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) has issued a warning notice to law firms, particularly those engaged in high-volume claims work, regarding...
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has published guidance on what employers need to know about the new sexual harassment law and...
Employment analysis: The Lexis+® Employment team have put together a round-up of the key employment law developments in 2024 as well as a look ahead...
Law360: The UK's proposed Fair Work Agency will be 'more than the sum of its parts', the heads of the labour enforcement bodies being absorbed to form...
Pearn Kandola has undertaken a comprehensive study on age discrimination in UK workplaces, highlighting its prevalence and impact across age groups....
Latest Practice Management Practice Notes
How to gain buy-in from, and influence, othersOur ability to influence others is a skill we need daily. It may be a small thing, eg asking to change...
Learning and development in a nutshellWhat was once known as training is now called learning and development (L&D). This change in terminology...
Embedding learning and development—L&DThis Practice Note provides guidance on how to embed learning and development (L&D) into an organisation by...
Understanding and improving gender and other pay gapsThis Practice Note looks at:•what is meant by ‘the gender pay gap’ and other pay gaps related to...
HarassmentThis Practice Note considers harassment under the Equality Act 2010 (EqA 2010), namely subjecting someone to unwanted conduct which is...
Latest Practice Management Precedents
Letter—Request for flexible working[Insert name and job title of intended recipient][Insert name of employer company][Insert address of recipient at...
Performance appraisal and personal development plan—trainee solicitorName of trainee[Insert trainee’s name]Appraising supervisor[Insert appraising...
Confidentiality letter—mutual[insert address of sender]Our ref: [insert reference]Your ref: [insert reference][Insert address of recipient]Date:...
Policy—expenses1Introduction1.1This policy sets out Company guidelines for the reimbursement of travel, hotel and other expenses you may incur while...
Policy—social media (short form)FORTHCOMING CHANGE: The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published draft guidance on keeping employment...
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
Block exemption
EU Regulation or UK Order that exempts a category of agreements, often according to their sector (e.g. Motor vehicle distribution agreements) from the prohibitions in Article 101(1) TFEU and section 2 of the Competition Act 1998
Current cost accounting
An accounting convention, where assets are valued and depreciated according to their current replacement cost whilst maintaining the operating or financial capital of the business entity.
LTP
Lifetime Plan: A document describing the totality of the activities in terms of scope, schedule and cost to be undertaken at each site to transition from the current state to the proposed End State. Submitted annually from the sites to the NDA.
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