Norton Rose Fulbright wins Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Europe Award for ‘Innovation in Strategic Direction’

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has been recognised for 'Innovation in Strategic Direction' at the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Europe Awards 2026.

Norton Rose Fulbright won this award for its programme to transform the firm for an AI-driven future. While much of the legal sector is focused on using AI to enhance existing ways of working, the firm is investing in the capability to create entirely new products, services and ventures. The result is more than the modernisation of a law firm; it is the emergence of a new model for delivering client value, unlocking growth and shaping the future of legal services.

The programme combines enterprise data foundations, responsible AI adoption and a dedicated research and development capability. It provides a repeatable route for identifying emerging technologies and client needs, rapidly testing potential applications, and turning the strongest opportunities into scalable commercial offerings. A firmwide innovation network supports responsible adoption and helps embed this capability across the business.

These offerings include AI-enabled regulatory solutions, commercial legal technology products, legal operations and technology consulting for in-house legal teams, and new approaches to legal service delivery. The firm has also formed a joint venture with SC Ventures, the innovation and technology arm of Standard Chartered, to develop RegWise, a regulatory compliance solution for the financial services sector.

The firm was also commended in the 'Practice of Law' category for its work advising a syndicate of 12 lenders on the financing of SkyNRG's DSL-01 sustainable aviation fuel plant. The Amsterdam-led, multi-jurisdictional team structured and negotiated a complex, multi-source project financing for the landmark European facility.

Peter Scott, Global Managing Partner and Managing Partner, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific, Norton Rose Fulbright, commented:

"Winning this award is a fantastic achievement and reflects the breadth of innovation across our firm. We are using data, AI and technology not only to transform how we operate and deliver legal services, but also to create new products, services and business models. This includes forming new partnerships and ventures that combine our legal and regulatory expertise with complementary technology and commercial capabilities. These awards recognise the deep experience, ambition and collaboration of colleagues across our business."

Norton Rose Fulbright was also recognised as one of the 15 most innovative law firms in Europe in this year's FT Innovative Lawyers report.