Planning for the unexpected

Business Continuity Planning

Please note that this item was written prior to the introduction of the SRA Handbook on 6 October 2011. Some of the references are to regulations and rules which no longer apply. This item will be reviewed and updated shortly. Until then, please refer also to the SRA Handbook.

Introduction

Experience should teach us one thing, if nothing else, and that is to expect the unexpected. Events do not always turn out as you planned and there are a thousand and one things that can go wrong, and, as Murphy’s Law states “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong”.

As the provider of a legal service, your clients should be able to expect that you will be available when you are needed. They are entitled to rely upon the fact that your practice will be up and running effectively no matter what; that if you have a deadline to meet, a transaction to complete or a court hearing to attend, that you will be there to attend to their interests.

That is where Business Continuity Planning comes into play – having in place a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) providing a process whereby, if the unthinkable happens, you can still function effectively as a provider of legal services.

This article looks at the business reasons behind putting in place a BCP and the benefits which can be derived from doing so whilst the next article considers the steps which you will need to take to implement such a plan.

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Contact the Lawyers Defence Group

If you require further information about business continuity planning, or help with implementing a BCP within your practice then the Lawyers Defence Group can assist you.

For further information, or to contact the Lawyers Defence Group about business continuity planning:

  • phone on 0333 888 4070
  • email on help [Email address: help #AT# lawyersdefencegroup.org.uk - replace #AT# with @ ]
  • request a callback using the form in the right hand menu and someone will call you back at a pre-arranged time
  • write to Lawyers Defence Group, Richard Nelson LLP, 8 The Courtyard, 707 Warwick Road, Solihull, West Midlands, B91 1TT