In a move set to reshape the UK’s legal landscape, AI-driven lawtech company Lawhive has acquired Woodstock Legal Services, marking what is believed to be the first time an artificial intelligence company has taken over a regulated law firm in the UK. 

The acquisition, confirmed yesterday, signals a significant step forward in the integration of AI into legal service delivery. Lawhive, which raised close to £40 million in funding last year, is positioning itself at the forefront of a profession that is increasingly turning to automation and machine learning to improve both speed and efficiency. 

Tech Meets Tradition 

Founded in 2014, Woodstock Legal Services operates a consultancy-based model and specialises in property law and conveyancing. It will now serve as Lawhive’s entry point into the regulated legal sector, enabling the company to expand its consumer-facing legal services with a blend of solicitor-led advice and AI-powered support. 

Central to Lawhive’s offering is its in-house AI assistant, Lawrence, designed to handle a broad range of tasks traditionally carried out by paralegals or junior lawyers. These include document drafting, legal research, and case management. In 2023, Legal Cheek reported that Lawrence had achieved a 74% score on the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), underlining its potential as a viable assistant in legal processes. 

Since that milestone, Lawhive has drawn significant attention from investors. Notably, Google Ventures, the venture capital arm of Alphabet, committed £9.5 million to support its vision for transforming legal services through technology. 

Real-World Rollout 

The newly announced partnership will see Lawhive’s technology deployed in Woodstock’s practice areas, particularly in conveyancing, a space often plagued by administrative delays and complex documentation. 

Lawhive currently operates across 12 consumer law practice areas, including family, civil litigation, and property. According to the company, its AI capabilities free lawyers from routine administrative burdens and allow them to focus more time on client strategy and case outcomes. 

Co-founder and CEO Pierre Proner described the move as a natural next step in Lawhive’s evolution. “We believe that Lawhive’s vertically integrated model of a regulated law firm and tech platform for lawyers to work alongside AI colleagues creates better outcomes for everyone,” he said. 

For Carly Jermyn, founder of Woodstock Legal Services, the appeal lies in scaling with purpose. 

 “This partnership is about scaling our vision with the right kind of technology. AI that enhances our skills and values, rather than eroding them,” she said. 

A Broader Shift Underway 

Lawhive says the acquisition is emblematic of a wider shift in the legal profession — where lawyers are increasingly rethinking how they work, clients are demanding greater efficiency and transparency, and AI is becoming an indispensable tool. 

The firm's growth underscores a broader movement within the profession: a drive to harness technology not to replace human lawyers, but to augment their abilities, streamline services, and ultimately deliver a more client-focused experience. 

With this acquisition, Lawhive may be setting a precedent for how legal services will be structured and delivered in the years to come.