Why Matter Puts the Client Work at the Centre
AI Promises, Legal Costs, and a Missed Opportunity: Why Matter by Legavee Puts Client Work at the Centre
A recent article in the Financial Times titled Law firm clients seek clarity on AI’s potential to cut costs highlights a growing disconnect in the legal sector: while law firms are embracing generative AI, clients are not seeing the cost savings they expected. Rates continue to rise, and the traditional billable hour remains deeply entrenched. As BT’s General Counsel, Jeff Langlands, put it: “We’ve not seen that ‘compare and contrast’, and that’s, for me, really quite an important next step.”
At Legavee, we agree. Legal services are overdue for transformation - but not just through experimental tools or internal efficiencies. True innovation happens when the client is at the centre, not sidelined by closed systems and vague promises.
That’s why we’re building Matter: a product that doesn’t just improve how law firms operate, but reimagines how legal services are delivered and experienced - by clients.
The Problem: AI Is Being Adopted, But Clients Remain in the Dark
The FT article makes it clear: although AI is being used for tasks such as document review, legal research, and due diligence, clients are not benefitting from reduced fees or faster turnaround times. There is little visibility, little accountability, and almost no consistency.
Law firms may be investing in AI, but those gains are often absorbed internally - either as cost-saving for the firm or as justification for additional fees. Clients are left with more questions than answers. What was automated? What was billed manually? Where was AI used? Where was it not?
Our Response: Bringing the Client Back to the Centre
At Legavee, we have a different approach. Matter is not just a tool for legal teams - it’s a shared platform where clients and legal professionals work together in a transparent, structured, and AI-enabled environment.
Built for Visibility
Matter provides a single workspace where everyone can see the progress of a legal matter in real time - documents, tasks, AI assistance, and timelines. Clients are no longer kept at arm’s length. They know where value is being delivered and where automation is saving time.
AI at Every Stage
Whereas most legal teams are deploying AI in isolated tasks, Matter uses AI throughout the lifecycle of a legal matter - from intake and triage to document drafting, communication, and negotiation. It is not a bolt-on. It is the foundation.
Responsible, Transparent AI
Every AI-generated action is tracked and auditable. Clients can see exactly what was done, which tools were used, and how data was handled. That means no black-box decisions and no hidden costs.
Clients Shouldn’t Have to Push for Change
In the FT article, Suffolk University’s Andrew Perlman notes that clients are now in a strong position to influence how law firms adopt AI and bill for their services. We believe they shouldn’t have to push for it - it should be designed into the process from day one.
Matter gives clients what they’ve been asking for: transparency, control, and measurable value. It’s legal tech that actually makes legal work better - for the people paying for it.
Final Thought
As Veta Richardson of the Association of Corporate Counsel rightly put it, “If you’re using technology, what does that mean for fees?” That’s the question every legal client is now asking.
At Legavee, we think the answer should be obvious, practical, and client-friendly. With Matter, it is.
If you’re a general counsel, legal ops leader, or a law firm ready to work differently, we’d love to show you what we’re building.
We want to make Matter the AI co-worker, at the centre of the work, so solicitors can practice law, lower client bills, and widen access to justice.
References
FT Article: Law firm clients seek clarity on AI's potential to cut costs