Garfield.law is in — and the legal world just changed.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has just authorised Garfield.law, making it the first AI-driven company to operate as an alternative business structure (ABS) in the legal industry.

This isn’t just a rubber stamp. It’s a major milestone. For the first time, AI is not just supporting legal work — it’s stepping into the regulated world of providing legal services directly to clients.

Garfield AI’s authorisation is gaining lots of media attention right now, and for good reason. It shows that regulators are starting to back AI as a way to make legal advice more accessible and affordable, especially for consumers who often feel priced out of traditional legal help.

Why this matters (and why we’re excited at WhatsLaw)

At WhatsLaw, we’re building for businesses who face legal questions every day.

• How do I draft a consultancy agreement?

• Are these contract terms risky?

• What should I push back on in this supplier deal?

• How do I make sure my founders’ agreement is fair and clear?

Right now, unless you’re paying for a lawyer or spending hours googling legal templates (and hoping for the best), the answers aren’t always easy to find.

Our mission is to change that.

We believe that AI can help business owners and decision makers get clear, fast, pragmatic legal support — without becoming 'glorified lawyers' themselves.

But doing this right, especially in areas like contract negotiation and risk guidance, takes time.
Not just to build the tech, but to make sure it is:

• Accurate

• Reliable

• Easy to use

• Trusted by users and (eventually) regulators

The fact that Garfield AI has crossed that regulatory line first is really encouraging. It shows that if AI is built carefully and responsibly, regulators are willing to back it.

What comes next — and where we fit in

Garfield AI’s focus right now is on consumers and more routine legal queries. That’s a great place to start.

But we believe the next big opportunity — and challenge — is in helping businesses navigate contracts and negotiations.

That means AI that doesn’t just generate boilerplate documents, but actually:

• Guides you through what to agree and what to push back on

• Flags risky or unfair terms

• Suggests alternative wording during negotiations

• Tracks milestones and obligations so deals don’t get forgotten after signing

That’s where we’re heading at WhatsLaw.
It’s a longer journey, but every step like today’s Garfield AI news makes that destination feel closer.

Final thought

Let’s be real — it is AI vs lawyers now.

With the SRA approving Garfield AI, the game has officially started. AI isn’t just assisting lawyers anymore — it’s stepping into the ring to provide legal services directly.

That’s why we’re so energised at WhatsLaw. We’re building towards a world where smart, accessible AI can help businesses navigate contracts and negotiations without needing to hire a lawyer for every single step.

The future is here.
It’s game on.

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