The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced the launch of the third phase of the LawtechUK programme, opening a new grant competition worth up to £3.62 million to support innovation in legal technology across England and Wales.
The programme forms part of the government’s wider strategy to strengthen the UK’s position as a global leader in legal services by encouraging the development and adoption of technology that improves the delivery of legal advice and access to justice. The successful applicant will be responsible for delivering the next phase of the programme from November 2026 through to March 2029.
Lawtech encompasses a broad range of technologies that assist or transform legal services, including artificial intelligence tools, automated legal workflows, digital dispute resolution platforms and software designed to improve efficiency for both legal professionals and consumers. The Ministry of Justice said continued investment in these technologies is essential to ensure the legal sector remains internationally competitive while responding to the evolving needs of businesses and the public.
The latest funding programme aims to encourage greater adoption of legal technology by small and medium-sized legal service providers, support the development of AI-driven legal solutions, promote regional growth within the UK’s lawtech sector, and improve access to legal services through innovation. It also seeks to reinforce the position of the law of England and Wales as a foundation for emerging technologies.
Applications are open to UK-registered organisations with a significant UK presence, including consortiums led by an eligible organisation. Public sector bodies and individual applicants are not eligible. Successful applicants will be subject to financial and governance due diligence before funding is awarded.
The competition officially opened on 16 July 2026, with applications closing on 26 August 2026. The Ministry of Justice expects to notify the successful applicant in October 2026, with programme delivery beginning the following month.
The announcement reflects the government’s continued commitment to supporting innovation within the legal sector and encouraging technologies that can improve efficiency, accessibility and the delivery of legal services throughout England and Wales.
