Move marks a turning point in how law firms adopt technology and AI, focusing on augmenting legal services to improve the experience for both lawyers and their clients

Lawhive has completed the first-ever acquisition of a traditional law firm by an AI-native platform, acquiring Woodstock Legal Services to strengthen its position in the UK’s legal services market.

Lawhive, an AI-native legaltech platform that raised over €43m in Seed and Series A funding last year, is acquiring Woodstock Legal Services, a consultancy-model firm known for prioritising lawyer autonomy. Woodstock’s model complements Lawhive’s vision, and this is the first acquisition designed to accelerate Lawhive’s mission to combine human expertise with intelligent technology and AI. The deal is part of an emerging trend where AI-native companies are acquiring traditional services firms to modernise operations and set new standards for the industry.

The acquisition will target the £25 billion legal market in the UK, including the £2 billion conveyancing market where administrative burdens routinely delay one of life’s biggest decisions – buying a home. Property lawyers spend hours manually filling forms and chasing documents, while stressed clients face uncertain timelines and communication constraints.

At the heart of Lawhive’s technology are AI colleagues capable of working alongside and supporting human lawyers. Lawrence, Lawhive’s first AI colleague is a proprietary AI legal assistant capable of carrying out work at the level of a paralegal or junior lawyer. Lawrence drafts documents, completes case research, and handles routine case management with minimal input – scoring 81% on the rigorous Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), far above the 55% pass threshold. The goal is not to replace lawyers, but to augment their work, reducing repetitive tasks and legal admin.

Lawrence is the first legal AI focused on the consumer market where Lawyers’ most precious commodity – time – is under mounting pressure that risks compromising service quality and job satisfaction. Lawrence handles labour-intensive administrative tasks in order to give that time back, and enables lawyers to focus on building meaningful client relationships and delivering expert advice.

“We’re demonstrating that technology can support and enhance the best aspects of legal practice while creating communities where lawyers shape how that technology evolves. 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.”

Pierre Proner, CEO and co-founder of Lawhive

Woodstock Legal Services, founded by Carly Jermyn in 2014, was created to give lawyers flexibility and control over their careers. Operating as a consultancy model law firm with over 50 regulated lawyers, the firm prioritised flexibility, open communication and genuine care for its people long before remote work made it fashionable. 

“I’ve always believed a different kind of legal culture was possible, and with Woodstock, we’ve proven it. We’ve created a place where lawyers are supported to grow their careers in a way that fits their lives and works for their clients. This partnership is about scaling that vision with the right kind of technology — AI that enhances our skills and values, rather than eroding them. What makes it unique is that our lawyers will have the opportunity to shape the tools they use every day, instead of having them imposed on them.”

Carly Jermyn

Unlike many legaltech firms that build tools for lawyers, Lawhive is vertically integrated, owning and operating a regulated law firm in the UK, where its lawyers work alongside Lawhive’s AI technology. This vertical integration means lawyers and developers work side by side, shaping legal AI’s evolution from within the profession, rather than having it imposed from the outside.

Lawrence will assist Woodstock’s lawyers by handling the paperwork that clogs most transactions such as conveyancing and litigation work. Meanwhile, Woodstock retains its brand, high calibre support structure, and community-driven ethos.

Lawhive currently helps thousands of new clients each month across 12 areas of consumer law including family law, civil litigation, and property. The AI native platform enables lawyers to complete client work up to three times faster, thereby improving the quality of service to clients and opening up more opportunities for lawyers to practice high value work and build client relationships.  

The acquisition forms part of a broader trend where lawyers are rethinking their relationship with work, clients are demanding better service, and AI is becoming an integral part of legal practice.

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About Lawhive: Founded in the UK in 2019, Lawhive is a legaltech company that uses AI to make legal services more accessible, affordable, and efficient. Its AI paralegal, Lawrence, automates time-consuming legal work, allowing lawyers to focus on high-value tasks. Lawhive has already helped tens of thousands of clients and operates in both the UK and US. For more information, visit lawhive.co.uk and lawhive.com. 

About Woodstock Legal Services: Established in 2014 and with head offices in Poole, Woodstock is a full service law firm with strengths in property law and conveyancing, dispute resolution, family law, commercial law, private client and employment matters through a consultancy model that prioritises lawyer autonomy and community. For more information visit woodstocklegalservices.co.uk