Practice Management | By Lawyers
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Practice Management

FED

This publication provides all the essential resources needed to efficiently manage a law firm.

3 Matter Plans

Overview

The commentary covers core aspects of legal practice management, including ethics, the lawyer-client relationship, and practical matter management tools like risk and financial management, client communication, and costs and billing. It also addresses employment-related topics, including the employment relationship, recruitment, training, and staff retention.

The comprehensive Legal Practice Health Check Self-Diagnostic Tool enables firms to assess their current performance and set informed goals for future development.

The 101 Staff Handbook contains a complete set of essential policies and procedures for law firms. Practice managers can adopt these directly or use them as a framework to create tailored, firm-specific policies.

The 101 Costs Answers commentary covers disclosure requirements, disbursements, counsel’s fees, and debt recovery.

Precedents in this publication include:

  • Library of position descriptions;
  • Library of policies:
    • Computer, email, and internet usage;
    • Corporate social responsibility;
    • Flexible work;
    • Risk management;
    • Working from home;
    • Workplace discrimination, bullying, and harassment;
  • Business Plan;
  • Asset Register;
  • Library of costs agreements.
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3 Matter Plans Included

  • Item icon ALERTS - Nil
  • Item icon Full Commentary - Practice Management
  • Folder icon Reference materials
    • Item icon AI Prompts
      An AI prompt defines a specific task for AI to perform, like drafting a particular document, and provides clear instructions on how to execute that task. The goal is for the AI to quickly create a useful first draft of a document, which the user verifies and refines into a final version, ultimately ...

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    • Item icon Looking to the Future
    • Item icon Electronic Signing and Witnessing
    • Item icon 101 Staff Handbook
    • Item icon 101 Costs Answers
    • Item icon Calculating Penalty Units - All States and Territories
    • Item icon Further information
      Costs

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  • Item icon Overview
    The fact that practice management and business skills is a mandatory part of the annual continuing professional development requirement for Australian legal practitioners points to the perceived need to improve the profession’s management training. The introduction of the mandatory practice ...

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  • Folder icon A. The practice
    • Item icon File cover sheet - Practice management
    • Item icon The practice
      It is worth noting that the psychology and the character of all organisations flows from the principals, and no way of running the firm will work properly unless the principals are committed to it. Similarly, the commitment to learning and expanding the knowledge base of the practice comes down to ...

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    • Item icon The role of the principals
      Principals of small law firms wear many hats. They may be a sole practitioner, in which case the hats are all piled on top of each other, or they may be partners in a partnership or co-directors in an incorporated legal practice, in which case the hats are shared around. A principal is chiefly a ...

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    • Item icon Business management
      Policies and procedures The foundation for management of the business of a legal practice is to have policies and procedures which record and effectively automate the firm’s operations.

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    • Item icon Team management
      The importance of managerial controls cannot be overstated. They provide the basis of profitable and low-stress practice. Profit is not necessarily related to size or location or how busy a firm may be. Research shows that busy firms are often poor profit performers due to poor managerial ...

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    • Item icon Data management
      Privacy Act requirements The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) provides for mandatory reporting of eligible data breaches. These requirements apply to data held by an Australian privacy principles entity, or a credit reporting body, or a tax file number recipient.

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    • Item icon Notifiable Data Breach form
    • Item icon Letter to OAIC re Privacy Act data breach notification
    • Item icon Letter to client re Privacy Act data breach notification
    • Item icon Matter management
      File notes File notes are a critical item in terms of risk management. Without effective file notes, the file is incomplete, and the practice is exposed. File notes must record what happens on a matter, what instructions are received, what advice is given, and what actions are taken. They represent ...

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    • Item icon Client details and verifying identity
    • Item icon Conflict of interest check
    • Item icon Authority to previous solicitor for file
    • Item icon Tripartite deed - NSW Law Society
    • Item icon Safe custody receipt
    • Item icon File review form
    • Item icon File closing checklist
    • Item icon Document management
      Firm documents Documents including letters, precedents, and pleadings need to be standardised for consistency and to save the effort involved in constant re-invention.

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    • Folder icon Library of retainer instructions
      • Folder icon FED
        • Folder icon Companies, Trusts, Partnerships & Superannuation
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Companies - Incorporation
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Companies - Disputes
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Joint ventures
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Partnerships
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Self managed superannuation fund - Existing
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Self managed superannuation fund - New
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Trusts
        • Folder icon Mortgages
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Security agreements
        • Folder icon Employment Law
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Employment
        • Folder icon Family Law
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Children
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Divorce
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Financial agreements
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Property settlement
        • Folder icon Insolvency/Liquidation
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Insolvency
        • Folder icon Other areas of law
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Immigration
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Trade marks
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - General
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Civil litigation
      • Folder icon ACT
        • Folder icon Conveyancing & Property
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Purchase of real property
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Sale of real property
        • Folder icon Estates
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Estate administration
        • Folder icon Wills, Power of Attorney & Guardianship
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Wills and lifetime planning - For individuals
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Wills and lifetime planning - For couples
      • Folder icon NSW
        • Folder icon Business & Franchise
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Purchase of business
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Sale of business
        • Folder icon Conveyancing & Property
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Leases
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Mortgages
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Purchase of real property
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Sale of real property
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Retirement villages
        • Folder icon Criminal & Traffic
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Apprehended violence order
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Criminal
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Bail application
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Traffic offences
        • Folder icon Estates
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Family provision claims - Acting for the estate
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Estate administration
        • Folder icon Other areas of law
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Security of payments
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Defamation and protecting reputation - Acting for the plaintiff
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Debt collection
        • Folder icon Personal Injury
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Motor vehicle accident - Accidents from 1 December 2017
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Motor vehicle accident - Accidents prior to 1 December 2017
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Personal injury claim - Acting for the plaintiff
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Victims rights and support
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Workers compensation claim
        • Folder icon Wills, Power of Attorney & Guardianship
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Wills and lifetime planning - For couples
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Wills and lifetime planning - For individuals
      • Folder icon NT
        • Folder icon Wills, Power of Attorney & Guardianship
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Wills and lifetime planning - For individuals
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Wills and lifetime planning - For couples
      • Folder icon QLD
        • Folder icon Business & Franchise
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Purchase of business
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Sale of business
        • Folder icon Conveyancing & Property
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Leases
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Mortgages
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Purchase of real property
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Sale of real property
        • Folder icon Criminal & Traffic
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Bail application
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Domestic violence order
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Criminal
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Traffic offences
        • Folder icon Estates
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Family provision claims - Acting for the applicant
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Family provision claims - Acting for the estate
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Estate administration
        • Folder icon Other areas of law
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Debt collection
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Civil litigation
        • Folder icon Personal Injury
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Motor vehicle accident
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Personal injury claim
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Workers' compensation claim
        • Folder icon Wills, Power of Attorney & Guardianship
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Wills and lifetime planning - For individuals
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Wills and lifetime planning - For couples
      • Folder icon SA
        • Folder icon Business & Franchise
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Purchase of business
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Sale of business
        • Folder icon Conveyancing & Property
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Leases
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Mortgages
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Purchase of real property
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Sale of real property
        • Folder icon Criminal & Traffic
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Intervention order
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Bail application
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Criminal
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Traffic offences
        • Folder icon Estates
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Family provision claims - Acting for the applicant
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Family provision claims - Acting for the respondent
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Estate administration
        • Folder icon Litigation
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Debt collection
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Civil litigation
        • Folder icon Wills, Power of Attorney & Guardianship
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Wills and lifetime planning - For individuals
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Wills and lifetime planning - For couples
      • Folder icon TAS
        • Folder icon Conveyancing & Property
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Purchase of real property
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Sale of real property
        • Folder icon Estates
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Estate administration
        • Folder icon Wills, Power of Attorney & Guardianship
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Wills and lifetime planning - For individuals
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Wills and lifetime planning - For couples
      • Folder icon VIC
        • Folder icon Business & Franchise
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Purchase of business
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Sale of business
        • Folder icon Conveyancing & Property
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Leases
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Mortgages
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Purchase of real property
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Sale of real property
        • Folder icon Criminal & Traffic
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Intervention order
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Bail application
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Criminal
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Traffic offences
        • Folder icon Estates
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Family provision claims - Acting for the plaintiff
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Family provision claims - Acting for the estate
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Estate administration
        • Folder icon Other areas of law
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Civil litigation
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Debt collection
        • Folder icon Personal Injury
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Transport Accident Commission claims
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Personal injury claim
        • Folder icon Wills, Power of Attorney & Guardianship
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Wills and lifetime planning - For individuals
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Wills and lifetime planning - For couples
      • Folder icon WA
        • Folder icon Business & Franchise
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Purchase of business
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Sale of business
        • Folder icon Conveyancing & Property
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Leases
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Mortgages
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Purchase of real property
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Sale of real property
        • Folder icon Criminal & Traffic
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Restraining order
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Criminal
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Bail application
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Traffic offences
        • Folder icon Estates
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Estate administration
        • Folder icon Wills, Power of Attorney & Guardianship
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Wills and lifetime planning - For individuals
          • Item icon Retainer instructions - Wills and lifetime planning - For couples
    • Folder icon General deeds, agreements, execution clauses, and statutory declarations
      • Item icon Deeds and Agreements
      • Folder icon Deeds
        • Item icon Deed for general use
        • Item icon Deed of guarantee
        • Item icon Deed of release
        • Item icon General deed of indemnity
        • Item icon Deed of assignment of agreement
        • Item icon Deed of gift
        • Folder icon Library of standard clauses for deeds
          • Item icon Amendment
          • Item icon Confidentiality for defined information - All parties
          • Item icon Confidentiality for defined information - One party
          • Item icon Confidentiality for terms of deed - All parties
          • Item icon Confidentiality for terms of deed - One party
          • Item icon Costs
          • Item icon Counterparts
          • Item icon Dispute resolution
          • Item icon Events beyond control
          • Item icon Governing law and jurisdiction
          • Item icon Interpretation
          • Item icon No assignment
          • Item icon Notices
          • Item icon Severance
          • Item icon Waiver
          • Item icon Whole agreement
      • Folder icon Agreements
        • Item icon Agreement for general use
        • Item icon Heads of agreement
        • Item icon Non-disclosure agreement - Formal
        • Item icon Non-disclosure agreement - Informal
        • Folder icon Library of standard clauses for agreements
          • Item icon Amendment
          • Item icon Confidentiality for defined information - All parties
          • Item icon Confidentiality for defined information - One party
          • Item icon Confidentiality for terms of agreement - All parties
          • Item icon Confidentiality for terms of agreement - One party
          • Item icon Costs
          • Item icon Counterparts
          • Item icon Dispute resolution
          • Item icon Events beyond control
          • Item icon Governing law and jurisdiction
          • Item icon Interpretation
          • Item icon No assignment
          • Item icon Notices
          • Item icon Severance
          • Item icon Waiver
          • Item icon Whole agreement
      • Folder icon Execution clauses
        • Folder icon Library of execution clauses for agreements
          • Item icon Attorney
          • Item icon Authorised officer
          • Item icon Company
          • Item icon Company - Sole director
          • Item icon Individual
          • Item icon Individual - No witness
        • Folder icon Library of execution clauses for deeds
          • Item icon Attorney
          • Item icon Authorised officer
          • Item icon Company
          • Item icon Company - Sole director
          • Item icon Individual
      • Folder icon Statutory declarations
        • Item icon Commonwealth statutory declaration
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - ACT
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - NSW
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - VIC
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - QLD
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - TAS
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - SA
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - WA
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - NT
        • Item icon Standard annexure note for documents
      • Item icon Standard annexure note for documents
  • Folder icon B. The employer/employee relationship
    • Item icon Employing the right people and treating them well
      Research by the University of South Australia concluded that the cost of being a bad place to work outweighs the cost of paying above-average wages and providing excellent conditions, including training opportunities and flexible work practices. Unhappy employees have high levels of absenteeism, ...

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    • Item icon Recruitment
      Staff costs are the most significant overhead for any law firm, so recruitment must be given due priority and adequate resources. It is a false economy to save money on recruitment if that means costing the business time and money later by reason of internal disharmony, poorly performing team ...

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    • Folder icon Library of position descriptions
      • Item icon Blank position description
      • Item icon Accounts clerk
      • Item icon Administration manager
      • Item icon Chief Executive Officer
      • Item icon Executive assistant
      • Item icon Financial controller
      • Item icon Human resources manager
      • Item icon Law clerk
      • Item icon Legal secretary
      • Item icon Library and information services manager
      • Item icon Marketing manager
      • Item icon Paralegal
      • Item icon Precedents manager
      • Item icon Senior associate
      • Item icon Solicitor
      • Item icon Trainee/junior
      • Item icon Word processing operator
    • Item icon Application for employment
    • Item icon Interview notes
    • Item icon Induction
      The firm should have an induction policy and procedure. When a new employee commences at the firm, it is an opportunity to cement the relationship from the start and show them that they are joining a well-run organisation within which they are highly valued.

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    • Item icon New employee induction letter
    • Item icon New employee information sheet
    • Item icon New employee checklist
    • Item icon Fair Work Information Statement - Fair Work Ombudsman
    • Item icon Casual Employment Information Statement - Fair Work Ombudsman
    • Item icon Education and training
      Employees need a clear career path, one that may lead towards partnership or towards undertaking work with more responsibility. It may be to learn new skills by attending training courses. Not everyone needs to be aiming for something completely life-changing all the time. As long as there is a ...

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    • Item icon Continuing professional development
      In all states and territories of Australia, legal practitioners are required, as a condition of their practising certificates, to participate in compulsory professional development and training. Although the requirements are reasonably uniform, the terminology differs. In some states, the ...

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    • Item icon Work health and safety
      Employers have a duty of care at common law and also statutory obligations to their employees. Legal practitioners have additional professional obligations to uphold these and to act appropriately towards employees. Government authorities in each state provide substantial assistance, including ...

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    • Item icon Example - Flexible work policy
    • Item icon Example - Working from home policy
    • Item icon Internet usage
      An internet usage policy will assist all members of a legal practice to understand and be clear about the firm’s rules and guidelines in relation to the use of equipment, the office network, and the internet itself. Such a policy protects the firm as well as the employee. As a starting point, ...

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    • Item icon Example - Computer, email and internet usage policy
    • Folder icon Existing staff forms
      • Item icon Leave request form
      • Item icon Accident form
    • Item icon Bullying, discrimination, and harassment
      Bullying Bullying is a workplace health and safety issue.

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    • Item icon Example - Workplace discrimination bullying and harassment policy
    • Item icon Performance reviews
      The review of staff performance requires careful attention by the principal or by any appointed manager. Employee reviews should be:

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    • Item icon Performance review form
    • Item icon Staff leaving
      For some people, especially young lawyers, their career path will probably take them out of the firm. It must be accepted that sometimes, no matter how well employees are treated, no matter how highly they are valued, they need or want to move on. Although it can be frustrating as a principal to ...

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    • Item icon Example - Reference letter
    • Item icon Example - Reference letter 2
    • Item icon Example - Confirmation of employment
    • Folder icon Staff issues and termination
      • Item icon Recording the details of a meeting with an employee
      • Item icon Individual grievance procedure
  • Folder icon C. The solicitor/client relationship
    • Item icon Basis of the relationship
      The relationship between solicitor and client is multi-layered. The fundamental basis of the relationship is the retainer, which is essentially a contractual relationship that may be evidenced by a written document, oral agreements, or implied conditions. In addition, the proximity of the parties ...

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    • Item icon Application of the Australian Consumer Law
      The Australian Consumer Law, found in Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, is generic consumer protection legislation. The Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) and the rules made pursuant to it are specialised consumer protection legislation aimed solely at regulating lawyers and ...

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    • Item icon New client enquiries
      Solicitors receive many enquiries from potential clients, some of which result in opening a file and a matter proceeding, and others that do not. It is important to record any initial conversations with potential clients and retain file notes and emails whether the client proceeds to instruct the ...

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    • Item icon New client enquiry form
    • Item icon Conflicts of interest
      An actual conflict of interest between solicitor and client is in breach of the solicitor’s duty to the client. Such a conflict may arise directly, where the personal interests of the solicitor conflict with the interests of the client, or indirectly, where the interests of another of the ...

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    • Item icon Liability to third parties
      A solicitor may be liable to a third party for negligence if a duty of care can be established. This will be so even if no retainer can be established: Vagg v McPhee [2013] NSWCA 29. A third party who relied on a representation by the solicitor that the solicitor was acting on behalf of the client ...

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    • Item icon Solicitors and caveats
      It is professional misconduct to lodge a caveat on behalf of a client unless the solicitor is reasonably satisfied that the client has a legitimate interest in the land. It is not sufficient that the owner of the land owes money to the client. This does not create an interest in the land, for ...

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    • Item icon Cash
      Solicitors must make any payments from their trust account by cheque or electronic funds transfer: s 144 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW). Great care should be taken when receiving payments in cash. Failure to properly declare and account for cash puts the practitioner at risk of ...

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    • Item icon Proceeds of crime
      Solicitors must be very cautious when receiving funds from a client when there is reason to believe that those funds may have been unlawfully obtained. Dealing with such funds may amount to the crime of money laundering: R v Lustig [2004] VSC 483.

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    • Item icon Anti-money laundering
      Money laundering is a serious crime and poses serious potential risks to law firms. The firm’s anti-money laundering policy should ensure appropriate procedures are in place to reduce the risks of:

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    • Item icon Costs
      The fundamental rules relating to costs are set out in Part 4.3 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) and Part 6 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014.

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    • Folder icon Library of costs agreements - All states and territories
      • Folder icon Australian Capital Territory
        • Item icon Costs agreement - ACT
        • Item icon Costs agreement - Estate administration - ACT
        • Folder icon Library of scopes of work
          • Item icon Scale of costs in family law and child support matters
          • Item icon Scope of work - Children
          • Item icon Scope of work - Company liquidation - Acting for the creditor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Bankruptcy of individuals - Acting for the creditor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Company liquidation - Acting for the debtor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Bankruptcy of individuals - Acting for the debtor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Defamation and protecting reputation
          • Item icon Scope of work - Divorce
          • Item icon Scope of work - Employment - Contract
          • Item icon Scope of work - Employment - Unfair dismissal
          • Item icon Scope of work - Financial agreements
          • Item icon Scope of work - Immigration
          • Item icon Scope of work - Personal property securities
          • Item icon Scope of work - Property settlement
          • Item icon Scope of work - Purchase of real property
          • Item icon Scope of work - Sale of real property
          • Item icon Scope of work - Wills and lifetime planning
      • Folder icon New South Wales
        • Item icon Conditional costs agreement - NSW
        • Item icon Conditional costs agreement - Uplift fee - NSW
        • Item icon Costs agreement - NSW
        • Item icon Costs agreement - Estate administration - NSW
        • Folder icon Library of scopes of work
          • Item icon Scale of costs in family law and child support matters
          • Item icon Scope of work - Children
          • Item icon Scope of work - Company liquidation - Acting for the creditor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Bankruptcy of individuals - Acting for the creditor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Company liquidation - Acting for the debtor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Bankruptcy of individuals - Acting for the debtor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Defamation and protecting reputation
          • Item icon Scope of work - Divorce
          • Item icon Scope of work - Employment - Contract
          • Item icon Scope of work - Employment - Unfair dismissal
          • Item icon Scope of work - Financial agreements
          • Item icon Scope of work - Immigration
          • Item icon Scope of work - Leases - Acting for the lessee
          • Item icon Scope of work - Leases - Acting for the lessor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Motor vehicle accident
          • Item icon Scope of work - Personal injury claim - Acting for the defendant
          • Item icon Scope of work - Personal injury claim - Acting for the plaintiff
          • Item icon Scope of work - Personal property securities
          • Item icon Scope of work - Property settlement
          • Item icon Scope of work - Purchase of business
          • Item icon Scope of work - Purchase of real property
          • Item icon Scope of work - Retirement villages
          • Item icon Scope of work - Sale of business
          • Item icon Scope of work - Sale of real property
          • Item icon Scope of work - Security of payments - Acting for the claimant
          • Item icon Scope of work - Security of payments - Acting for the respondent
          • Item icon Scope of work - Victims rights and support
          • Item icon Scope of work - Wills and lifetime planning
          • Item icon Scope of work - Workers compensation claim
      • Folder icon Northern Territory
        • Item icon Costs agreement - NT
        • Folder icon Library of scopes of work
          • Item icon Scale of costs in family law and child support matters
          • Item icon Scope of work - Children
          • Item icon Scope of work - Company liquidation - Acting for the creditor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Bankruptcy of individuals - Acting for the creditor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Company liquidation - Acting for the debtor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Bankruptcy of individuals - Acting for the debtor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Defamation and protecting reputation
          • Item icon Scope of work - Divorce
          • Item icon Scope of work - Employment - Contract
          • Item icon Scope of work - Employment - Unfair dismissal
          • Item icon Scope of work - Financial agreements
          • Item icon Scope of work - Immigration
          • Item icon Scope of work - Personal property securities
          • Item icon Scope of work - Property settlement
          • Item icon Scope of work - Wills
      • Folder icon Queensland
        • Item icon Conditional costs agreement - QLD
        • Item icon Conditional costs agreement - Uplift fee - QLD
        • Item icon Costs agreement - QLD
        • Item icon Costs agreement - Estate administration - QLD
        • Item icon Abbreviated costs disclosure - Costs under $3000
        • Item icon Initial letter to client enclosing costs agreement
        • Folder icon Library of scopes of work
          • Item icon Scale of costs in family law and child support matters
          • Item icon Scope of work - Children
          • Item icon Scope of work - Company liquidation - Acting for the creditor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Bankruptcy of individuals - Acting for the creditor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Company liquidation - Acting for the debtor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Bankruptcy of individuals - Acting for the debtor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Defamation and protecting reputation
          • Item icon Scope of work - Divorce
          • Item icon Scope of work - Employment - Contract
          • Item icon Scope of work - Employment - Unfair dismissal
          • Item icon Scope of work - Financial agreements
          • Item icon Scope of work - Immigration
          • Item icon Scope of work - Leases - Acting for the lessee
          • Item icon Scope of work - Leases - Acting for the lessor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Motor vehicle accident
          • Item icon Scope of work - Personal injury claim - Acting for the defendant
          • Item icon Scope of work - Personal injury claim - Acting for the plaintiff
          • Item icon Scope of work - Personal property securities
          • Item icon Scope of work - Property settlement
          • Item icon Scope of work - Purchase of business
          • Item icon Scope of work - Purchase of real property
          • Item icon Scope of work - Retirement villages
          • Item icon Scope of work - Sale of business
          • Item icon Scope of work - Sale of real property
          • Item icon Scope of work - Wills and lifetime planning
          • Item icon Scope of work - Workers compensation claim
      • Folder icon South Australia
        • Item icon Costs agreement - SA
        • Item icon Costs agreement - Estate administration - SA
        • Folder icon Library of scopes of work
          • Item icon Scale of costs in family law and child support matters
          • Item icon Scope of work - Children
          • Item icon Scope of work - Company liquidation - Acting for the creditor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Bankruptcy of individuals - Acting for the creditor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Company liquidation - Acting for the debtor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Bankruptcy of individuals - Acting for the debtor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Defamation and protecting reputation
          • Item icon Scope of work - Divorce
          • Item icon Scope of work - Employment - Contract
          • Item icon Scope of work - Employment - Unfair dismissal
          • Item icon Scope of work - Financial agreements
          • Item icon Scope of work - Immigration
          • Item icon Scope of work - Leases - Acting for the lessee
          • Item icon Scope of work - Leases - Acting for the lessor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Personal property securities
          • Item icon Scope of work - Property settlement
          • Item icon Scope of work - Purchase of business
          • Item icon Scope of work - Purchase of real property
          • Item icon Scope of work - Sale of business
          • Item icon Scope of work - Sale of real property
          • Item icon Scope of work - Wills and lifetime planning
      • Folder icon Tasmania
        • Item icon Costs agreement - TAS
        • Item icon Costs agreement - Estate administration - TAS
        • Folder icon Library of scopes of work
          • Item icon Scale of costs in family law and child support matters
          • Item icon Scope of work - Children
          • Item icon Scope of work - Company liquidation - Acting for the creditor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Bankruptcy of individuals - Acting for the creditor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Company liquidation - Acting for the debtor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Bankruptcy of individuals - Acting for the debtor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Defamation and protecting reputation
          • Item icon Scope of work - Divorce
          • Item icon Scope of work - Employment - Contract
          • Item icon Scope of work - Employment - Unfair dismissal
          • Item icon Scope of work - Financial agreements
          • Item icon Scope of work - Immigration
          • Item icon Scope of work - Personal property securities
          • Item icon Scope of work - Property settlement
          • Item icon Scope of work - Purchase of real property
          • Item icon Scope of work - Sale of real property
          • Item icon Scope of work - Wills and lifetime planning
      • Folder icon Victoria
        • Item icon Conditional costs agreement - VIC
        • Item icon Conditional costs agreement - Uplift fee - VIC
        • Item icon Costs agreement - VIC
        • Item icon Costs agreement - Estate administration - VIC
        • Folder icon Library of scopes of work
          • Item icon Scale of costs in family law and child support matters
          • Item icon Scope of work - Children
          • Item icon Scope of work - Company liquidation - Acting for the creditor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Bankruptcy of individuals - Acting for the creditor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Company liquidation - Acting for the debtor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Bankruptcy of individuals - Acting for the debtor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Defamation and protecting reputation
          • Item icon Scope of work - Divorce
          • Item icon Scope of work - Employment - Contract
          • Item icon Scope of work - Employment - Unfair dismissal
          • Item icon Scope of work - Financial agreements
          • Item icon Scope of work - Immigration
          • Item icon Scope of work - Leases - Acting for the lessee
          • Item icon Scope of work - Leases - Acting for the lessor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Personal injury claim - Acting for the defendant
          • Item icon Scope of work - Personal injury claim - Acting for the plaintiff
          • Item icon Scope of work - Personal property securities
          • Item icon Scope of work - Property settlement
          • Item icon Scope of work - Purchase of business
          • Item icon Scope of work - Purchase of real property
          • Item icon Scope of work - Retirement villages
          • Item icon Scope of work - Sale of business
          • Item icon Scope of work - Sale of real property
          • Item icon Scope of work - Transport Accident Commission claims
          • Item icon Scope of work - Wills and lifetime planning
      • Folder icon Western Australia
        • Item icon Conditional costs agreement - WA
        • Item icon Conditional costs agreement - Uplift fee - WA
        • Item icon Costs agreement - WA
        • Item icon Costs agreement - Estate administration - WA
        • Folder icon Library of scopes of work
          • Item icon Scale of costs in family law and child support matters
          • Item icon Scope of work - Children
          • Item icon Scope of work - Company liquidation - Acting for the creditor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Bankruptcy of individuals - Acting for the creditor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Company liquidation - Acting for the debtor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Bankruptcy of individuals - Acting for the debtor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Defamation and protecting reputation
          • Item icon Scope of work - Divorce
          • Item icon Scope of work - Employment - Contract
          • Item icon Scope of work - Employment - Unfair dismissal
          • Item icon Scope of work - Financial agreements
          • Item icon Scope of work - Immigration
          • Item icon Scope of work - Leases - Acting for the lessee
          • Item icon Scope of work - Leases - Acting for the lessor
          • Item icon Scope of work - Personal property securities
          • Item icon Scope of work - Property settlement
          • Item icon Scope of work - Purchase of business
          • Item icon Scope of work - Purchase of real property
          • Item icon Scope of work - Restraining order
          • Item icon Scope of work - Sale of business
          • Item icon Scope of work - Sale of real property
          • Item icon Scope of work - Wills and lifetime planning
      • Folder icon Conveyancers costs diclosure
        • Item icon Conveyancers costs disclosure - NSW
        • Item icon Conveyancers costs disclosure - NT
        • Item icon Conveyancers costs disclosure - SA
        • Item icon Conveyancers costs disclosure - TAS
        • Item icon Conveyancers costs disclosure - VIC
    • Folder icon Example invoices incorporating notification of rights
      • Item icon Example invoice incorporating notification of client's rights - NSW
      • Item icon Example invoice incorporating notification of client's rights - VIC
      • Item icon Example invoice incorporating notification of client's rights - QLD
      • Item icon Example invoice incorporating notification of client's rights - SA
      • Item icon Example invoice incorporating notification of client's rights - TAS
      • Item icon Example invoice incorporating notification of client's rights - ACT
      • Item icon Example invoice incorporating notification of client's rights - NT
      • Item icon Example invoice incorporating notification of client's rights - WA
    • Folder icon If required - Updating costs disclosure
      • Item icon Letter to client updating costs disclosure
      • Item icon Charge securing costs
      • Item icon Guarantee securing costs
      • Folder icon Costs disclosure before settlement in litigation matters
        • Item icon Letter to client - Costs disclosure before settlement - NSW, VIC, and WA
        • Item icon Letter to client - Costs disclosure before settlement - QLD, SA, TAS, ACT, and NT
    • Item icon Legal professional privilege
      Communications between solicitor and client are privileged if the communication was confidential and made for the dominant purpose of giving legal advice or use in existing or anticipated legal proceedings. Privilege may exist under either common law or the uniform evidence law where applicable. In ...

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    • Item icon Client satisfaction survey
    • Item icon Letter to client enclosing survey
    • Item icon Letter to client when no instructions to act
  • Folder icon D. Ethics
    • Item icon Ethics and professional responsibility
      The ethical obligations of lawyers are based on the obligations assumed by all members of a civilised society and extended because of the special relationship that the lawyer has with society as a member of the profession which establishes and administers society’s laws. An obligation to practice ...

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    • Item icon Ethical duties
      The lawyer’s ethical duties can be divided into three categories:

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    • Item icon How to identify an ethical issue
      The existence of an ethical issue will often be self-evident. The vast majority of lawyers will feel a sense of unease when an ethical issue arises, even if, in the early stages of development of that problem, they cannot identify the exact nature of the problem. Experience provides that the best ...

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  • Folder icon E. Policies, management and planning
    • Item icon Managing firm information
      The flexible nature of LEAP allows firms to open specific matters to administer firm practice management and compliance issues. Managing the actual business of the firm in this way provides for readily accessible information, all in one place, and restricted to relevant members of the team as ...

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    • Item icon Legal practice health check self-diagnostic tool
      The Legal Practice Health Check Self-Diagnostic Tool is based on a Lawcover Risk Management Health Check developed to reflect risk scenarios drawn from actual professional negligence claims against solicitors and has been developed and expanded on with Lawcover’s permission. The first step for ...

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    • Item icon Legal practice health check self-diagnostic tool
    • Item icon Strategy and leadership
      Leadership is the key. If the strategic framework is developed only as a hypothetical standard or a management tool and is not driven by the principal and the leadership team, the result is more likely to be cynicism, poor morale, and negativity. The firm’s performance and purpose will suffer if ...

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    • Item icon Example - Mission statement
    • Item icon The business plan
      It is essential to have a business plan. Failing to plan is planning to fail. After using the Legal Practice Health Check Self-Diagnostic Tool found in the A. The business plan folder on the matter plan, the next step is to incorporate the data it provides into a business plan for the practice.

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    • Item icon Example - Business plan
    • Item icon Example - Risk management policy
    • Item icon Example - Corporate social responsibility policy
    • Item icon Marketing
      Everything the firm does Branding and marketing are part of everything a firm does. It is not a separate function or someone else’s responsibility. A firm has thousands of opportunities to connect with clients each year:

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    • Item icon Marketing planner
  • Folder icon F. Financial management
    • Item icon Fee earner productivity
      Within the legal practice, the fee earners must be assessed for their contribution to profitability. Key performance indicators can be used as benchmarks. These might include file volume, file velocity, the quality of the work, contribution to client relationship management, and development or ...

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    • Item icon Business performance chart
    • Item icon Superannuation contributions
      Currently compulsory contributions are to be made for employees, and these are presently payable as a percentage of the gross wage. See the Australian Taxation Office’s current rates of the Super guarantee percentage. An employee is eligible if they:

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    • Item icon Asset register
      An asset register allows for the tracking of fixed assets from purchase through to disposal and provides an estimate of their worth. It assists with taxation, insurance, and potential sale of business compliance. It provides an appropriate place to record detailed information, for example, serial ...

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    • Item icon Asset register
    • Item icon Asset register entry slip
    • Item icon Bookkeeping for beginners
      The origins of double-entry bookkeeping Luca Pacioli was born in 1445 and was a good friend of Leonardo Da Vinci. A learned fellow, Pacioli wrote and taught in many fields including mathematics, theology, architecture, games, military strategy, and commerce. He is described by many as the father of ...

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    • Item icon Accounting software
      It is important that good accounting computer software is purchased and the firm’s records maintained by a competent bookkeeper or accountant. The most popular computer software programs in use by small business today are Xero, Quicken, and MYOB. Prior to selection, it might be wise for the ...

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    • Item icon Petty cash reconciliation sheet
    • Item icon Manual bank reconciliation precedent
    • Folder icon Trust Accounting
      • Item icon Authority for trust account withdrawal by electronic funds transfer
      • Item icon The trust account – New South Wales
        The simplest way to comply with state trust account regulations is to use an approved accounting software package with appropriate written delegations and procedures for the handling of trust money. All accounting records are required to be accurate, up-to-date, and regularly monitored. The Trust ...

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      • Folder icon Trust accounting forms - Law Society NSW
        • Item icon Notification of appointment or cessation of external examiner
        • Item icon Notification of authorised signatories as at 1 July
        • Item icon Notification of closure of general trust account
        • Item icon Notification of opening a general trust account
        • Item icon Request for determination of statutory deposit
      • Item icon The trust account – Victoria
        The simplest way to comply with state trust account regulations is to use an approved accounting software package with appropriate written delegations and procedures for the handling of trust money. All accounting records are required to be accurate, up-to-date and regularly monitored. See the ...

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      • Folder icon Trust accounting forms - Legal Services Board VIC
        • Item icon Legal Services Board
        • Item icon Appointing an external examiner
        • Item icon Investment money register
        • Item icon Law practice confirmation – Part A
        • Item icon Law practice statement of trust money – Part B
        • Item icon Notification of trust account details
        • Item icon Record of controlled money movements
        • Item icon Record of controlled money movements, other than by EFT
      • Item icon The trust account – Queensland
        The simplest way to comply with state trust account regulations is to use an approved accounting software package with appropriate written delegations and procedures for the handling of trust money. All accounting records are required to be accurate, up-to-date, and regularly monitored. The ...

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      • Folder icon Trust accounting forms - Queensland
        • Item icon Notice of appointment or replacement of external examiner – Form 31 (LPA)
        • Item icon Notification provided by external examiner of ceasing to be external examiner – Form 32 (LPA)
        • Item icon Notification provided by law practice of cessation of external examiner – Non-prescribed form
        • Item icon Statutory declaration – Ceasing to hold trust money – Form 33 (LPA)
      • Item icon The trust account – South Australia
        The simplest way to comply with state trust account regulations is to use an approved accounting software package with appropriate written delegations and procedures for handling trust money. All accounting records must be accurate, up-to-date, and regularly monitored. The Ethics Enquiry Service of ...

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      • Folder icon Trust accounting forms - Law Society SA
        • Item icon Application to resign or remove external examiner
        • Item icon Legal practice 2015 trust account signatories notification - members only
        • Item icon Notice of appointment of external examiner – Law practice
      • Item icon The trust account – Western Australia
        The simplest way to comply with state trust account regulations is to use an approved accounting software package with appropriate written delegations and procedures for the handling of trust money. All accounting records are required to be accurate, up-to-date, and regularly monitored. See the ...

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      • Folder icon Trust accounting forms - Legal Practice Board WA
        • Item icon Notification of appointment or termination of external examiner
        • Item icon Notification of opening or closing of a trust account
  • Item icon Comments and suggestions for By Lawyers

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