UK’s Top Law Firms Lead AI Adoption in Legal Services 2025

Prime Highlights:

The UK’s top law firms are rapidly adopting new technologies, marking a major shift in how legal services are delivered.
Top firms are not only using advanced tools but also focusing on staff training to ensure technology is applied responsibly and effectively.

Key Facts:

78% of the top 40 UK law firms now promote their use of advanced technology, up from 60% last year.
Among the top 20 firms, 45% have a dedicated technology lead, and more than three-quarters have in-house teams driving technology changes.

Key Background:

The UK’s leading law firms are increasingly adopting new technologies, marking a major change in how legal services are delivered. According to research from Thomson Reuters, 78% of the top 40 UK law firms now promote their use of advanced technology, up from 60% last year.

The study shows that the largest firms are investing heavily in technology expertise. Four out of 20 leading companies have a technology lead, up 35 percent from the previous year. Over three-quarters of these companies employ in-house teams to spearhead technology changes, which is only 35 percent of mid-sized companies. Despite this progress, only 24% of UK law firms have a formal technology adoption strategy, while 43% are implementing tools without a structured plan.

Raghu Ramanathan, president of legal professionals at Thomson Reuters, said, “An increasing number of law firm clients recognise

AI has the potential to enhance both productivity and client service. Organisations are likely to select panel law firms based on their ability to deliver AI-powered legal services.”

The report also highlights training as a key focus for top firms. About 55% of the top 20 firms now offer AI training for staff, a notable increase from just 20% last year. In contrast, only 10% of firms ranked 21-40 provide similar training opportunities. Ramanathan added, “Top law firms understand that using new technology effectively requires both the right tools and proper training to ensure they are used responsibly and professionally. Clients expect firms to improve productivity while maintaining high-quality service.”

Experts say this trend is creating a gap in technology expertise between the largest law firms and smaller competitors, giving mid-sized firms a chance to catch up. Overall, the research shows that technology is becoming a key factor for success in the legal sector.