The 2024-25 LegalTech in Leeds Annual Report underscores the growth of the LegalTech sector and the increasing collaboration between legal service providers, technology firms and regional stakeholders, further solidifying the region as a hub for LegalTech and innovation.
The report estimates that LegalTech contributes over £260m in GVA to the region's economy and has shown a 50% growth in the number of firms over the last 12 months. The LegalTech sector is driven by a strong legal services industry that contributes a GVA of c.£920m and a growing tech ecosystem that contributes an estimated £9.2bn.
The sector is also underpinned by a strong supply of talent into the region with 5 major law schools, over 6,000 computing students and 1 in 3 graduates working in STEM related fields.
The report includes a foreword from Ed Whiting OBE, Chief Executive, Leeds City Council who states:
“Leeds is a hub for digital innovation, home to over 3,000 thriving digital and data businesses. At the intersection of this digital expertise and our strong professional services sector lies LegalTech – a rapidly growing area within our legal ecosystem. This combination of a diverse economy, digital and data capabilities, and a skilled talent pool positions Leeds well to contribute to the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy and drive growth for the UK.”
This latest report is the third in a series published by LegalTech in Leeds / Whitecap Consulting, following the initial report in 2020. The Leeds region LegalTech sector is emerging as a pivotal component of the broader technology and legal industries, leveraging innovation to enhance legal service delivery, and set to create over 1,800 jobs by 2025.
Chloe Thompson, Consultant at Whitecap Consulting, added:
“Since our first report, we have witnessed significant strides in fostering collaboration between the legal and digital sectors in the Leeds region. The LegalTech in Leeds initiative has played a crucial role in facilitating these connections, and we are now seeing tangible benefits. As momentum continues to build across the UK LegalTech landscape, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for Leeds region and beyond.”
The report highlights that 36% of the UK’s top 25 law firms have a presence in the Leeds region, with a combined revenue of c.£3.1 billion. Large firms are demonstrating increasing progress with regards to tech adoptions and innovation, particularly around AI and GenAI, while smaller firms remain an area of opportunity for greater support.
The region’s universities are also playing an active role in the ecosystem, strengthening ties with industry through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs).
The 2024-25 LegalTech in Leeds Annual Report reaffirms the region's growing status as a leader in the LegalTech space and provides a roadmap for continued expansion and innovation in the coming years.
This report is sponsored by Addleshaw Goddard, Bruntwood SciTech, BPP University, Leeds Trinity University, PEXA, rradar, The University of Law, The University of Leeds and Walker Morris, and is supported by Leeds City Council, Leeds Law Society, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and LawtechUK.
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