Report comment

Unrealistic billing targets not only impose strain and stress on staff particularly junior staff but are a recipe for exaggeration of time spent, dissatisfied clients with complaints of over billing and substantial reductions on cost assessments. They are also a disincentive for staff to spend time on marketing and personal development. Hope the partners in this law firm sit down and reflect on what this SDT Judgment says about their firm and its culture. Agree with other contributors that the firm should give serious consideration to paying this individual's costs as a 1st step towards publically recognising a real need for a change in their culture. 2nd step would be to bring in an independent professional to talk in absolute confidence with staff so that the partners get anonymised feedback on how the staff really feel and what changes are needed.