Tech incubator CodeBase is bringing its LawTech Bridge programme to Scotland with a launch event in Edinburgh this month.
The initiative - a partnership with Barclays Ventures - aims to foster collaborations between law firms and start-ups by creating a forum where tech professionals can discuss innovations that can help the legal profession.
Many legal firms want to harness technology to improve their services and efficiency but either don't have the time or know where to start looking among the many start-ups catering to their sector.
CodeBase’s chief strategy officer and LawTech Bridge lead Steven Drost said: “LawTech Bridge breaks down the barriers between law firms and start-ups and provides a forum to discuss the technological advances and innovation that are needed to future-proof law and Scotland's economy.
"Meetups are in the DNA of the start-up community and we’re now bringing this approach and start-up thinking to the legal sector. We have already seen it start to pay dividends and we’re excited to bring the initiative to Scotland in partnership with Barclays Ventures.”
The first Scotland meetup will be at CodeBase in Edinburgh on Wednesday 27th November with keynote speaker Charlotta Cederqvist, head of business development at the Law Society for Scotland. She joins a panel featuring Miso.Legal CEO Pete Milligan, Rachel Coleman from Pinsent Masons and Amiqus CEO Callum Murray, whose legal tech startup last week announced a deal with law firm Anderson Strathern.
Drost added: “Over and above the opportunity for start-ups and legal firms to meet and network, the education piece is an important part of LawTech Bridge and we teach what we describe as a playbook around areas like product development, partnership models and culture - areas that we know need to be broached if start-ups and legal firms are to get the most out of collaboration.”
LawTech has already been a success in London, while CodeBase is delivering programmes and mentoring across 24 cities in the UK in partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs.
Chris Grant, LawTech director at Barclays Ventures, said: “We’ve already had some incredible speakers as LawTech Bridge has gone from strength to strength in London and we’re excited to now bring the initiative to Edinburgh. Overall, we can see that we are starting to build a community among lawyers and start-ups and helping to deliver real outcomes for both.”
