Law Firm Practice Management and Professional Practice
Core concepts
Practice management covers the organisational and financial side of an advocatenkantoor. Know the requirements for the stichting derdengelden, the separated client account, and the rules on the financial administration. Study the Verordening op de Advocatuur provisions on kantoororganisatie, the verplichte klachtenregeling, and the beroepsaansprakelijkheidsverzekering. Know the rules on samenwerking between advocates and other professionals, and the requirements for a samenwerkingsverband.
Understand the duty to keep proper client files, the rules on confidentiality in a shared office, and the requirements for a good klachten- en geschillenregeling. Know the rules on fee agreements, including the verplichte opgave of costs and the rules on no cure no pay. Also know the rules on the bewaartermijn of client files and the duty to return documents.
Traps
Questions often test whether a fee arrangement is permitted, especially where it is result-dependent. Another trap is confusing the klachtenregeling with the tuchtrecht procedure. Watch questions on whether a kantoor may share client information with a third party for marketing purposes.
Worked rule of thumb
For any practice-management question, identify the applicable norm (Verordening, Advocatenwet, or Gedragsregels), then ask whether the arrangement protects the client's interests and the advocate's independence.
Key points
- Know the rules on the stichting derdengelden and client accounts.