A pioneering commercial law firm has begun a partnership with academic digital transformation experts to harness generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in delivering legal services. A three-year government-funded knowledge transfer partnership between Harper James and Aston University aims to develop an 'intelligent legal services platform' to assist lawyers working with SME clients. The system will automate processes such project scoping, proposals contracting and client onboarding.

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According to an announcement by the university, the project will develop novel AI models to analyse and learn from legal services data. The intelligent platform will be capable of tracking and learning from past cases to assist with forecasting the range of outcomes and potential legal procedures involved in future projects. 

Harper James was founded in 2014 by commercial law specialist Toby Harper. The Birmingham-based firm, known for its remote-working practices and subscription model, has more than 100 staff, including 85 lawyers, operating from eight offices. 

Harper said: ’The innovation developed through this project with Aston University is a fundamental pillar that will set us apart from the rest of the legal services sector. It will allow our lawyers to focus on delivering exceptional value to clients, who will receive advice and support faster, more efficiently, and with even greater pricing transparency.

Professor Abdul Sadka, director of Aston’s Sir Peter Rigby Digital Futures Institute, said: 'By working in partnership, we can extend our specialist knowledge and expertise while being a solution provider to ambitious businesses like Harper James, enabling them to overcome digital challenges faced along their growth and innovation journeys.'

Knowledge transfer partnerships, funded by Innovate UK, are collaborations between a business, a university and a highly qualified research associate. The UK-wide programme helps businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills.