On 19 June, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published new research revealing that while sole practitioners and small law firms in England and Wales are eager to adopt new technology, significant barriers continue to hinder uptake.
A survey, conducted by Thinks Insight & Strategy, involved around 150 solicitors and eight technology providers through interviews, workshops and surveys. It found that 82% of respondents believe technology can help deliver better value to consumers, yet only 4% felt there were no barriers to adoption. Key concerns include high costs, uncertainty over finding suitable products, lack of pricing transparency, and fears of investing in tools that may quickly become obsolete — with 72% expressing concerns about futureproofing.
More than half of participants reported difficulty identifying the right technology for their needs, describing either an overwhelming “wild west” of options or a lack of appropriate solutions. Firms serving individual consumers, especially vulnerable or hard-to-reach clients, found supporting them with technology more challenging than those serving business clients. Respondents called for more assistance from technology providers to bridge this gap.
While awareness of established tools like accounting and case management software was nearly universal (99%), adoption of artificial intelligence remains modest at 14%, with many firms seeking clearer guidance on safe implementation.
SRA Chief Executive Paul Philip warned of the risk of smaller firms falling behind as the pace of legal technology adoption accelerates. He emphasised that small firms are vital gateways to legal services, particularly in local communities, and that unlocking their capacity to innovate is essential for improving access to justice.
The SRA’s Innovate programme continues to offer events and resources to help legal professionals make informed decisions about technology adoption.