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: The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is making moves to update legal guidance on single-sex spaces following a ruling on 16 April...
The UK Supreme Court has unanimously held that the terms ‘man’, ‘woman’ and ’sex' in the Equality Act 2010 (EqA 2010) refer to biological sex rather...
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...
Latest Practice Management Practice Notes
Continuous improvement—law firms—step 4—improve the processThere are five key steps to improving efficiency:•identify (define) what process needs...
Advertising law and regulationRegulatory regime overviewThe rules applicable to advertising in the UK are found in both legislation and in...
The right to return to work after adoption leaveThis Practice Note considers an employee’s right to return to work after adoption leave under sections...
Sexual harassment and the duty to prevent itThis Practice Note considers:•sexual harassment under section 26(2) of the Equality Act 2010 (EqA 2010)...
Termination and expiry of contractsThis Practice Note provides an overview of contract expiry and of the different causes of termination and ways to...
Latest Practice Management Precedents
Policy—dress code and appearance policy1Introduction1.1The fundamental aim of the Company’s dress code and appearance policy set out below is to...
Policy—equality, diversity and inclusion (short form)1Policy statement1.1The Company is fully committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion...
Fire safety arrangements record and evacuation plan1Introduction1.1This fire safety arrangements record and evacuation plan records our arrangements...
Improving efficiency business case—worked example1Executive summary1.1This report analyses why the firm loses 35% of new clients within the first two...
Lexcel post-assessment email to relevant department heads and management teamDear AllWe have completed our recent Lexcel assessment.The assessor...
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
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
GMOs are organisms (apart from human beings) whose genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by reproduction and/or natural recombination. EU legislation on GMOs deals with the use, deliberate release into the environment and marketing of GMOs, including genetically modified food and animal feed, based on an assessment of their risks to health and the environment.
Inter-bank payment systems
The 'inter-bank payment system' denotes the arrangements designed to facilitate or control the transfer of money between financial institutions which participate in the arrangements. Banking Act 2009 s 182(1).
Witholding tax
A method of collecting tax at source from the person who makes the payment (as opposed to collecting it from the recipient of the payment). Withholding tax can be an issue in loan transactions as, in many jurisdictions, borrowers are, in certain circumstances, obliged to withhold a proportion of the interest payable to the lender and pay the withheld amount to the tax authorities.
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