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Law Firm Launch Programme · Stage 1 of 9
Starting Your Law Firm
Put the practical foundations in place — banking, insurance, software, email and phone — before you take on your first matter.
How long
Your first week
You’ll have
A firm set up to trade
Steps
5 steps
Resources
4 resources
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01 Step 01
Step 01
Open a business bank account
Keep firm money separate from your own from day one.
Do it yourself
- Open a business current account in the firm’s name.
- If you’ll hold client money, open a separate client account that meets your regulator’s rules.
- Apply early — approval can take several days.
Common mistake · Running everything through a personal account for the first few months — untangling it later is slow and looks careless.
TimeA few days CostFree–£15/mo DifficultyEasyResource for this step
CHECKLISTBank & client account checklist
What to have ready and what to ask for.
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02 Step 02
Step 02
Arrange professional indemnity insurance
You need cover in place before you act for a single client.
Do it yourself
- Talk to a broker who knows the legal market.
- Get quotes early — underwriting takes longer than you expect.
- Check the minimum level and terms for how you practise.
Common mistake · Leaving PII to the last minute and finding you can’t take on work when you’re ready.
Time1–2 weeks CostVaries DifficultyMediumResource for this step
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03 Step 03
Step 03
Choose practice-management software
One system for matters, time, billing and records saves hours every week.
Do it yourself
- Shortlist two or three tools built for law firms, not generic ones.
- Check it handles your accounting obligations.
- Take the free trials before you commit.
Common mistake · Picking a generic CRM that can’t handle legal accounting, then migrating later.
Time2–3 days CostFrom ~£30/user/mo DifficultyMediumResource for this step
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04 Step 04
Step 04
Set up email on your own domain
An address at your own domain reads far more credibly than a free inbox — and lands in more inboxes.
Do it yourself
- Set up mailboxes on your firm’s domain.
- Add SPF, DKIM and DMARC so your mail is trusted.
- Test that your email reaches the inbox, not spam.
Common mistake · Sending client email from a free @gmail address — it undercuts trust and hurts deliverability.
Time~1 hour CostFrom ~£5/user/mo DifficultyEasyResource for this step
CHECKLISTEmail setup checklist
Mailboxes and the records that keep you out of spam.
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05 Step 05
Step 05
Sort a business phone line
A dedicated number keeps work and personal calls apart and lets you switch off in the evening.
Do it yourself
- Get a VoIP number so you’re not tied to a desk phone.
- Set up voicemail and simple call handling.
- Publish the number consistently everywhere.
Common mistake · Using your personal mobile as the firm number, then never being off the clock.
Time~1 hour CostFrom ~£10/mo DifficultyEasy
What you’ll have after this stage
- A business bank account (plus a compliant client account if you hold client money)
- Professional indemnity cover in place
- Practice-management software chosen and trialled
- Email running on your own domain
- A dedicated business phone line