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 Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has updated its Plan to Make Work Pay and Employment Rights Act: timeline update to reflect numerous...
Law360: The government proposed on 14 July 2026 requirements for employers to disclose a salary range to job applicants as part of a consultation on...
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has launched a consultation seeking views on proposals to support the fair, transparent and responsible...
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) has published a revised draft code of practice on time off for trade union duties and...
Practice Management has launched a new Career development subtopic, bringing together practical guidance and precedents to help law firms develop...
Latest Practice Management Practice Notes
A limited liability partnership (LLP) is a body corporate which is formed under the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000 (LLPA 2000). The majority...
A limited liability partnership (LLP) is not a partnership but a body corporate that is formed under the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000 (LLPA...
This Practice Note contains references to case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union. For guidance on whether EU judgments are binding on...
This Practice Note provides information on investigating, handling and reporting health and safety incidents in an office-based workplace. Other...
This Practice Note looks at the different types of social media and highlights the most common platforms within each type. It also explains how law...
Latest Practice Management Precedents
This Deed of retirement is made on [insert day and month] 20[insert year]Parties1[insert name of retiring member] of [insert address] (Retiring...
This llp Agreement is made on [insert date and month] 20[insert year]Parties1The parties listed in Schedule 1 (Initial Members); and2[insert name] LLP...
How confident do you feel when negotiating fees with a client? This questionnaire will help you to identify where your comfort areas lie and where you...
The sample opt-out notice includes the wording set out in Schedule 1 to SI 2010/772 and the statements required by SI 2010/772, reg 9(6)(aa).Notice to...
Please click for an Excel version of this schedule.Inspection or testing of what?Date of test/inspectionMethod of...
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
BMPCoP
Balancing Market Principles Code of Practise
Health & Safety Executive (HSE)
The statutory body responsible for the enforcement of health and safety legislation and regulations (including the CDM Regulations) on construction sites.
Referring party
The party referring the dispute to adjudication, ie the claimant.
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