The government is launching the advisory AI Growth Labs, a new
advisory sandbox designed to accelerate the development and
deployment of AI products and services by helping innovators
navigate existing regulatory frameworks with greater confidence.
Legal services will be the first sector to participate, following
strong industry demand and we know it is an area where clearer,
more joined-up information within existing frameworks can
accelerate development. This is also supported by the evidence
gathered through the Department for Science, Innovation and
Technology's Call for Evidence.
Building on existing collaboration between legal services
regulators, the Lab will bring together the Council for Licensed
Conveyancers, the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the
Information Commissioner's Office and the Legal Services Board.
Together, they will work with innovators to surface and address
cross-regulatory challenges, identify any unintended barriers in
regulators' rules, and build a clearer picture of what good
regulatory oversight of AI looks like in practice.
By providing greater clarity, the advisory AI Growth Lab will
support responsible innovation, boost economic growth and help
improve access to justice for the public by enabling faster and
and more affordable services, while maintaining quality.
Applications for AI innovators including LawTech companies, legal
service providers and conveyancing firms will open later this
summer.
Rafie Faruq, CEO and Co-founder of Genie AI:
The launch of the Legal Services Advisory AI Growth Lab is a
really welcome step. Clear, joined up regulatory support is what
unlocks responsible AI innovation in regulated industries like
ours, and what gives UK companies the confidence to build at
speed. As a leading generative AI company in legal, GenieAI is
excited to test our latest innovations with the lab, which could
unlock a new level of growth for the sector.
Sue Bence, COO, Farringdon:
The AI Growth Lab is a genuinely important step for the UK legal
sector. As an AI-native law firm, we know first-hand that the
most exciting opportunities to improve client outcomes often sit
at the edges of existing regulatory frameworks and that what
innovators need most is a route to test those ideas safely, with
their regulator alongside them.
Tony Randle, Director of Client Tech and Service Improvement,
Shoosmiths:
We welcome the launch of the Legal Services Advisory AI Growth
Lab, which marks a pivotal step in supporting responsible AI
innovation within the legal sector. The introduction of clearer,
more coordinated regulatory guidance will empower innovators and
adopters to navigate complex frameworks more confidently and help
unlock new opportunities. We look forward to exploring how
Shoosmiths can participate in the Lab and contribute to shaping a
future where technology enhances legal services beyond what was
previously possible
Further Information
- The advisory AI Growth Lab is a cross-economy sandbox,
enabling the trialling of innovative AI products and services,
accelerating UK growth and building trust in AI. Legal services
has been chosen as the first sector for the advisory Growth Lab.
- The advisory AI Growth Lab will provide additional support to
innovators and adopters, helping them to responsibly test AI
products within existing regulatory frameworks.
- The Legal Services Board, the Solicitors Regulation
Authority, the Council for Licensed Conveyancers, and the
Information Commissioner's Office will all provide regulatory
support.
- Participation in the Lab will not constitute regulatory
approval, endorsement or authorisation. Legal and regulatory
requirements will remain the same.
Illustrative use cases for
the Legal Services AI Growth Lab (PDF, 102 KB, 3 pages)
