{"id":7215,"date":"2025-07-17T11:07:40","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T11:07:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mintformations.co.uk\/blog\/?page_id=7215"},"modified":"2025-07-17T11:07:44","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T11:07:44","slug":"how-to-start-a-legal-firm","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mintformations.co.uk\/blog\/how-to-start-a-legal-firm\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Start a Legal Firm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Small start-up legal practices are on the rise, with lawyers setting up law firms across the country, attracted by the benefits of being self-employed and the potential to profit directly from their own effort, rather than working long hours and making money for other business owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2019, 523 applications were made to the Solicitors Regulation Authority for a licence to open a firm \u2014 5% of the 10,399 firms registered with the regulator. This number is expected to keep growing, but running a successful law firm is no easy task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wondering how to start a legal firm? Find out what skills you need, the different paths you can take, important considerations to keep in mind and how to legally establish your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Qualifications Do You Need to Be a Lawyer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To practise law in the UK, you usually start by studying for a degree. This degree can be in law or a different subject, followed by a law conversion course or graduate law degree. After the degree, you will need specific vocational qualifications and in-work training to practise as a lawyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As well as educational qualifications and training, you will also need business management skills if you want to open your own legal firm. Running a business is very different from practising law. You will need advanced skills such as leadership, presentation, strategic thinking and project management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting a Legal Firm: What Options Are Available?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Starting a legal firm is an increasingly popular career choice, so you\u2019ll need passion and drive to set yourself apart from the competition. To get started, you\u2019ll need to decide from the three options below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Buy an Existing Firm<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Many current small law firms are owned by \u201cbaby boomers\u201d who have not given their succession plan or retirement much thought. It may prove to be less costly to buy one of these existing firms instead of building a client list from nothing. It can be a good idea to purchase a practice and keep the original owner as a consultant.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Start Your Legal Firm from Scratch<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Many lawyers like the idea of being self-employed and making money directly without having the ability to reach the targets and demands set by clients. The option of starting your own legal firm from scratch is a good idea for lawyers who have the skills as well as the entrepreneurial drive needed to start a business.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Self-Employed Consultancy<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Freelance consultancy is becoming increasingly popular because it allows you to provide services to one or more existing law firms as a\u00a0wholly-owned service company\u00a0<\/a>or as a\u00a0sole trader\u00a0<\/a>. The firm you work for will get a percentage of the fees you earn. Normally the percentage the firms take will range between 20% to 40% of the work you carry out for clients.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    How to Start a Legal Firm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    There is a lot to consider when starting a firm. You\u2019ll need to create a solid business plan to help organise each step of the way. Here are several aspects to include in your business plan:<\/p>\n\n\n\n