Lawtech Open Innovation Lab (LOIL) Challenge
An analysis of the experience in the Open Innovation experiment in the Law Sector in the West Midlands, UK.
The LOIL Challenge exemplifies the SuperTech mission: bringing together law firms, technology innovators, and regulators to tackle shared challenges in a collaborative, non-competitive environment. This mission is of shared importance regionally and nationally as identified in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy and West Midlands Local Growth Plan. Legal services is a significant part of the priority sectors, with innovation - particularly technology-led innovation - and adoption as key levers for growth.
Client onboarding and compliance are critical pain points for law firms, yet they are areas where collective action can deliver transformative outcomes. Through LOIL, we have demonstrated that open innovation is not just a concept but a practical, powerful tool for accelerating technology adoption and shaping the future of legal services. This report provides valuable insights for firms, innovators, and policymakers alike. It shows that when we create the right conditions, combining trust, openness, and reciprocity, collaboration can thrive, even in sectors traditionally resistant to change. We hope these learnings inspire others to embrace similar approaches and continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible. In this we are extremely grateful to Oxford Brookes Business School for joining and capturing the journey