Justice Minister Sarah Sackman KC is in Chicago and New York this week, leading a group of British legal innovators who are showing the world just how much the UK’s legal sector is evolving with AI and tech.
This mission, conducted under the Great Legal Services campaign, serves to demonstrate the UK’s leadership in legal innovation and technology.
The delegation, supported by the Department for Business and Trade, comprises several of the UK’s most accomplished lawtech firms, many of which already maintain an international client base, including partnerships in the US, Singapore, Australia, and other key markets.
Justice Minister Sarah Sackman summed it up with energy:
“We’re powering up the economy by putting AI, technology, and innovation at the heart of legal services. Supporting British lawtech helps businesses thrive and brings in international investment. The UK’s legal and tech sectors are leading the way, and this mission is making sure we stay ahead while creating opportunities back home.”
During the trip, the team met hundreds of law firms, businesses, and investors from around the world at high-profile conferences in Chicago and New York.
These face-to-face connections don’t just help British companies expand overseas, they also spark interest from US-based lawtech firms considering setting up or growing operations in the UK.
Richard Hyde, His Majesty’s Consul General in Chicago, was upbeat about the visit:
“Chicago is home to one of the largest and most dynamic legal sectors in the US. There are huge opportunities for the brightest and best UK legal tech companies.”
“We were excited to welcome this ministerial led trade mission; it is opening doors for UK innovators and driving growth in the UK and in Illinois.”
This mission builds on the recent momentum from Lawtech UK, a government initiative designed to push the digital transformation of legal services.
The program was just extended for another year, giving British legal tech even more support as it continues to break new ground.
The UK legal sector already makes a huge contribution to the economy, bringing in around £37 billion a year.
In 2022, trade in legal services between the UK and the US was valued at approximately £2.2 billion. Recent agreements with countries including Switzerland, Japan, and Greece have further expanded opportunities for UK lawyers to practice internationally, enhancing the UK’s global standing for legal expertise.
Since its launch in 2017, the GREAT Legal Services campaign has facilitated over 800 new business connections for UK legal professionals and engaged more than 2.6 million individuals online across key international markets.
Continued Investment Fuels UK Lawtech Growth
In March 2025, the UK government announced a £1.5 million funding boost for the LawtechUK programme, further strengthening the nation’s position in legal technology. This investment will accelerate support for startups, attract private investment, and create jobs in the sector.
Since its launch, LawtechUK has supported over 170 startups, contributing to more than £1.7 billion raised across the UK lawtech ecosystem. The programme’s backing has helped companies secure a third of the £139.6 million raised by UK lawtech firms in 2024 alone.
