- The initiative supports technology and innovation for the professional and financial services sectors in the West Mildands
- The organisers are calling for technology companies to take part in its second LawTech Innovation Challenge
- The challenge was devised because of the lack of shared benchmarks, comparable evidence and consistent evaluation methods.
Aston University is supporting a programme to help law firms shape the next generation of Legal AI.
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.
Professor Mike Caine, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Enterprise, Aston University said: “Aston University is committed to driving innovation across the West Midlands and supporting the region’s next generation of technology talent, a key objective of the Sir Peter Rigby Digital Futures Institute. Partnering with SuperTech on the LawTech Innovation Challenge aligns with our mission to bring academia and industry together. Through pioneering research and industry collaboration we are accelerating the development of practical, responsible AI technologies. We look forward to working with participating SMEs and legal firms to help shape AI solutions that strengthen the competitiveness of the region’s legal sector.”
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:
• Document review at scale
• Legal research augmentation
• Decision-ready document summarisation
• Brief and memo drafting support
• Contract drafting aligned to client needs
• Communication efficiencies
• Pro bono and access to justice at scale.
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.
Ranjit Dhindsa, Birmingham Office Leader, Fieldfisher added: “We is proud to deepen its commitment to the West Midlands as we invest in our new offices and expand our regional presence and strengthen our European connections. Hosting the launch of SuperTech’s second LawTech Innovation Challenge reflects our confidence in the strength of the local innovation ecosystem. The programme provides a valuable opportunity to collaborate with ambitious SMEs and explore new applications of Legal AI that can support our clients and our people.”
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To find our more and apply visit https://www.supertechwm.com/loil2challenge
Press contacts:
SuperTech WM: Helen Toft Comms@supertechwm.com +44 7989 420 445
Fieldfisher: Laura Williams LauraL.Williams@fieldfisher.comAbout SuperTech
We support technology and innovation-led growth for the professional and financial services sectors in Birmingham and the West Midlands. As leaders of a powerful ecosystem, we make sure that organisations can access the services and opportunities needed to achieve truly transformational impacts. Together, we can unlock the future of Next Generation Services for economic success - for our businesses, our region, and throughout the UK.About Fieldfisher
Fieldfisher is a European law firm, with market-leading practices in corporate/M&A, finance, real estate, energy and natural resources, technology and life sciences.
Our lawyers advise some of the world’s largest corporations including major technology firms, pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, energy suppliers, infrastructure companies, global banks and financial institutions. We take a collaborative approach with clients tailoring our services to their needs and integrating cutting-edge legal technologies into our advice where possible.Our international network now spans over 1,700 people across 23 offices in 12 countries, enabling us to seamlessly advise clients across time zones and disciplines.
As a responsible and socially-conscious firm, we strive to lead from the front in our industry and make ourselves accountable for our actions. Our commitment to building a more sustainable and equitable future for our people, clients and communities is at the heart of our ESG strategy.About Aston University
For over a century, Aston University’s enduring purpose has been to make our world a better place through education, research and innovation, by enabling our students to succeed in work and life, and by supporting our communities to thrive economically, socially and culturally.Aston University’s history has been intertwined with the history of Birmingham, a remarkable city that once was the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and the manufacturing powerhouse of the world.
Born out of the First Industrial Revolution, Aston University has a proud and distinct heritage dating back to our formation as the School of Metallurgy in 1875, the first UK College of Technology in 1951, gaining university status by Royal Charter in 1966, and becoming The Guardian University of the Year in 2020.
Building on our outstanding past, we are now defining our place and role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media enquiries in relation to this release, contact Nicola Jones, Head of Communications 07825 342091 or n.jones6@aston.ac.uk