When Garfield.AI was launched earlier this year, it was billed as a first-of-its-kind. The only fully regulated law firm in England and Wales built entirely on artificial intelligence.
Just a few months on, it has not only found a foothold in the legal market but has uncovered a surprising trend – lawyers are using it to collect debts owed to their own firms.
Philip Young, solicitor and founder of Garfield.AI, says around 60% of firms using his platform are chasing debts of £10,000 or less from their own clients, rather than acting for external clients.
“City firms and high street practices alike have those awkward, low-value debts sitting on the books,” Young explained.
“They’re often seen as an annoyance rather than a priority. Garfield takes that burden away.”
From Landmark Authorisation to Real-world Adoption
The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s decision to authorise Garfield in May was described at the time as a “landmark moment for legal services.” It gave the green light to a model that delivers legal services entirely via an AI-powered litigation assistant. No human lawyer is required to draft the initial correspondence.
Accessible via a simple interface, Garfield can be white-labelled for law firms or used directly by businesses. The costs are minimal - £2 for a polite chaser letter, £7.50 for a formal letter before action. That affordability has attracted a wide mix of users, from sole traders to large corporations.
Non-lawyers now make up the majority of Garfield’s user base. Accountants are signing up, and medical consultants are using the service to recover unpaid treatment costs, often when insurance hasn’t covered the full bill.
“Doctors tend to take the gentlest approach possible,” said Young.
“They always send chaser letters before moving to legal action.”
Built for the Firms That Need It Most
For Young, who has a long track record as a commercial litigator, accessibility was a guiding principle. He wanted Garfield to be a tool that high street firms could deploy without the cost or complexity of developing their own AI systems. Many of the law firms now using the platform don’t have dedicated debt recovery teams.
The system isn’t designed for every type of claim. Cases needing detailed cost assessments aren’t a good fit, but for fixed-fee recoveries, the technology is proving efficient.
Early Wins and Biggers Ambitions
Garfield issued its first claim forms at the end of July. Some debts have already been settled as a direct result. The reaction from the legal profession, Young admits, has been more positive than he expected.
“Lawyers are often thought of as conservative and resistant to change.
“But most of the feedback has been encouraging and supportive. I think that’s because lawyers care about justice, and they can see this addresses a real problem.”
Those conversations have reinforced his belief that AI tools are better designed and deployed by lawyers themselves, rather than left to outside tech developers.
“AI is coming into every sector. If we shape it ourselves, we can ensure it serves the profession and the public interest.”
Judges Take Notice
It’s not only lawyers showing interest. Young says members of the judiciary have responded with enthusiasm when shown Garfield’s capabilities. Judges see potential in the platform’s ability to help litigants in person present their cases more effectively, ultimately saving court time.
One senior judge even suggested it could shift corporate behaviour.
“Some companies act the way they do because they know most people won’t pursue a claim,” Young recalled.
“If people could enforce their rights easily, it could influence executive decision-making at the highest level.”
The Road Ahead
In the coming months, Garfield plans to expand into landlord and tenant disputes, as well as loan-related debts. Accountancy firms will also be brought in “in greater numbers” to collect their own outstanding fees, with new features tailored to suit their needs.