Stephen Dowling (TrialView): 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Stephen Dowling SC is a distinguished barrister and the founder and CEO of TrialView, an innovative legal technology platform transforming dispute resolution using artificial intelligence. With over two decades of experience as a senior counsel specializing in commercial litigation, Dowling has leveraged his deep legal expertise to create TrialView, a sophisticated AI-powered tool that supports legal teams in managing, preparing, and presenting cases efficiently. Esteemed by top law firms globally, Dowling stands at the forefront of integrating technology and law, spearheading advancements that enhance access to justice and streamline complex litigation processes. This article explores ten insightful facets about Stephen Dowling and his influential work with TrialView.

1. Legal Expertise Spanning Over 20 Years

Stephen Dowling has practiced law for more than two decades, primarily as Senior Counsel in the Four Courts, Dublin. His specialization includes complex commercial litigation fields such as insolvency, arbitration, and financial regulation. This extensive legal background underpins his practical understanding of the challenges law practitioners face, directly informing the development of TrialView. His dual role as a practicing barrister and tech innovator lends credibility and insight to his approach in legal technology.

2. Founding TrialView: A Vision Born from Litigation Experience

TrialView was founded by Dowling to address inefficiencies in litigation preparation and courtroom presentation. His firsthand experience in high-stakes disputes illuminated the need for a platform that could centralize case information and streamline workflows. TrialView’s creation bridges the gap between traditional law practice and contemporary technological solutions, offering an AI-powered environment designed to make case management and evidence presentation intuitive and effective.

3. TrialView’s Role in Revolutionizing Legal Disputes

TrialView is an award-winning legal tech platform widely adopted by 15 of the UK's top 20 law firms. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools, including smart document analysis, timeline construction, evidence tagging, and seamless video integration for virtual or hybrid hearings. Dowling's leadership has propelled TrialView as a game changer in the field, helping legal teams reduce time spent on administrative tasks and focus on strategy and advocacy.

4. Harnessing AI to Enhance Litigation Efficiency

The core innovation in Dowling's TrialView lies in its extensive use of artificial intelligence. The platform employs AI to sift through voluminous electronic evidence—including emails, text messages, and videos—rapidly identifying relevant patterns, inconsistencies, or contradictions. This capability means one or two lawyers equipped with TrialView's AI tools can perform work that previously required teams of ten or twenty, dramatically increasing productivity and reducing legal costs.

5. Commitment to Transparent and Reliable AI

Stephen Dowling emphasizes the importance of responsible AI use. TrialView is designed with guardrails to ensure lawyers can always trace AI-generated insights back to their original sources. This transparency mitigates concerns about AI inaccuracies, ensuring that users can verify every fact before presentation in court. Dowling advocates for careful, controlled deployment of AI within the justice system to preserve fairness and accuracy.

6. TrialView’s Impact on Access to Justice

Dowling has publicly discussed how AI-driven tools like TrialView can improve access to justice, especially for disadvantaged groups. By lowering the costs and duration of litigation through technology, TrialView can help deliver faster, more affordable resolutions. During interviews—including one with the BBC—he highlighted this transformative potential, underscoring how AI tools could support the legal system in managing backlogs and delivering timely judgments.

7. Recent $4.1 Million Investment to Expand Global Reach

In November 2025, TrialView secured $4.1 million in a funding round led by Elkstone Ventures to accelerate growth and enhance its AI capabilities. This investment will assist TrialView in expanding beyond the UK and Ireland into markets such as the United States, Singapore, and Australia. Dowling expressed confidence that the funding will help make TrialView an indispensable global tool in dispute resolution workflows.

8. Leadership and Team at TrialView

Aside from Dowling’s legal expertise, TrialView’s leadership includes industry veterans such as CTO Frank Brooks, with over 20 years in software development, and Commercial Director Eimear McCann, bringing a blend of legal and technology experience. Their combined skills support Dowling’s vision, ensuring TrialView remains a cutting-edge and user-focused platform that continuously evolves alongside legal industry needs.

9. Advocacy for the Future of Legal Tech and AI Adoption

Dowling frequently speaks at industry events and contributes to discussions about AI’s role in the legal sector. He envisions a future where AI augments human lawyers, not replaces them, enhancing critical thinking and legal strategy. At conferences and webinars, he stresses the importance of AI tools for the profession’s survival as litigation complexity and data volumes grow exponentially.

10. TrialView’s Role in Landmark Cases and Legal Innovation

TrialView has demonstrated its capabilities in high-profile cases, including the notable £2.7 billion lawsuit against EY in the NMC Health scandal. Its use of technology in such complex litigation underlines its essential function in modern legal proceedings. Under Dowling’s guidance, TrialView continues to shape the digitization of courts and dispute resolution, reflecting his dedication to legal innovation blended seamlessly with practice.

Conclusion

Stephen Dowling SC exemplifies the integration of legal expertise and technological innovation, spearheading the development of TrialView to revolutionize litigation workflows worldwide. From his seasoned background in commercial law to his forward-thinking leadership in AI-driven dispute resolution, Dowling’s work enhances judicial efficiency, transparency, and access to justice. As AI-driven legal tech becomes increasingly vital, Dowling's vision prompts us to consider: How will emerging technologies further transform the judicial landscape and the practice of law in the years to come?