About Practice Management
There’s more to running a law firm than being good at law. If you want to succeed in today’s tough legal landscape you have to manage your business effectively. That means strategic planning, business planning, financial management, risk management, talent management, operational management, knowledge management, HR, IT, tax, pensions, business development, health & safety, learning & development and facilities.
Human resources (HR)
If you have a HR department or not, this topic can be a reference tool or way to understand why HR is important, what a firm needs to do, and how. We combine relevant employment law with practical HR guidance.
Health & safety (H&S)
Every business needs to be compliant with H&S legislation. Law firms often outsource this area due to a lack of knowledge. We can demystify these requirements and help firms do what they need to do themselves.
Lexcel Practice Management Standard
Any law firm that has or wants to get Lexcel accreditation (the Law Society’s practice management standard) will find this subtopic invaluable. Get practical pre-assessment, assessment day, and post-assessment guidance.
Running a firm
There's more to running a firm than being a good lawyer. If you want to succeed in today's tough legal landscape you have to manage your business effectively. Strategic planning, finances, business development and more.
Our Practice Management Experts
Jon Whittle
Louisa Winning
Jennifer Oswin
Alex Storer
Larry Cattle
Latest Practice Management News
Law360: Cruise operator Carnival has won its appeal and can reargue a former employee's claim that it unfairly dismissed her for redundancy while she...
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published statistics relating to the employment of working-age (aged 16-64) disabled people in the UK,...
Acas has published updated guidance on gender reassignment discrimination. The guidance, which as well as stating the law, also provides examples of...
Law360: Plans by the government to require employers to report their ethnic and disability pay gaps would be a world first—but lawyers say that the...
The Director of Labour Market Enforcement, Margaret Beels OBE, has launched an open call for evidence for the 2025-2026 Labour Market Enforcement...
Latest Practice Management Practice Notes
National minimum wageFORTHCOMING CHANGE: From 1 April 2025, the hourly rates of the national minimum wage, in line with the recommendations of the Low...
Using the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) for auto-enrolmentFORTHCOMING DEVELOPMENT: Section 10 of the Finance Act 2022 will increase the...
Insurance in employmentSome employers offer benefits to their employees in the form of insured benefits, such as private medical insurance, permanent...
Pensions—general considerations for employment lawyersPayment into pension schemes registered with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has...
Dealing with a grievanceAll employers will have employees who are dissatisfied at some point in time. It is therefore important for employers to have...
Latest Practice Management Precedents
Price and service notice—hourly rate—general—law firms1Legal costs1.1There are [two OR three] main elements to the legal costs of [insert brief...
Confidentiality agreement—mutualThis Agreement is made on [date]Parties1[insert name of party] [of [insert details ] OR a company incorporated in...
Improving efficiency—Voice of the Client (VOC)—blank1Step 1: Identify our clientsQuestionResponseWho are our existing clients (specific and...
Diversity questionnaire—law firmsWhy are we collecting diversity data?We collect data on the diversity of our workforce for several reasons:•it is...
Trainee solicitor induction planType of informationDetailed informationDate provided to traineeIntroduction to the firm[Provide basic details about...
Latest Practice Management Q&As
Featured Practice Management content
Qualifying work experience (QWE)
Qualifying work experience (QWE)From 1 September 2021, there is a new route to qualification for aspiring solicitors—the Solicitors Qualifying...
Corporate social responsibility—CSR—regulatory requirements
Corporate social responsibility—CSR—regulatory requirementsThis Practice Note considers regulatory requirements relating to corporate social...
How to read and understand the financial accounts of a law firm
How to read and understand the financial accounts of a law firmThis Practice Note provides information about how to read and understand the financial...
Formulating a learning and development—L&D—policy
Formulating a learning and development—L&D—policyThis Practice Note provides information on formulating a learning and development (L&D) policy. It...
The impact of pricing on profitability
The impact of pricing on profitabilityBusinesses are constantly looking for ways to improve performance and effective pricing can be instrumental in...
How to conduct an effective attendance review meeting—law firms
How to conduct an effective attendance review meeting—law firmsThis Practice Note is intended for law firms. It provides guidance on how to conduct an...
How to prepare and deliver a training course or presentation
How to prepare and deliver a training course or presentationThis Practice Note covers how to prepare and deliver a training course or presentation. It...
What is pro bono?
What is pro bono?Many lawyers recognise it is a privilege to be able to provide legal advice and representation and be a part of the legal system....
Fee sharing agreement—law firms
Fee sharing agreement—law firmsThis Agreement is made on [insert date]Parties1[insert name of company] [of OR a company incorporated in [England and...
Health and safety in the workplace—regulatory requirements
Health and safety in the workplace—regulatory requirementsThis Practice Note covers regulatory requirements relating to health and safety in the...
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)Until 31 August 2021, the main route to solicitor qualification (training contract route) required...
Benchmarking—what are normal measures of financial performance in a law firm?
Benchmarking—what are normal measures of financial performance in a law firm?This Practice Note provides information about different ways of measuring...
The structure of a negotiation
The structure of a negotiationWhen entering into any negotiation, be it a multimillion pound business deal or an agreeing the office coffee rota,...
Completion of training contract
Completion of training contractThis Practice Note explains SRA requirements and guidance on the process for applying for admission as a solicitor,...
Preparing an effective tender presentation
Preparing an effective tender presentationThe interview stage is your opportunity to present your proposal to the prospective client. Lack of...
Diversity and inclusion (D&I) statement—law firms
Diversity and inclusion (D&I) statement—law firmsOur diversity and inclusion (D&I) statement articulates our commitment to a diverse workforce and...
The importance of good time recording
The importance of good time recordingThis Practice Note is intended for law firms. It explains why time recording is so important. It also explores...
Lexcel—assessment
Lexcel—assessmentLexcel is the Law Society's practice management standard. It is not compulsory although Lexcel accreditation can be helpful for firms...
Associated legal terms
Qualifying non-UK pension scheme (QNUPS)
An overseas pension scheme within the meaning of section 150(1) of the Finance Act 2004 (FA 2004), other than a UK registered pension scheme. A transfer from a UK registered pension scheme to a qualifying non-UK pension scheme is not a ‘recognised transfer’ within the meaning of FA 2004, s 169.
Strict settlement
A settlement of land falling under the Settled Land Act 1925. It is no longer possible to create such a settlement, but some strict settlements remain in existence.
Switching
The name given to the process of changing the choice of funds in which a policy is invested. Ordinarily the units of one fund are redeemed and units are purchased in another fund. It can also be many funds being redeemed for purchase into one new fund, or alternatively one fund being redeemed and invested in a selection of other funds. The purchase of units as part of a switch is done at the bid price, so preventing another bid/offer spread being incurred by the policyholder. A charge is sometimes levied for this service.
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