The future of legal tech in 2026: predictions from the LSSA
Members of the Legal Software Suppliers Association (LSSA) met in London to discuss the fast-moving future of legal technology and to share their predictions for how AI will shape the sector in 2026. What followed was a candid and wide-ranging discussion about consumer expectations, data readiness, cultural resistance and the pace of already reshaping legal services. The themes below reflect the collective insight from that session.
Automation becomes unavoidable
Rob Gurney, MD of Ochresoft, set the tone with a frank assessment of the widening gap between client expectations and current legal processes.
“Expectation and reality are going like this and the only thing that’s going to make legal services fit for consumer expectations again is automation. We can’t carry on as we are. If something gives us the ability to completely change the process and make it as instant as possible, we’d be crazy not to embrace it.”
He added:
“If you looked at models 6 months ago and found them not fit for purpose, don’t let that cloud your judgement. These things are moving on a weekly basis.”
AI will increasingly handle first contact with clients
Oliver Tromp, UK VP of Actionstep, highlighted the rise of AI-powered reception tools and the speed advantage they offer.
“AI receptionists might sound strange, but, if they work at the level of ChatGPT voice mode and can understand legal jargon, clients will get what they want – speed. Call on Saturday, and a lawyer can return the call at 8:30am Monday already knowing everything you’ve said.”
He added:
“The client is changing really fast.”
Concerns about hallucination are fading
Worries about AI hallucinations are decreasing as legal-specific models mature.
Rob Gurney again said:
“This whole fascination with hallucinations comes from off-the-shelf, general products. If you use the right agents, the right models, the right sources, with strong prompt engineering, we don’t see hallucinations.”
Mindset, not technology, is the real barrier
A recurring theme expressed by members was cultural resistance within the profession.
“We had really good systems ten years ago and still only five percent of people used them. Without legislation, lawyers will always default to what they know.”
“The home-buying system is designed around traditional thinking. AI is now showing we could do this a completely different way.”
Rob Gurney, Ochresoft adds:
“Even if you’ve got the most efficient lawyer in the world doing everything autonomously, it won’t change the chain unless everyone adopts the same model. The barrier is mindset.”
Data readiness will determine who succeeds
Many firms want AI, but their data is not yet suitable.
“Firms want to adopt AI, but their data isn’t ready. They’ve been on the same system for twenty years. It’s messy, in multiple sources, and the architecture can’t be interrogated properly by AI.”
Faster transactions could help the wider economy
Members noted that simplifying property transactions has benefits far beyond conveyancing.
“If moving house were easy, we’d do it more often. It takes eight or eleven years before people forget how awful the last move was. Fixing this stimulates the economy.”
Examples such as Singapore and Georgia show that streamlined, digitally driven approaches are possible.
Humans remain essential, but the role changes
Rob Gurney emphasised that AI is not about removing lawyers.
“I’m not saying we take people out of the transaction. Their focus shifts to the service proposition because the underlying technology will do most of the heavy lifting.”
Summary from LSSA CEO Kevin Horlock
Kevin Horlock, CEO of the LSSA, summarised the session:
“The message from our members is clear: AI is now central to the future of legal services – it’s not a peripheral innovation. Firms that prepare their data, modernise their systems and embrace the expectations of today’s clients will lead the market. Our role at the LSSA is to help guide the industry through this transition and ensure technology strengthens, rather than disrupts, legal practice.”
