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 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...
The Law Society has recommended that minimum salaries should increase to £24,916 outside London and £28,090 in London for those employed for a period...
Employment analysis: With smartphones and digital platforms embedded in our day to day lives, more employees are struggling with behavioural...
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...
Equitable remedies in contractual disputesWhile the primary remedy for contractual breach is that of damages (see Practice Note: Contractual...
Different types of cancellation rights—law firmsIf you enter into a retainer with a consumer client away from your office or without meeting them, it...
Direct marketing complianceThis Practice Note provides practical guidance on direct marketing, in particular how to comply with the United Kingdom...
How to conduct a fire risk assessmentYou have a duty to take precautions to minimise the risk of fire in your workplace and ensure the safety of your...
Latest Practice Management Precedents
Policy—neonatal care leave1Introduction1.1This policy outlines the leave and pay we offer to employees whose babies are born premature or sick, and...
Policy—recruitment1Introduction1.1[As set out in the Company’s [equality policy], the OR The] Company is fully committed to providing equal...
Manual handling policy1Purpose and responsibility1.1Manual handling is one of the most common causes of injury in the workplace.1.2Injuries caused in...
Manual handling risk assessment1GeneralName of employee[insert name]Handling operations examined[insert, eg collecting and delivering mail, boxing up...
Letter explaining CFA—conditional fees from 1 April 2013—success fee and insurance premium not recoverable between the partiesStandard CFA (success...
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
Bear
Someone who thinks the market, or a particular share, will decline. A bear market is one in which most prices are falling. Also used adjectivally, as in ‘bearish’, ‘bear market’ and so on.
Naked credit default swap
A swap'>credit default swap which is purely speculative and on which neither party owns the reference entity
Share premium
The amount paid for newly issued shares above their nominal value.
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