MoJ Invites Bids for £3.6 Million LawtechUK Programme to Drive Legal Innovation

The UK Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has launched a competition for the next phase of its flagship LawtechUK programme, offering funding of up to £3.62 million to support initiatives aimed at advancing legal technology and expanding access to legal services. The successful bidder will oversee the programme from November 2026 to March 2029, marking the third phase of the Government’s long-running effort to modernise the legal sector through innovation.

Established in 2019, LawtechUK was created to accelerate the development and adoption of digital technologies across legal services while strengthening the UK’s position as a leading global legal centre. According to the Ministry of Justice, the programme supports innovation by encouraging technological solutions that improve access to justice, enhance the delivery of legal services, and reinforce the international competitiveness of English and Welsh law.

The programme’s current phase has been delivered by Legal Geek and CodeBase. Although it was originally scheduled to conclude in March 2026, it received a six-month extension earlier this year following the Government’s announcement of £4.5 million in additional funding. The newly announced funding will support the next phase beginning in November.

Unlike previous phases, the Ministry has made it clear that applicants are not expected to replicate existing activities. Instead, the tender expressly encourages bidders to present innovative approaches capable of achieving the programme’s objectives in an evolving legal technology landscape. The announcement recognises that the lawtech sector has changed significantly since the programme’s launch, particularly following rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and increased investment by organisations possessing substantial technical expertise, computing infrastructure, and financial resources.

A central objective of the new programme is to ensure that the benefits of technological innovation are distributed more broadly across the legal sector. In particular, the Government has emphasised the need to support smaller legal service providers, many of whom may face barriers in adopting emerging technologies. The programme is also intended to contribute towards improving access to legal services and addressing unmet legal need by encouraging wider adoption of digital solutions.

In addition to supporting technology start-ups, LawtechUK has played an important role in advancing legal innovation through initiatives such as its support for the UK Jurisdiction Taskforce, chaired by the Master of the Rolls. The Taskforce has been instrumental in examining the legal implications of emerging technologies, including digital assets, smart contracts, and artificial intelligence, helping to maintain the UK’s reputation as a forward-looking legal jurisdiction.

The competition to deliver the programme is open to UK-registered organisations and consortia, although applications from individuals are not permitted. Interested applicants must submit their proposals by 26 August 2026, with the successful bidder expected to be notified in October 2026.

The announcement reflects the Government’s continued commitment to fostering innovation within the legal sector while adapting its strategy to the rapidly evolving technological landscape. By encouraging fresh ideas and prioritising wider access to legal technology, the next phase of LawtechUK seeks to ensure that advances in AI and digital innovation benefit not only major legal organisations but the broader legal services ecosystem as a whole.