Solicitors, is it time for a spring clean? 

Solicitors, is it time for a spring clean? 

It’s the season for cleaning up, sorting out and getting on top of all those jobs you’ve put off during the dark days of winter – no more excuses solicitors – it’s time for a spring clean!  

With the start of the new tax year this month, there’s never been a better reason to crack on with your admin. and tidy your files up so that you can get down to your legal work, free from that nagging feeling that you really should sort things out.  

Solicitors’ spring clean checklist 

The best approach is to dive straight in. Start by cleaning up your WIP, deal with old debts (even if that means writing them off) and make sure all your post completion matters are as finalised as they can be.  

• Are there physical files you need to send to storage or shred?  
• Do you need to weed your inbox?  
• Is it time to audit any personal data you hold and delete out-of-date information?  
• Check you don’t have money languishing in client accounts that needs to be returned.  
• Have you recorded all relevant activity in your CPD records – have you done enough to satisfy your SRA obligations? 

• And finally, don’t forget to deal with your own bills – make sure you haven’t forgotten to pay anyone for disbursements etc.!  

How do self-employed solicitors manage their admin.? 

 It’s amazing how much admin. is generated by legal services work and keeping on top of it isn’t usually just a one-person job. If you’re thinking about becoming a self-employed consultant, you need to consider how you will deal with all the non-fee earning tasks that are involved with carrying out client work?  

These are not optional – compliance and regulatory requirements must be observed, for example in relation to file opening and closing, but clients won’t necessarily want to pay for these things to be done.  

Options could be to use a virtual (remote) PA or to try and muddle through on your own – but each has its practical and financial downsides.  

However, platforms such as Nexa take care of many of the back-office tasks that can take up so much time and cut into fee earning hours including arranging insurance, carrying out client due diligence and billing.  

At Nexa we have a fantastic support team who are just an email or phone call away, helping our consultants keep top of their admin. throughout the year to avoid things piling up. 

What are you waiting for? It’s time to spring into action! 

Ready to find out more? 

If you’re interested in finding out a bit more about life as a consultant lawyer and what we can offer you at Nexa , check out our careers pages here or, have a look at our brochure. For a confidential, no obligation chat, contact David Roth. 

–Eliot Hibbert, COO & Founder