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: Opaque bonus processes and a tendency for women to specialise in lower-earning practices are hampering progress by law firms as they seek to...
Law360: Half of the UK's highest-earning law firms do no't report on gender pay gaps among their partners, despite calls for them to do so since the...
The Office for Equality and Opportunity and Women and Equalities Unit have published a report by the Behavioural Insights Team into evidence-based...
Law360: Insurance company Aviva said on 23 July 2025 that men are more likely than women to see themselves as the pension planner in their household....
Law360: Research by insurance company Aviva, published on 23 July 2025, has found that men are more likely than women to see themselves as the pension...
Latest Practice Management Practice Notes
Fire safety in the workplace—regulatory requirementsThis Practice Note covers regulatory requirements relating to fire safety in the workplace. It...
Step 3: Developing a business development and marketing strategyThis Practice Note explains how, once you have analysed the current position of your...
National minimum wageThe National Minimum Wage Act 1998 (NMWA 1998) and the National Minimum Wage Regulations 2015 (NMW Regs 2015), SI 2015/621...
Written statements of employment particulars—to 5 April 2020 [Archived]FORTHCOMING CHANGE: On 6 April 2020, the Employment Rights (Miscellaneous...
Sick payThis Practice Note considers contractual sick pay (sometimes known as occupational sick pay) and entitlement to statutory sick pay (SSP) under...
Latest Practice Management Precedents
Fire risk assessmentIntroductionThis document outlines the areas of our working practice that we have assessed, key fire safety issues and the hazards...
Variation agreementThis Agreement is made on [date]Parties1[insert name of party] [of OR a company incorporated in [England and Wales] under number...
BD and marketing plan—detailedDate of plan[insert date]Person with overall responsibility for plan[insert the name of the person in the firm who is...
External market analysis—long form1Domestic and international analysisInformation neededWho will obtain the information?Date for deliveryKey...
Pricing capability analysis exerciseThis pricing capability analysis exercise will help us critically review our pricing capability and resourcing to...
Latest Practice Management Q&As
Featured Practice Management content
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....
Corporate social responsibility—CSR—regulatory requirements
Corporate social responsibility—CSR—regulatory requirementsThis Practice Note considers regulatory requirements relating to corporate social...
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...
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...
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...
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)Until 31 August 2021, the main route to solicitor qualification (training contract route) required...
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,...
Attendance review meetings (ARMs)—FAQs—law firms
Attendance review meetings (ARMs)—FAQs—law firms1. Does an attendance review meeting (ARM) mean I’m being disciplined for my absence?No. An ARM does...
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...
Lexcel pre-assessment—top tips for all staff
Lexcel pre-assessment—top tips for all staffWhat is Lexcel?Lexcel is a Law Society quality accreditation, which is only awarded to solicitors who meet...
How to manage health and safety in the workplace
How to manage health and safety in the workplaceAn organisation has a duty to ensure it manages the health and safety risks in its workplace...
Time recording FAQs
Time recording FAQsFAQsThese FAQs supplement our Time recording policy, which can be found [state where, eg on our intranet].What is [matter-related...
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)...
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...
How to conduct a health and safety risk assessment
How to conduct a health and safety risk assessmentHaving in place a well-thought-out and accessible structure on health and safety could help enable...
Step 6: Creating a business development plan
Step 6: Creating a business development planHow to produce a business development planBy way of a summary, you should follow this basic strategic...
Drafting an appraisal form
Drafting an appraisal formThis Practice Note provides guidance on drafting an appraisal form which can be used to assess and review an individual’s...
How to formulate a strategic plan—law firms
How to formulate a strategic plan—law firmsWhat are strategic aims?A strategic aims document is also sometimes known as a strategic plan. It sets out...
Associated legal terms
CSN
Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear (Nuclear Safety Council): The sole authority'>competent authority in matters relating to nuclear safety and radiological protection in Spain. The Mission of the Nuclear Safety Council is to protect the workers, the public and the environment against the harmful effects of ionising radiation, by assuring the safe operation of nuclear and radioactive facilities and by establishing preventive and corrective measures against radiological emergencies, whatever their origin.
Product Carbon Footprint
means the total Scope 1, 2 and 3 Greenhouse Gas Emissions over the whole life of the [product OR service], from the extraction of raw materials and manufacturing through to its use and final re-use, recycling or disposal, including Greenhouse Gas Emissions associated with the raw materials and services purchased by the Supplier in order to deliver the [product OR service].
Uncertificated or in uncertificated form
See dematerialised.
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