In July, the Legal Services Board (LSB) joined forces with the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) to host the North East Board Engagement Event in Newcastle on Thursday 16 July 2026. The event brought together a wide range of people to talk about one thing in particular: how small businesses experience legal issues, and what more could be done to help them. Small businesses are the engine of sustainable growth after all.
The event was a good example of what the LSB does best – using its convening power to bring together relevant people to think about system-wide change in the interests of all.
A roundtable discussion followed by a wider panel session gave participants plenty to get their teeth into. Both sessions were rooted in early findings from our Small Business Legal Needs Survey 2026/27, due to be published in the Autumn. (See the infographic below). This survey will highlight just 13% of small businesses in the North East have in-house legal capability. And 15% have a contract with a legal provider, yet 36% experience at least one legal issue a year with most turning to business friends or family rather than independent advice.
A few themes stood out.
Spotting legal problems before they become problems
Small businesses are often good at being proactive on things like GDPR, but many other legal risks go unnoticed – sometimes because the legal dimension of a decision isn’t obvious until it’s a contentious legal issue. Attendees felt there was real value in building legal awareness into the places business owners already go early on in a business’ life: growth programmes, grant schemes, existing business support. Practical case studies showing common “bear traps” came up more than once as a way to make this land.
People want to talk to people
There was strong agreement small businesses want clarity and confidence, and most would rather have a conversation than wade through information in documents alone. A few attendees drew useful comparisons with financial services, where ongoing proactive relationships with IFAs and bank managers and alike and are the norm. Cost was flagged as a real barrier and even a short conversation with a legal professional can feel like an expense worth avoiding – which puts people off getting help early. Better signposting, plainer language and more predictable pricing models were all suggested as ways to close that gap.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has a role to play – but trust comes first
Unsurprisingly, AI featured heavily. Participants could see its potential as a first port of call: helping people understand a problem, weigh up their options, and find the right support faster, including in mediation. But the room was clear that trust, safeguards and consumer protection have to come with it – including support for AI built in the UK, for the UK. Confidence depends on tools being reliable, transparent and genuinely designed around what consumers need. This is exactly the territory our AI Plan will address.
Slow justice shapes decisions
Long tribunal waiting times came up as a real influence on how businesses behave – some settle earlier than they’d like simply because delay isn’t worth the wait. It’s a reminder of why timely, proportionate routes to resolution matter so much.
The North East’s networks are doing a lot of the work already
One of the clearest messages of the day: the existing professional services networks in the region – accountants, lawyers, advisers working together – are already doing a good job of supporting local businesses. The challenge is less about building something new and more about making the most of what’s there and creating more informal opportunities for small businesses to meet legal professionals before a problem forces the issue.
Our thanks to NECC and everyone who joined us in Newcastle for such an open, practical and solutions focussed discussion. This kind of conversation helps us understand what’s really going on for small businesses and what we can do about it.
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