LSSA member LawNeeds reflects on its journey from beta trials to full launch

LSSA member LawNeeds has launched an AI-powered mobile app to help migrants navigate UK immigration support, combining multilingual guidance with access to regulated immigration professionals.

In this Q&A, Founder and CEO Steve Okolo discusses the inspiration behind the platform, lessons from its beta trials and how LSSA membership has supported the company’s development.

LSSA CEO Kevin Horlock says: “The LSSA is now in its thirtieth year and we’re always keen to help and promote startup businesses in the legal tech field. LawNeeds has been with us for a couple of years and Steve has been a valued member, as this Q&A session shows.”

1. How would you describe LawNeeds, who did you create it for, and what different legal support needs do migrant groups have? 

“LawNeeds is an AI-powered legal technology platform designed to make UK immigration support more accessible, understandable and easier to navigate. It combines multilingual AI guidance with access to regulated immigration professionals, helping users understand their options before deciding whether they need legal representation.

We built LawNeeds primarily for migrants living in or moving to the UK, including international students, sponsored workers, families, skilled professionals and others navigating the immigration system. Although they may all be “migrants”, their legal needs differ significantly. Someone applying for a Skilled Worker visa faces different challenges compared to someone seeking family reunion, switching immigration categories or understanding their rights after receiving permission to work.

What they often have in common is uncertainty. Many people struggle to know where to begin, which information applies to their circumstances, or when they need professional legal advice. LawNeeds was created to bridge that gap by providing trusted, accessible guidance while making it easier to connect with regulated legal professionals when personalised advice is required.”

2. What factors led you to develop LawNeeds as a mobile app, and what role does AI play within the service? 

“Accessibility was one of the biggest reasons. Most people today access services through their phones, particularly migrants who may need support while travelling, working, studying or managing family commitments. We wanted legal support to be available whenever it was needed rather than requiring someone to wait for office hours or search across multiple websites.  

AI allows us to improve both accessibility and efficiency. It helps users receive contextual information quickly through natural conversations, whether they communicate by text or voice, and supports multiple languages to reduce language barriers. Users can also upload documents and images to provide additional context during their interactions.

Importantly, AI is not intended to replace lawyers. It helps people better understand their situation, prepares them to make informed decisions and identifies when they should speak to a regulated legal professional. Where appropriate, LawNeeds enables users to connect directly with verified immigration lawyers through the platform.”

3. What did the beta trials reveal about how people use LawNeeds, and what response have you received since the full launch? 

“The beta programme reinforced something we suspected from the outset: people value clarity just as much as speed. Participants weren’t simply looking for quick answers, rather they wanted information presented in a way they could understand and act upon with confidence.

Our two pilots helped us refine everything from the user journey and multilingual support to document handling and referral pathways. User feedback directly influenced several product improvements before launch, including enhancements to the consultation booking experience, AI conversations and overall usability.

Since launching, we’ve seen encouraging engagement from early users seeking guidance across a broad range of immigration matters. It’s also been rewarding to see regulated professionals (solicitors and advisers) recognise the potential for technology to improve access to legal support while complementing, rather than replacing, their work. For us, launch is only the beginning, not the finish line, and we’re continuing to develop the app based on user and professional feedback.”

4. Why did LawNeeds join the LSSA, how has membership been useful and what role do you see the association playing as the business develops? 

“As a legal technology company, we wanted to join an organisation that understands both the opportunities and responsibilities involved in developing technology for the legal sector. The LSSA brings together organisations focused on improving legal services through innovation, making it a natural community for LawNeeds.

Our membership to date has been valuable not only through networking and industry engagement, but also through opportunities such as media exposure, which helps early-stage legal technology companies share their work with the wider legal community. Being able to learn from established organisations while contributing our own perspective as an AI-driven legal technology platform has been particularly beneficial.

Looking ahead, we see the LSSA continuing to play an important role as LawNeeds grows. As legal technology evolves rapidly, collaboration across the sector will be essential to ensure innovation develops responsibly, supports legal professionals and ultimately improves access to justice. We hope to remain an active part of those conversations as the business develops.”

Reflecting on LawNeeds’ progress, LSSA CEO Kevin Horlock says:

“Steve identified a real need for rapid advice by people struggling with the more traditional sources of legal advice. LawNeeds developed the mobile app so that users can access advice whenever and wherever they need it.

“We’re delighted to have been here to support Steve and his dedicated team and we look forward to working with them all for many years to come.”