The initiative is run by SuperTech, which supports technology and innovation for the professional and financial services sectors in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
It is calling for companies to take part in its second LawTech Innovation Challenge which consists of eight weeks of ProfTech companies working with law firm teams to evaluate the use of AI in real workflows.
Aston University researcher Dr Alexeis Garcia-Perez will be participating in the programme to ensure the benchmarking frameworks which support law firms with legal AI adoption have academic rigour.
Dr Garcia-Perez, who is based at Aston’s Centre of Excellence for Enterprise AI will provide independent insight, support the development of an industry white paper and contribute his knowledge and research interests.
Despite firms adopting GenAI the market continues to lack shared benchmarks, comparable evidence and consistent evaluation methods for assessing value, risk and operational impact. Many firms are running isolated pilots and duplicating effort.
SuperTech believes the sector needs clearer, evidence-based insight to guide responsible, effective and transparent implementation.
Hilary Smyth Allen, SuperTech CEO, said: “Legal AI is advancing rapidly, yet the sector still lacks the shared evidence and real-world testing needed for safe and confident adoption.
“This challenge gives technology SMEs and legal firms a trusted space to work on practical problems together and generate insights the whole market can use.
“The West Midlands has one of the UK’s most ambitious professional services communities, and we are proud to support collaboration that improves productivity, transparency and client experience.
“I encourage SMEs with relevant or adaptable technology to get involved and help shape the next wave of Legal AI.”
This year’s programme brings together Fieldfisher, HCR Law and Mills & Reeve alongside Aston University and the Solicitors Regulation Authority, in an observational capacity. Additional participants are expected to join before the programme launch.
SuperTech is inviting technology SMEs to apply, including companies already active in LawTech and those able to adapt existing solutions to legal workflows in the following case areas:
Applications close 08:00 on 2 March and the programme will run from 20 March to the Showcase Day on 6 May 2026.
During this period, SMEs will work directly with legal teams on structured use cases, evidence gathering and proposition development.
