Counting the Hours


We fail to understand why there is little that law firms can do to significantly reduce the work-loads of their lawyers (see [2007] Gazette, 8 March, 18).



They can recruit more lawyers for a start. Yes, this will increase overheads but we should question some of the astronomical profits made by some of the City firms, not to mention the similarly high fees. Some solicitors are required to do up to eight chargeable hours per day, which involves at least ten to 12 actual hours. This is madness.



Of course lawyers may have to work long hours to finish urgent work, and sometimes have to be available for clients out of hours, but this should not be on a continuous basis and a period of long hours should be followed by a break or at least shorter hours. We can honestly say that we rarely work more than a seven-hour day and have long holidays too. There are no dormitories here.



Long hours make money but not good lawyers. We act for many lawyers, mainly women, who challenge the long-hours culture with discrimination claims and leave with a pay-off and hopefully a better work/life balance. Some remain but accept, reluctantly, they will never make partners because they work part-time. No wonder that 40% of male solicitors are partners, compared to just 18% of women.



Litigation is not the answer to these problems in the long term but more lawyers, both men and women, should be challenging the long-hours culture, and clients need to realise that lawyers too have a life outside their work and will be better lawyers as a result. Anyway, in our experience, clients understand that quality is worth waiting for.



Camilla Palmer and Joanna Wade, Palmer Wade, London