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 Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has authorised Garfield.Law Ltd as the first purely AI-driven law firm to provide regulated legal services...
Law360: The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is making moves to update legal guidance on single-sex spaces following a ruling on 16 April...
The UK Supreme Court has unanimously held that the terms ‘man’, ‘woman’ and ’sex' in the Equality Act 2010 (EqA 2010) refer to biological sex rather...
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) published updated guidance on race equality in the workplace on 9 April 2025. The extensively revised...
Pensions analysis: The First-Tier Tribunal (‘the Tribunal’) has ruled that the Pensions Regulator (TPR) acted ‘unfairly’ in issuing a penalty to a...
Latest Practice Management Practice Notes
Forming a limited liability partnershipA limited liability partnership (LLP) is a body corporate which is formed under the Limited Liability...
Tailoring a shelf companySTOP PRESS: The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA 2023) received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023. It...
Continuous improvement—law firms—step 2—measure the problemThere are five key steps to improving efficiency:•identify (define) what process needs...
Building the business case for learning and developmentThis Practice Note provides guidance on building the business case for learning and development...
The role of learning and developmentWhat was once known as 'training' is now usually referred to as 'learning and development' (L&D) to reflect the...
Latest Practice Management Precedents
Letter notifying employee of attendance review meeting (ARM)—law firmsDear [insert name of employee] Re: Attendance review meetingI am writing to...
L&D policy and plan—annual review1General informationDate of review[Insert date]Person(s) conducting review[Insert name(s)]2Review and findingsIs your...
Transfer agreement—conversion of general partnership to limited liability partnershipThis Agreement is made on [insert date]Parties1The persons listed...
Agenda for strategy review meeting1Apologies[insert details of anyone unable to attend this meeting]2Action points of last meetingActionsPerson...
Learning and development (L&D) planPeriod of cover: [Insert period]1ResponsibilityThe person responsible for this L&D plan is:[Insert the name of the...
Latest Practice Management Q&As
Featured Practice Management content
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...
Corporate social responsibility—CSR—regulatory requirements
Corporate social responsibility—CSR—regulatory requirementsThis Practice Note considers regulatory requirements relating to corporate social...
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...
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)...
The impact of pricing on profitability
The impact of pricing on profitabilityBusinesses are constantly looking for ways to improve performance and effective pricing can be instrumental in...
How to conduct an effective attendance review meeting—law firms
How to conduct an effective attendance review meeting—law firmsThis Practice Note is intended for law firms. It provides guidance on how to conduct an...
How to prepare and deliver a training course or presentation
How to prepare and deliver a training course or presentationThis Practice Note covers how to prepare and deliver a training course or presentation. It...
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....
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...
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...
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)Until 31 August 2021, the main route to solicitor qualification (training contract route) required...
Benchmarking—what are normal measures of financial performance in a law firm?
Benchmarking—what are normal measures of financial performance in a law firm?This Practice Note provides information about different ways of measuring...
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,...
Completion of training contract
Completion of training contractThis Practice Note explains SRA requirements and guidance on the process for applying for admission as a solicitor,...
Preparing an effective tender presentation
Preparing an effective tender presentationThe interview stage is your opportunity to present your proposal to the prospective client. Lack of...
Diversity and inclusion (D&I) statement—law firms
Diversity and inclusion (D&I) statement—law firmsOur diversity and inclusion (D&I) statement articulates our commitment to a diverse workforce...
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...
Lexcel—assessment
Lexcel—assessmentLexcel is the Law Society's practice management standard. It is not compulsory although Lexcel accreditation can be helpful for firms...
Associated legal terms
Actuarial methods
Actuaries adopt a variety of ways of calculating assets and liabilities, which can produce very different outcomes. Some of them are mentioned in this list (eg projected unit credit) and there are standard definitions on the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries website.
Founder partner
A founder limited partner in a equity'>private equity limited partnership fund which usually acts as the carried interest partner.
Instructional television fixed service
A service provided by one or more fixed microwave stations operated by an educational organisation and used mainly to transmit instructional, cultural and other educational information to fixed receiving stations.
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