Ulster University’s Centre for Legal Technology is partnering with the Labour Relations Agency and TalkTerms to develop groundbreaking AI solutions for mass case management pilot
In a major step towards modernising mass case management, Ulster University’s Centre for Legal Technology (CLT) has announced a pioneering partnership pilot with the Labour Relations Agency (LRA) and Northern Ireland legal technology startup, TalkTerms. This initiative will focus on developing cutting-edge solutions to manage the unprecedented case volumes arising from the Agnew-related underpayment of holiday pay claims.
The LRA currently faces a backlog of more than 250,000 registered cases, with 30,000 anticipated claimants, creating an urgent need for innovative, scalable technology solutions. This pilot collaboration aims to address these challenges, leveraging technology to improve efficiency, reduce processing times, and improve system efficiencies.
John Keers BL, Director of the Centre for Legal Technology at Ulster University commented:
“This partnership highlights how academic expertise, public sector leadership, and entrepreneurial agility can come together to deliver real societal impact. We are passionate about solving complex challenges through innovation, and this project is a significant step towards transforming digital dispute resolution.”
For the Labour Relations Agency, this pilot partnership represents a critical opportunity to enhance long-term operational resilience.
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Mark McAllister, Chief Executive of the LRA, said:
“The sheer scale of the miscalculated holiday pay claims means we must rethink our approach to case management. By working with Ulster University and TalkTerms, we are building the capabilities needed to deliver our services more effectively and sustainably into the future.”
Gary Lyons, CEO of TalkTerms, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating:
“We are honoured to partner with the Centre for Legal Technology at Ulster University and the LRA to showcase how our platform can revolutionise dispute resolution. This initiative allows us to scale our technology responsibly, ensuring it not only meets business needs but also contributes to the greater good by streamlining access to justice, enhancing public sector services and in using our “Swift Care” platform to harness technology for meaningful societal impact.”
Ulster University’s Centre for Legal Technology aims to be at the heart of the community, driving impactful research that benefits society and transforms industries. This partnership aligns with the University’s vision to lead in technological innovation while enhancing impactful outcomes for the people of Northern Ireland.
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