Human resources

Effective management of human resources is vital for maintaining a balanced and productive legal practice. Discover how to navigate employment law, recruitment, retention, and employee relations to optimise workforce performance and compliance. Get the latest insights on best practices, policies, and practical tools designed specifically for legal practitioners. Ensure your firm meets statutory requirements while fostering a positive workplace culture.

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Sub Topics We Cover

Appraisal & personal development Diversity & inclusion Ending employment Gender pay gap General HR policies Immigration International HR Pensions Performance, disciplinary & grievance Protected rights Recruitment & retention Restrictive covenants & confidentiality Sickness & absence Starting employment

Latest Practice Management News

Part-time army reservists as ‘workers’—whether less favourable treatment (Advocate-General for Scotland v Milroy)

Part-time army reservists as ‘workers’—whether less favourable treatment (Advocate-General for Scotland v Milroy)

The following Pensions news provides comprehensive and up to date legal information on Part-time army reservists as ‘workers’—whether less favourable treatment (Advocate-General for Scotland v Milroy)

MoD loses appeal over army reservist's right of access to pension scheme

MoD loses appeal over army reservist's right of access to pension scheme

The following Pensions news provides comprehensive and up to date legal information on MoD loses appeal over army reservist's right of access to pension scheme

No timetable for Labour’s Equality (Race and Disability) Bill

No timetable for Labour’s Equality (Race and Disability) Bill

The following Employment news provides comprehensive and up to date legal information on No timetable for Labour’s Equality (Race and Disability) Bill

SRA publishes report on SQE performance and diversity in first four years

SRA publishes report on SQE performance and diversity in first four years

Featured Practice Management content

What is pro bono?

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 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 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 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...

Practice notes

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...
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30th May
Practice notes

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)Until 31 August 2021, the main route to solicitor qualification (training contract route) required...
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30th May
Practice notes

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,...
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Produced in partnership with Beth Pipe FCIPD of OnLive Learning
13th Oct
Precedents

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...
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Produced in partnership with Beth Pipe FCIPD of OnLive Learning
13th Oct
Practice notes

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...
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Produced in partnership with Melanie O'Brien of DG Legal
13th Oct
Precedents

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...
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30th May
Practice notes

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...
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Produced in partnership with Melanie O'Brien of DG Legal
13th Oct
Precedents

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...
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30th May
Practice notes

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)...
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Produced in partnership with Beth Pipe FCIPD of OnLive Learning
13th Oct
Precedents

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...
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30th May
Practice notes

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...
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Produced in partnership with Melanie O'Brien of DG Legal
13th Oct
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Practice notes

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...
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2nd Jun
Practice notes

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...
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Produced in partnership with Beth Pipe FCIPD of OnLive Learning and OnLive Learning
13th Oct
Practice notes

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...
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Produced in partnership with Jon Whittle of Jon Whittle Consulting Ltd
13th Oct
Checklists

Mergers—law firms—checklist

Mergers—law firms—checklistA: Before you beginIt is important that you and your law firm have a clear and honest understanding of where you are before...
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2nd Jun
Precedents

Time recording policy

Time recording policyTime recording policy1Introduction1.1Accurate time recording allows the firm to understand the true cost of services we provide...
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2nd Jun

Popular documents

Strike out—making an application to strike out a statement of case

Strike out—making an application to strike out a statement of caseA strike out order can be made either following an application by the parties or on the court's own initiative. This Practice Note deals with the scenario of the order being made following a party's application.Making an application

Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?

Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?A limited company having a share capital may not alter that share capital, except in the ways listed in section 617 of the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006). Shares in a company cannot simply be cancelled without following an

Glossary—Latin legal terms

Glossary—Latin legal termsDespite attempts in recent years to simplify the language used in legal cases, there are still a number of Latin phrases commonly used in personal injury claims. The following Latin phrases are listed in alphabetical order:Latin

Template for regulatory references given by SMCR firms and disclosure requirements

Template for regulatory references given by SMCR firms and disclosure requirements[Insert addressee details]Dear [insert name][It is our understanding that [insert name of prospective employee] [was an employee of yours between the dates of [insert dates as appropriate] OR is a current employee of