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
Employment analysis: The government has published the Employment Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1 and Transitional and Saving Provisions)...
Share Incentives analysis: Elissavet Grout is a partner in the Tax Department at Travers Smith LLP and heads the firm's Incentives and Remuneration...
Pensions analysis: MPs have passed the Second Reading of the National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill which includes...
Employment Analysis: The Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA 2025) received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025 and was published (in pdf form only) on 19...
A new independent report commissioned by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has found increased confidence among law firm employers in the...
Latest Practice Management Practice Notes
Auto-enrolment—an introductionFORTHCOMING DEVELOPMENT: The Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) (No. 2) Bill received Royal Assent on 18...
Auto-enrolment—when do employers need to comply?FORTHCOMING DEVELOPMENT: The Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) (No. 2) Bill received Royal...
Auto-enrolment—who needs to be enrolled?FORTHCOMING DEVELOPMENT: The Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) (No. 2) Bill received Royal Assent on...
How to conduct a disciplinary hearingThis ‘How to’ guide sets out how to conduct a disciplinary (or conduct) hearing or meeting, as part of a fair...
Conditional fee agreements—definition and requirementsWhat is a CFA?A CFA is defined as:‘An agreement with a person providing advocacy or litigation...
Latest Practice Management Precedents
Policy and procedure—flexible working (short form)1Introduction1.1This document sets out our policy on handling requests by eligible employees for a...
Legal services outsourcing meeting—agenda and meeting plan—real estate directorAgenda itemSupporting documentation (to be provided before or after...
Policy and procedure—flexible working1Introduction1.1This document sets out our policy on handling requests by employees for a variation to their...
Letter—Employer’s decision on appeal regarding flexible working request[Insert name of employee][Insert address of employee][Insert date]Dear [insert...
Letter—Employer notifies that flexible working request is being treated as withdrawn[Insert name of employee][Insert address of employee][Insert...
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
Cs-137
Caesium-137 is a radioactive isotope of caesium which is formed as a fission product by nuclear fission. In small amounts it can be used to calibrate radiation-detection equipment and can also be used in cancer treatments. Caesium shares similar chemical properties to other Group 1 elements including sodium and potassium. If ingested, Cs-137 is distributed fairly uniformly throughout the body’s soft tissue, resulting in exposure of those tissues which can be treated with Prussian Blue (Ferric Hexacyanoferrate). The magnitude of the health risk depends on exposure conditions. These include factors such as strength of source, length of exposure, distance from the source, and whether there was shielding between the tissue and the source (such as metal plating).
Implementing regulation
Non-legislative act of general application adopted by the Commission based on implementing powers conferred upon it by a legislative act which carries out an EU level implementation of some of the latter’s provisions.
Secondary parties
A secondary party is one who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission of an offence.
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