Barcelona. Credit: Shutterstock

A group of institutions, law firm, corporations and start-ups across Europe have launched a legal technology hub in Barcelona.

Global LegalTech Hub, which was launched last week, includes firms such as Deloitte Legal, Cuatrecasas and Roca Junyent alongside institutions such as the University of Barcleona and start-ups such as Bigle Legal, Validated ID and Signaturit.

In total, 19 entities across the industry have joined together to found the hub, which they say is the first of its kind in Europe.

The initiative aims to unite different groups across the legal sector to encourage and strengthen digital transformation in the legal space on a global scale, according to a statement.

Laura Urquizu, CEO of start-up Red Points, an IP infringement detector, was chosen as the hub's first president.

Francesc Muñoz, chief information officer of Cuatrecasas, commented: "The LegalTech Hub will be an essential place of union between companies, law firms and startups to innovate in the streamlining of their legal processes."

"The work starts now. We're facing a white canvas that we need to start painting."

Last year, Magic Circle and U.S. firms Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, Linklaters and Latham & Watkins joined forces to found a new data automation consortium, aimed at addressing legal inefficiencies in financial market transactions.