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
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) published updated guidance on race equality in the workplace on 9 April 2025. The extensively revised...
Pensions analysis: The First-Tier Tribunal (‘the Tribunal’) has ruled that the Pensions Regulator (TPR) acted ‘unfairly’ in issuing a penalty to a...
The Department for Business and Trade has published a number of new factsheets which set out what each policy or framework within the Employment...
Employment analysis: A revised Employment Rights Bill (ERB), as brought from the House of Commons to the House of Lords was published on 14 March...
Law360: The proposed Fair Work Agency will be able to take employers to a tribunal to enforce workers' rights if they are 'unwilling or unable to do...
Latest Practice Management Practice Notes
Advertising law and regulationRegulatory regime overviewThe rules applicable to advertising in the UK are found in both legislation and in...
Contractual damages—general principlesThis Practice Note considers the general principles of recovering damages for contractual breach, starting with...
Annual short-form L&D planning workflow—small to medium firmsThe diagram below shows key stages in planning your L&D resource.STEP 1—see Precedents:...
Learning and development in a nutshellWhat was once known as training is now called learning and development (L&D). This change in terminology...
Annual long-form L&D planning workflow—medium to large firmsThe diagram below shows key stages in planning your L&D resource.STEP 1—see Precedents:...
Latest Practice Management Precedents
L&D policy—law firms1Purpose and scope1.1This document provides guidelines and procedures for managers and employees relating to learning and...
New to role—in-house lawyers—meeting agenda and question plan—Finance DirectorGeneralItemDescriptionPurpose of meetingIntroductory meeting between...
Consultancy agreement—company and individual—pro-clientThis Agreement is made on [insert date]Parties1[Name of Company], a company incorporated in...
Six-week follow-up evaluation formBackground informationNameRoleDepartment/teamContact detailsCourse attendedCourse dateCourse evaluationHas the...
Post-course evaluation questionnaireBackground informationWorkshop/training course/presentation[Insert title]Date[Insert date]Your nameRoleContact...
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)...
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...
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
Capital maintenance rules
A collection of provisions within the CA 2006 (particularly CA 2006, Pts 17 and 18) designed to ensure that a company receives proper consideration for the shares it issues and does not return funds to shareholders except in defined circumstances.
Project Co (see also PFI Contractor or the Contractor)
The SPV or other private sector participant who enters into the Project Agreement with the Authority or other public sector party.
Sequestration
The Scottish term for the bankruptcy of an insolvent estate of an individual or partnership. Technically, it is a person's estate which is sequestrated or set aside for the use of his creditors.
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