Record all time spent on client and non-client matters in detail, including thinking time, regardless of whether the work is done in or outside the office. Regularly review time sheets to ensure accurate accounting of all work done at a manageable pace. Detailed time sheets may be subject to cross-examination in legal proceedings to demonstrate consideration of tasks.

1. Time recording,
not time billing
Record everything you do.
The billing bit comes later.
Don’t record the work or discount your time to
fit what you think
the client can afford.

2. Time flies when
you are having fun
Keep track of all your time.
Capture this time, record it –
no matter whether this is done
in the office or outside.

3. Thinking time
Thinking about a matter,
the implications of a proposed step,
is what legal work is about.
Capture this time, record it –
no matter whether this is done
in the office or outside.

4. Record everything
Do the work properly,
record each detailed
task on all client and
non-client matters.

5. Just a letter?
It’s never that simple…
✓ Receiving and settling the draft
reviewing ✓ Liaising with
✓ Reviewing the file the client
✓ Considering ✓ Recall and
implications next steps
✓ Drafting a reply
✓ Discussing and

6. The beauty is in the detail
Be proud of your work.
Account for all your time;
be proud of the detail you take.

7. Don’t be too busy
Work at a pace where you can attend to each
matter and task effectively. Otherwise delegate
or ask for help.

8. Review
Regularly record your time
(mid morning, lunch, mid afternoon
and at the end of the day).

9. Time sheets and
cross examination
If the firm is sued you may be cross examined
on your time sheets.
The cross examination is not as to what is on
the time sheet but what it represents. If you
record minimal time for each task you may find
that what is put to you is that you didn’t give
that task proper consideration.