About us

Launched in September 2018, the Law and Technology Initiative at The University of Manchester serves as a dynamic platform between industry stakeholders, regulatory communities and academics within the Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS), Department of Computer Science and the Law School.

Alliance Manchester Business School building with shops below on Oxford Road, Manchester

As innovation changes the way legal services are delivered there is a growing knowledge gap with legal services providers increasingly need new areas of expertise. MLaTI was launched in response to requests from law firms with which the university as undertaking R&D projects to develop legal technology applications, to help them understand how technology is impacting the legal sector and how they might adapt to the new environment. The Initiative provides a trusted space in which participating stakeholders and University experts can examine some of the more challenging questions that are arising for the legal sector as a consequence of the emergence of new technologies.

MLaTI brings together practice and research to respond to challenges and facilitate opportunities in future applications and policy directions at the interface of law and technology, it has a dedicated aim to publish research and create curriculum content that is focused purely on the successful use of technology in the legal sector.

The project combines expertise from the disciplines of Law, Computer Science and Business and we have created a multi-disciplinary platform investigating legal technology and its implications on all areas of law, including social justice. Findings of the Initiative are feeding into the university’s teaching to help generate graduates better adapted to the changing requirements of the legal sector in the digital age.

The Initiative aims to stimulate technological, organisational and business innovation in the legal services sector, deliver world class research and produce future graduates with the skills to utilise technological tools and platforms within the sector. The core objectives of the Initiative are to:

  • Enhance understanding of emerging technology trends that may impact the legal services sector.
  • Support research that results in improved service provision within the legal sector and better access to justice.
  • Develop teaching related to law and technology and facilitate training for existing lawyers.
  • Provide access to our students to enhance the student experience, including via projects, placements, internships and recruitment.
  • Contribute to public policy debate on innovation in legal technologies.

Through its collaborative working, the Initiative is establishing a position as a leading voice of expertise in the Legal Technology space, it offers a platform for media and policy bodies access to a wide range of experts and closed events.