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
Pensions analysis: The House of Lords considered the National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill at Report stage on 5...
Pensions analysis: On 2 February 2026, the government published its response to its consultation on access and fairness in the Local Government...
Pensions analysis: The claimant, a part-time reservist, brought a complaint under the Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment)...
Law360: An appeals tribunal has rejected the Ministry of Defence (MoD)'s attempt to overturn a ruling that it treated a long-standing part-time army...
Law360: The Minister for Equalities has declined to say when promised legislation to introduce ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting will be put...
Latest Practice Management Practice Notes
This Practice Note covers regulatory requirements relating to health and safety incidents including requirements relating to the reporting of...
This Practice Note considers an employee’s right to return to work after adoption leave under sections 75A and 75B of the Employment Rights Act 1996...
This Practice Note considers the right to statutory maternity leave under sections 71–75 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 (ERA 1996) and the...
This Practice Note considers the position in relation to paternity leave and statutory paternity pay (SPP) in relation to birth or adoption. Broadly,...
Paid holiday benefits both employers and workers by allowing workers a period of relaxation and recuperation. The entitlement to paid annual leave can...
Latest Practice Management Precedents
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[Insert name of employee][Insert address of employee][Insert date]Dear [Insert name of employee]I am writing to you about your flexible working...
1Policy statement1.1The Company is committed to achieving gender equality in our business and implementing interventions that will drive progress...
[Insert name of employee][Insert address of employee][Insert date]Dear [insert employee’s name]I am writing to you about your flexible working request...
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
Parallel running
When both the old and the new numbering arrangements run alongside each other leading up to an actual number change. It allows customers a transition period to get used to the new arrangements.
Radioactive Substances Act 1993 (RSA 1993)
Formerly the principal piece of legislation regulating radioactive substances (still in force but largely repealed or application amended). In England and Wales, the Environmental Permitting regime has replaced the authorisation regime contained in the RSA 1993, such that an Environmental Permit must now be obtained from the EA rather than an authorisation under the RSA 1993 (see Environmental Permit and Radioactive Substances Regulation). In Scotland and Northern Ireland, the authorisation regime under the RSA 1993 (and subordinate legislation) continues to apply.
Referral arrangement
Any arrangement to refer or recommend a client to a third party or to be introduced to a client by a third party.
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