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Law Firm Launch Programme · Stage 9 of 9
Deliver Your First Matters
Take your first matters from instruction to a settled bill and a client who would recommend you.
How long
Weeks per matter
You’ll have
A first matter delivered, billed, and paid
Steps
5 steps
Resources
2 resources
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01 Step 01
Step 01
Run the matter to a good standard
Do the work to the scope you agreed, and confirm any change in writing before you act on it.
Do it yourself
- Work to the scope in your engagement letter, and keep it tight.
- When a client asks for more, confirm the change and the cost in writing first.
- Diary the key dates and review points so nothing drifts.
- Keep the file in order as you go, not at the end.
Common mistake · Scope creep you never confirm or charge for, until the matter runs long and unpaid.
TimeWeeks per matter CostYour time DifficultyMedium -
02 Step 02
Step 02
Keep the client informed
Poor communication is the most common reason clients complain, and the easiest to get right.
Do it yourself
- Agree at the outset how often you will update them, and on what.
- Do it, even when the update is that nothing has changed yet.
- Reply to messages within a day, or say when you will.
Common mistake · Going quiet on a matter, so the client chases you and then queries the bill.
TimeOngoing CostFree DifficultyEasy -
03 Step 03
Step 03
Bill for your work
A bill a client understands gets paid faster than one they have to query.
Do it yourself
- Set out what you did, the agreed basis of charge, disbursements, and whether VAT applies.
- Use interim bills on longer matters so cash flow stays steady.
- Bill promptly, not weeks after the work is done.
- Follow the current SRA Accounts Rules for billing and client money. This is a signpost, not advice.
Common mistake · Under-billing, or delaying the bill to dodge an awkward conversation, which starves a young firm of cash.
Time~1 hour per bill CostFree DifficultyMediumResource for this step
CHECKLISTA bill that gets paid
Make each bill clear, prompt and compliant, so it settles instead of stalling.
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04 Step 04
Step 04
Get paid
A bill is not income until it is paid, and a fee past ninety days is a fee at risk.
Do it yourself
- Set payment terms and make them visible on the bill.
- Chase promptly and politely the moment payment is due.
- Keep an eye on aged debt rather than letting it build quietly.
- Agree money on account up front where a matter warrants it, within the client-money rules.
Common mistake · Doing the work, then leaving the invoice unchased for months because chasing feels uncomfortable.
TimeOngoing CostFree DifficultyMedium -
05 Step 05
Step 05
Close the matter and learn from it
A matter delivered well is your best marketing, and a closed file is a clean record.
Do it yourself
- Confirm the work is done, return anything the client is owed, and store the file to your retention policy.
- Send a short closing note so the client knows the matter is complete.
- Ask the happy clients for a review and a referral.
- Record where each instruction came from and what it was worth.
Common mistake · Never asking for the review, and never noticing which sources actually bring paying work.
Time~30 min per matter CostFree DifficultyEasyResource for this step
PDFMonthly review template
A five-minute page to fill in each month, so you can see what actually brings paying work.
What you’ll have after this stage
- A matter run to the scope you agreed
- A clear bill a client understands and pays
- Payment terms and a habit of chasing on time
- A closed file, with a review or referral asked for
- A simple record of where your work comes from