LawtechUK: A New Era for Legal Innovation
LawtechUK stands as the Ministry of Justice’s flagship initiative, dedicated to fostering innovation within the legal services sector. Since its inception in 2019, the programme has played a pivotal role in accelerating the adoption and development of legal technologies throughout England and Wales. Its efforts have not only empowered legal businesses to innovate but have also significantly improved access to legal services, reinforcing the UK’s stature as a global leader in this field.
As the programme transitions into a new phase spanning from November 2026 to March 2029, the Ministry of Justice is updating its advisory framework. This refresh aims to ensure that both the government and the successful grant recipients benefit from independent expertise, constructive insights, and practical guidance moving forward.
Opportunities for Expertise in Legal Innovation
The Ministry of Justice is inviting expressions of interest from individuals possessing expertise in various domains, including legal services, lawtech, technology, academia, access to justice, and innovation. These experts will play a crucial role in shaping the future trajectory of the programme.
Detailed information regarding the available roles, eligibility criteria, and the application process can be found in the Expression of Interest invitation document.
Advisory Board and Ambassador Roles
The LawtechUK Advisory Board will be tasked with providing strategic oversight and independent counsel regarding the programme’s delivery. Board members will collaborate with Ministry of Justice officials and the successful grant recipients to ensure the programme achieves maximum impact, delivers value for money, aligns with government priorities, responds to new opportunities within the legal innovation ecosystem, and fosters effective engagement across the sector.
In addition to the Advisory Board, a network of LawtechUK Ambassadors will be established. These Ambassadors will actively promote the programme within their professional circles, facilitate stakeholder engagement, mentor participants where appropriate, and contribute to various events, workshops, and activities associated with the programme. It is important to note that while Board members will have a formal advisory role, Ambassadors will engage in a more flexible capacity without formal governance responsibilities.
Both roles will be undertaken on a voluntary and unremunerated basis. Appointments will span the duration of the programme, with the Ministry of Justice retaining the right to terminate appointments should circumstances necessitate.
Eligibility Criteria for Applicants
The Ministry of Justice welcomes applications from a diverse range of individuals across legal services, lawtech companies, technology firms, charitable organisations focused on access to justice, academia, the judiciary, and the broader legal innovation landscape. There is a particular emphasis on encouraging applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and perspectives.
For the Advisory Board, candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas are sought:
- Leadership in lawtech startups or scale-ups
- Innovation within legal services
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in legal services
- Academic research pertaining to lawtech
- Access to justice and legal innovation
The selection process will focus on assembling a well-rounded team of experts rather than appointing individuals based on specific profiles alone.
Application Process and Deadlines
Applicants wishing to join the LawtechUK Advisory Board should submit the following:
- A CV (maximum of two A4 pages)
- A statement of suitability (maximum 750 words), detailing how they meet the essential criteria and relevant membership profiles
- A completed conflicts of interest declaration
- Confirmation of their interest in being considered for the Ambassador network if not appointed to the Advisory Board
For those applying as LawtechUK Ambassadors, the application should include:
- A CV (maximum of two A4 pages)
- A brief statement (maximum 250 words) outlining potential contributions to the programme
- A completed conflicts of interest declaration
All applications must be submitted to MoJLawtechgrant3@justice.gov.uk by 5:00 PM on Monday, 5 October 2026.
Selection and Timeline
The selection process will be conducted through an open and transparent competition, evaluating expressions of interest against the established criteria and membership profiles. Conflicts of interest will be assessed on an individual basis and will not automatically disqualify candidates.
The indicative timeline for the application process is as follows:
- 5:00 PM on Monday, 5 October 2026 – Application deadline
- Mid-October 2026 – Interviews (if necessary)
- Week commencing 26 October 2026 – Notification of outcomes to applicants
- Week commencing 2 November 2026 – Announcement of appointments for the Advisory Board and Ambassador roles
Further Inquiries
For any questions related to the recruitment process, interested individuals can reach out via email at MoJLawtechGrant3@justice.gov.uk.