The report estimates that LegalTech now contributes over £260m in GVA to the Leeds economy, with the number of firms in the sector growing by 50% over the past 12 months. This growth is supported by Leeds’ well-established legal services sector, which contributes c.£920m in GVA, and a thriving technology ecosystem valued at £9.2bn.
A strong talent pipeline continues to underpin this progress, with Leeds home to five major law schools, over 6,000 computing students, and 1 in 3 graduates working in STEM-related fields.
Since 2020, Whitecap Consulting has led the LegalTech in Leeds initiative, playing a central role in fostering collaboration between legal service providers, technology firms, and regional stakeholders. This latest report is the third in a series published by LegalTech in Leeds / Whitecap Consulting, following the initial report in 2020, reinforcing the region’s position as a national hub for LegalTech and innovation.
Key findings include:
- A growing presence of major law firms, with 36% of the UK’s top 25 firms operating in the Leeds region, generating a combined c.£3.1bn in revenue.
- Increased adoption of AI and GenAI among larger firms, with opportunities for greater tech integration within smaller firms.
- Stronger links between academia and industry, particularly through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), fostering innovation and real-world applications of LegalTech solutions.
Chloe Thompson, Consultant at Whitecap Consulting, commented:
“Since launching the LegalTech in Leeds initiative, we have seen significant progress in connecting the legal and digital sectors across the region. Our role in coordinating this work has been instrumental in driving collaboration, and we are now seeing tangible outcomes. As the UK LegalTech landscape continues to evolve, Leeds is well positioned to capitalise on new opportunities for growth and innovation.”
The 2024-25 report outlines a roadmap for the continued development of the sector, with projections indicating the creation of over 1,800 new jobs by 2025. As Leeds strengthens its role in the UK’s wider LegalTech ecosystem, the report provides key insights into the sector’s trajectory and future opportunities.
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.
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.
Download the report here
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