 2026

© Crown copyright 2026

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advisory-ai-growth-lab-legal-services/legal-services-advisory-ai-growth-lab-overview

Overview

The advisory AI Growth Lab is a new sandbox designed to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence (AI) by helping innovators navigate existing regulatory frameworks with greater confidence.

Legal services is the first focus of the sandbox. Applications are now open and will close at 11:59pm on 27 September 2026.

A launch webinar will take place on 10 August 2026, where we will go through the application process and eligibility in more detail.

Organisations developing AI in legal services often need to navigate multiple regulatory and professional frameworks and requirements. Integrating a novel technology within this environment can create uncertainty and slow adoption.

The legal services advisory AI Growth Lab provides innovators and adopters with coordinated access to regulators, helping them to understand how current regulation applies to cutting-edge technology so they can bring products to market faster.

The lab will accelerate safe and responsible AI adoption and innovation in the legal sector and improve access to justice for the public by enabling high-quality, faster and more affordable legal services.

Who can apply

We are seeking applications from organisations developing or deploying AI in legal services, 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

We are particularly interested in applications that would benefit from engagement with one or more of the participating regulators, including where an issue may cross multiple regulatory remits or raise novel questions about how existing regulatory frameworks apply in practice.

The AI Growth Lab is focused on real-world AI applications that could improve legal services for businesses and consumers. Examples may include:

  • AI tools that support legal professionals in delivering services more efficiently
  • technologies and tools that help improve access to justice
  • AI-assisted conveyancing and property services
  • tools that help organisations analyse, manage or process legal information
  • solutions that raise questions across multiple regulatory regimes

Who is involved

The AI Growth Lab is delivered through collaboration between government and regulators. The legal services advisory AI Growth Lab brings together the:

  • Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC)
  • Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
  • Legal Services Board (LSB)
  • Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
  • Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST)
  • Ministry of Justice (MoJ)

The lab supports innovation while maintaining the role and responsibilities of existing regulators. Participation does not provide regulatory approval, endorsement or exemptions from legal obligations. Organisations remain responsible for complying with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

How to apply

Apply through our DSIT Grants Hub online application portal from 3 August 2026. You will need to:

  • create an account
  • login to the website
  • navigate to the application portal
  • select ‘AI Growth Lab – Legal Services’

Join our launch webinar on 10 August 2026 to find out more about the application process and eligibility criteria. Sign up for the launch webinar.

Contact legalservicesaigl@dsit.gov.uk if you have any questions.

Stage 1: apply

Submit information about your organisation, your AI product or service, and the regulatory questions or challenges you would like to explore in the application form. Applications opened on 3 August and will close at 11:59pm on 27 September 2026.

Stage 2: assessment

Regulators will jointly review applications against the eligibility criteria. You can expect to hear back around the end of October 2026.

Stage 3: participation

If successful, you’ll work with relevant regulators and stakeholders to explore your questions, identify risks, and clarify how existing requirements apply. Participation in the legal services advisory AI Growth Lab lasts for up to 9 months.

Stage 4: learning and insights

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.

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