Legaltech start up Orbital Witness wins backing from JLL Spark

The round includes grant funding for research and product development through Innovate UK’s industrial strategy challenge fund, which is aimed at transforming legal services.

'Orbital Witness is a prime example of how technology is solving challenges in real estate and moving the industry forward,' said Mihir Shah, co-CEO, JLL Spark.

'Legal assessments of land and property are critical, but today, they are also very complicated and time consuming. Orbital Witness is automating the process by combining property data and user-driven analysis to pinpoint risks. We are leveraging the expertise and reach of JLL to help the Orbital Witness team refine and scale its offering,' added Shah.

Ed Boulle, co-founder and CEO of Orbital Witness said: 'Real estate is the most valuable asset class there is. Everyone involved in a real estate deal should therefore have visibility of any red flag legal issues with the property ahead of time.'

Will Pearce, co-founder and chief operating officer added: 'We believe the answer lies in automated legal risk profiles - like a credit check, but for land and property - allowing lawyers and their clients to instantly access an upfront, low cost view on a property before progressing a deal.'

The company, which ran its first pilot less than one year ago, said its early adopters already included real estate teams across a number of leading law firms, including Mishcon de Reya, Clifford Chance, Reed Smith and Macfarlanes.

The company has also recently launched its first product for in-house teams with retail giant Marks & Spencer, and is working with Lockton Companies LLP, providers of insurance solutions.