Just 4% of in-house lawyers feel their legal teams are "fit for purpose" when it comes to how well prepared their technology abilities are, new research shows.

U.K. top 50 firm Irwin Mitchell surveyed 113 in-house lawyers about 16 business areas including technology, KPIs, succession planning and their relationship with their company's board.

The group was asked how prepared they feel they are to face the demands and challenges of their businesses in 2025. Respondents felt the least prepared around tech (4%), while just 6% of respondents felt processes within the legal team were up to standard.

Meanwhile, 38% of those surveyed identified technology as a characteristic that most in-house teams need to change going forward.

Stuart Padgham, partner and head of commercial at Irwin Mitchell, said in a statement as part of the report: "There is an expectation that technology will solve many of the problems created by an ever more complex working environment, but of equal importance is the need to develop the business skills and operating model of in-house teams so that they can deliver the services that their businesses require."

Another key factor identified in the report as a consideration for in-house teams looking towards the next five years was how they are perceived and the different roles they can encompass. It found the majority of those surveyed want to be seen as "a real partner to their business, rather than a cost", gain representation on the company's board, and to provide commercial input, not just firefighting.

In-house teams and GCs have been highlighting the importance of taking on a wider role in their businesses for some time. Last year, Luton Airport's GC Swati Paul described the role as sales focused, advising others to "go beyond what is the law" if they want to be seen as a business partner.