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 government has published a roadmap for implementing the Employment Rights Bill on 1 July 2025....
The Home Office has issued an updated version of its ‘Employer’s guide to right to work checks’ document, with the changes primarily related to...
Employment analysis: The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has updated its interim update on the practical implications of the Supreme Court...
The Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) has published a report evaluating the UK’s parental leave system. It identifies key shortcomings, including...
Pensions analysis: Building on the government’s wider Make Work Pay agenda, there are a number of reforms to the Local Government Pension Scheme...
Latest Practice Management Practice Notes
Writing a business caseIf you have been tasked with preparing a business case, you should already be aware of the purpose of the business case, why it...
Step 5: Managing marketing and business development resourcesHow to produce a business development planBy way of a summary, you can follow this basic...
What is contract management?The term ‘contract management’ will mean one thing to your organisation and something slightly different to you as...
Personal development for in-house lawyers—building business leadersThis Practice Note discusses the benefits of personal development for in-house...
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...
Latest Practice Management Precedents
ITT schedule—tenderer questionnaire—legal services[Insert organisation’s name] will treat the following information as...
Legal team meeting agendaDear all, here’s the agenda for the next legal team meeting. Please take the time to read it [and any supporting materials]...
Policy—parental leave1Introduction1.1This policy sets out the rights and responsibilities of employees who wish to take parental leave. Parental leave...
Partnership agreement—short formThis Partnership Agreement is made on [insert date]Parties1[insert name of partner], of [insert address of...
Strategy away day—logistics plannerPerson leading strategy review: [insert name] (strategy lead)Coordinator: [insert name of a person who will assist...
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
Buy-out policy
Insurance policy purchased by trustees in the name of a member or other beneficiary when the member's pensionable service is terminated. The insurance policy provider pays the member's benefits instead of the scheme trustees. Also known as a s 32 policy.
Defamation
A portmanteau term covering both libel and slander.
Dividend cover
The ratio between a company’s earnings (net profit after tax) and the net dividend paid to shareholders, calculated as earnings per share divided by the dividend per share. So if a company has earnings per share of 8p and it pays out a dividend of 2.1p, the dividend cover is 8/2.1 = 3.80 Generally speaking, a ratio of 2 or higher is considered safe (in the sense that the company can well afford the dividend), but anything below 1.5 is risky. If the ratio is under 1, the company is using its retained earnings from a previous year to pay this year’s dividend.
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