What is the Practice Management Guide?
The Practice Management Guide (“Guide”) is a core reference manual published by the Law Society that sets out best-practice systems, processes, and templates to help law practices manage their operations effectively across areas such as governance, finance, risk management, client care, and file administration. Its purpose is to provide a practical framework that supports consistent, compliant, and professional legal practice management, while allowing law practices to adapt the guidance to their unique organisational needs.
Structure of the Practice Management Guide 2017
The Practice Management Guide 2017 (“Guide 2017”) was re-issued in February 2026 (“Re-issued Guide 2017”) with a refreshed two-part structure:
Practice Management Guide 2017 (Reissued 3 Feb 2026)
The Re-issued Guide 2017 contains margin notes indicating the sections that must be read together with Addendum 2026-01 (and any further Addendums if applicable).
The Re-issued Guide 2017 remains the core reference for office policies, templates and practice systems across general management, finance, risk, client care, case and file management.
Sections that have been superseded, amended, or deleted are clearly flagged within the document to guide users to the updated policies contained in the Addendum(s).
Addendum 2026-01 to the Practice Management Guide 2017
Addendum 2026-01 contains an informal consolidation of updates to the Guide 2017. It brings together key developments in law practice management, regulatory requirements, and professional standards that have emerged since the Guide 2017’s publication.
Addendum 2026-01 is a two-part update that: (A) replaces specified provisions of the Practice Management Guide 2017, and (B) provides supplementary resources (model clauses, checklists and templates) issued after 2017.
While the Re-issued Guide 2017 remains the foundational reference for law practices, the Addendum(s) should be read alongside the Re-issued Guide 2017. Where the information in the Addendum(s) differs from that in the Re-issued Guide 2017, please follow the consolidated updates provided in the Addendum(s) to ensure that current practice is followed.
You may view a short video summary of the Re-issued Guide 2017 and Addendum 2026-01 here (please note that the video is for Law Society members only).
Feedback
Members who wish to provide feedback on any aspect of the Re-issued Guide 2017 or the Addendum(s), including areas that may benefit from clarification or enhancement, may contact the Law Society’s Knowledge Management Department at km@lawsoc.org.sg.
Download the Guide and Addendum(s)
Click on the links to download the Practice Management Guide and its Addendum(s) (please note that these resources are for Law Society members only).