How the UK Legal Tech Market Consolidation is Impacting Law Firms

Over the past few years, legal practice management software providers in the UK have been swept up in a wave of acquisitions. A handful of large companies now control most of the market. These acquisitions have streamlined operations for the aggregators—but for law firms, they often mean higher costs, forced migrations, and diminished service. 

This upheaval has left firms at a crossroads. Stick with existing platforms? Or break away to explore more flexible, customer-centric solutions? Many are choosing the latter, deciding to look elsewhere for their legal practice management software. 

In this article, we’ll unpack the drivers behind this consolidation, the challenges it has created for UK law firms, and how firms can regain control over their tech stack. 

A brief overview on legal tech market consolidation 

The UK legal tech market has evolved significantly over the past five years. Four major companies—ATI Global, Dye & Durham, Advanced, and Access Group—now dominate the practice management and case management software landscape.  

ATI Global has been one of the most aggressive players in terms of acquisitions. They control platforms like SOS, Linetime, Leap, Practice Evolve, and Smokeball. Many of these acquisitions have resulted in sharp price increases, reduced customer support, and stalled product development.  

SOS, for example, once cost firms around £30–£40 per user. After successive price hikes under ATI Global’s ownership, costs have ballooned to over £200 per user. Customers also report poor transparency and difficulty migrating away, making ATI Global a prime example of consolidation gone wrong. 

Dye & Durham, another key player, has followed a similar path. Their acquisition of respected providers Insight and Quill triggered immediate price hikes, doubling or tripling fees for many customers. Firms unwilling to bundle unrelated services, like Dye & Durham’s search tools, found themselves facing even steeper costs. This approach has led some of Insight and Quill’s largest customers to switch to alternatives like Actionstep, seeking stability and fair pricing. 

Not all consolidators have acted so aggressively. Advanced, which owns systems like Partner for Windows (P4W) and ALB, has made fewer drastic changes. However, their focus on legacy systems has left many firms questioning their platforms’ long-term viability. Similarly, Access Group, the owner of DPS and Proclaim, has largely avoided disruptive practices but remains tied to aging, on-premise solutions with limited innovation. 

Consolidation often promises efficiency and scale. However, the reality for many firms has been frustration and uncertainty. Price volatility, poor customer service, and a lack of development have forced firms to reconsider their options. For law practices caught in this wave, the question is no longer whether they should modernize—it’s when and how. 

Why now is the time to re-evaluate your law firm’s tech 

Every day that passes without firms addressing their technology needs is a missed opportunity, and a growing risk. Whether it’s skyrocketing costs, stagnant development, or poor support from legacy providers, the price of inaction is becoming increasingly steep. 

Renewing your current platform may seem like the easier choice, but it’s often the costliest option in the long term. Many firms find themselves tied into contracts with exorbitant fees, no flexibility, and little to no innovation. Once locked in, switching becomes even harder, leaving you stuck with systems that don’t support your goals. 

Beyond financial implications, staying with a legacy provider puts your firm’s growth at risk. Many of these platforms weren’t designed to scale with modern legal practices. Whether it’s inefficiencies in workflows or a lack of integrations with essential tools, outdated systems can slow you down and leave you vulnerable to competitors who are more agile. 

It’s time to act. Every week you delay is another week spent using systems that actively hold your firm back.  

The good news 

Thankfully, it’s not all bad news. Many UK-based firms have switched over to alternative providers like Actionstep and are now reaping the rewards.  

For example, one of Insight’s largest customers turned to Actionstep after facing significant price hikes and declining levels of service under Dye & Durham. So, they decided to transition over to our customer-centric, flexible solution tailored to mid-market firms. The results? Reduced costs, greater efficiency, and improved levels of customer service.  

After ATI Global repeatedly raised prices and provided little clarity on product development, another midsize firm previously using SOS chose to switch over to Actionstep. The transition not only resolved their concerns about escalating costs but also introduced them to a modern, cloud-based system better suited to their operational needs. 

These firms are part of a growing wave of legal practices taking charge of their future. Actionstep’s flexibility and customer-centric approach, with tailored solutions, transparent pricing, and long-term support, make it an attractive choice for those disillusioned with legacy providers.  

But don’t just take our word for it. As Paul Sams, Managing Partner at Dutton Gregory Solicitors, said: “Out of all of the systems the team here saw they gave it [Actionstep] the highest rating by some distance. Its adaptability, ease of use and cutting-edge technology placed it head and shoulders above other systems we saw.” 

Looking ahead 

Increased consolidation in the UK legal tech market has negatively impacted firms, leading to higher costs, declining support, and outdated systems. Sound familiar? If so, it’s time for a new approach. 

By stepping away from your legacy provider and partnering with a solution like Actionstep, you can reduce costs while simultaneously gaining a better service. It’s a no-brainer.  

Book a demo to begin your journey.