The LegalTech in Leeds Hackathon has fast become a key fixture in the region’s innovation calendar. As the LegalTech ecosystem in Leeds continues to grow, this event brings together diverse voices from across law, technology, academia and the wider professional community, creating space for experimentation, shared learning and solution-building.
Hackathons play a valuable role in this ecosystem. Globally, companies such as Microsoft, HSBC, Meta, and PwC regularly use hackathons to spark innovation and explore new ideas with reduced risk. Notable outputs from hackathons have included the original version of GroupMe (later acquired by Skype), and early iterations of tools used in Slack and Zapier.
It is against this backdrop that the LegalTech in Leeds Hackathon provides regional legal and tech talent with the chance to collaborate, test ideas and accelerate innovation.
Event overview
Held in Leeds and hosted by Whitecap Consulting alongside Bruntwood SciTech, the 2025 event welcomed participants from London, Manchester, Nottingham, Winchester and across Yorkshire.
Julian Wells, Director at Whitecap, opened the day by setting the scene, highlighting the importance of structured environments for innovation and the power of cross-sector collaboration. He spoke to the growing maturity of the LegalTech ecosystem in Leeds and the continued demand for spaces that allow ideas to move from concept to prototype at pace.
Teams worked intensively throughout the day, supported by experienced mentors from across legal, technology and consulting. The results were a set of well-developed, user-focused solutions presented to a judging panel in the afternoon.
Highlights from the day
Winning team: rradar, All Sure Events
A digital tool to help event organisers understand and act on their responsibilities under Martyn’s Law. The platform brings together key legal guidance, checklists and templates in one place to improve compliance and safety.
People’s Vote winner: Thomson Reuters, Guided Justice
An intake tool that helps individuals communicate their legal issues clearly via structured questioning and document upload. Designed to support faster, more confident triage by legal professionals.
Barrister Link, LegallyFYP
An AI assistant created to help university students access reliable legal information on housing, visas, healthcare and student rights. Developed in collaboration with Yorkshire universities.
The University of Law, Alumen
An AI screening tool that supports people experiencing domestic abuse in understanding whether they may be eligible for legal aid. Designed to simplify complex legal language and support both clients and solicitors.
The day concluded with informal networking, discussion and reflection. The buzz in the room remained high well into the evening, a reflection of the energy and connection that days like this create.
Looking ahead
LegalTech in Leeds, launched by Whitecap in 2022, has created a platform that connects firms, corporates, scaleups, and education partners across the North, and we’re keen to continue to push the boundaries and drive growth thorough innovation.
Events like this show how the right mix of challenge, structure and collaboration can unlock ideas with real potential. At Whitecap, we believe innovation flourishes when ecosystems are nurtured, and hackathons are one of the most effective ways to bring this to life in a focused, practical way.
If your organisation is exploring a new area, or looking to accelerate thinking on a particular challenge, a hackathon-style approach might be the right fit. We can help you design and deliver a session tailored to your objectives, from strategic framing through to mentoring, delivery and follow-up.
Get in touch to find out how Whitecap can support your organisation to innovate, collaborate and deliver.