AI legal tech company Lawhive has acquired Woodstock Legal Services, in the first acquisition of a traditional UK law firm by an AI-native platform. The acquisition will allow Lawhive to target the £25 billion legal market in the UK, the company said.
The deal will enable Lawhive to focus on the conveyancing market, where it says ‘administrative burdens routinely delay one of life’s biggest decisions – buying a home’. The company added:
“Property lawyers spend hours manually filling forms and chasing documents, while stressed clients face uncertain timelines and communication constraints.”
Lawhive’s AI technology utilises an AI ‘colleague’ to work alongside and support lawyers. Known as Lawrence, the AI model is capable of carrying out work at the level of a paralegal or junior lawyer, the company said.
“Lawrence drafts documents, completes case research and handles routine case management with minimal input – scoring 81% on the rigorous Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), far above the 55% pass threshold. The goal is not to replace lawyers, but to augment their work, reducing repetitive tasks and legal admin.”
Pierre Proner, CEO and co-founder of Lawhive, said the integrated model of a regulated law firm and tech platform will lead to better outcomes. He added:
“We’re demonstrating that technology can support and enhance the best aspects of legal practice while creating communities where lawyers shape how that technology evolves.”
Woodstock Legal Services is a full service law firm with strengths in property law and conveyancing, dispute resolution, family law, commercial law, private client and employment matters. Established by Carly Jermyn in 2014, the firm focuses on a consultancy model which it says prioritises the autonomy of its 50-plus regulated lawyers.
‘I’ve always believed a different kind of legal culture was possible, and with Woodstock, we’ve proven it’, Jermyn said.
“We’ve created a place where lawyers are supported to grow their careers in a way that fits their lives and works for their clients. This partnership is about scaling that vision with the right kind of technology – AI that enhances our skills and values, rather than eroding them.”
Lawrence will assist Woodstock’s lawyers by handling the paperwork for transactions such as conveyancing and litigation work.
‘Lawrence is the first legal AI focused on the consumer market where Lawyers’ most precious commodity – time – is under mounting pressure that risks compromising service quality and job satisfaction’, Lawhive said.
“Lawrence handles labour-intensive administrative tasks in order to give that time back, and enables lawyers to focus on building meaningful client relationships and delivering expert advice.”
Founded in 2019, Lawhive aims to make legal services more accessible, affordable and efficient by utilising AI. The company raised over €43m in Seed and Series A funding last year.
