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.
Latest Practice Management News
The Government’s Equality (Race and Disability) Bill was notably absent from today’s King’s Speech, despite expectations in some quarters that the...
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has launched a consultation on proposals to strengthen its continuing competence regime. The proposed...
The Government Equalities Office, Office for Equality and Opportunity, and Women and Equalities Unit have published updated guidance on creating...
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a public consultation on The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations...
Law360: The new Fair Work Agency is 'here to listen' to employers as well as workers, its chief executive said ahead of its official launch on 7 April...
Latest Practice Management Practice Notes
FORTHCOMING CHANGES: In measures expected to come into force on 1 October 2026, time limits for making certain claims in employment tribunals in Great...
This Practice Note analyses legal and commercial issues arising out of direct marketing activities. It covers the relevant provisions of Assimilated...
FORTHCOMING CHANGE: On 6 April 2020, the Employment Rights (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019, SI 2019/731 extend the right to a written...
Offering clear and well-supported career development pathways is essential when it comes to attracting and retaining top talent and ensuring the...
This Practice Note explains how career development in law firms should be viewed as an ongoing journey and highlights how a clear understanding of...
Latest Practice Management Precedents
CauseHow much does it contribute to the problem? (0 = not at all, 10 = a lot)How easy is it...
1Purpose and scope1.1All organisations face the risk of things going wrong or of unknowingly harbouring malpractice. We take malpractice very...
1Introduction1.1[As set out in the Company’s [equality policy], the OR The] Company is fully committed to providing equal opportunities for all...
Path 1: traditional career pathThis is a guide for those who are planning to take a traditional career path in legal practice.1Newly qualified (NQ)...
Type of skillsLevel 1: Trainee/JuniorLevel 2: Fee earner/Team memberLevel 3: Team leader/SupervisorLevel 4: Senior team...
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
Exclusive licensee
An exclusive licence is a licence in writing signed by or on behalf of the copyright owner authorising the licensee to the exclusion of all other persons, including the person granting the licence, to exercise a right which would otherwise be exercisable exclusively by the copyright owner.
Housing benefit
Income-related benefit to assist with the costs of rent (to a private landlord or in respect of a council dwelling).
Independent executive
A board of directors is an independent executive when its members are aware that the property it is asked to buy is the promoter's property and that they are competent and intelligent as to whether the transaction ought to proceed to completion, and that they are capable of exercising intelligent, independent and impartial judgment on the transaction.
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