There are two types of premises for law office

  • PURPOSE BUILT OFFICE ACCOMMODATION: There are many purpose built office accommodation in metropolitan cities, state capitals and semi-urban areas. They are always expensive and successful lawyers usually take this type. These are buildings purposely built for use as law office

  • EXISTING BUILDING: A practitioner can convert an existing building into a law office. They may however need considerable modification to meet the requirement of an office because most of them are designed for residential use and are usually not conducive

Law office environment: the law office is best located in a serene and neat environment. It should be a place that is easily accessible to prospective clients.
How to find a law office: a law office can be found through personal search, use of agents, use of friends and colleagues, placing advertisements in newspapers and journals and looking up adverts placed in newspapers.

LAW OFFICE STAFF
Legal work is carried out in a law office by its staff.

There are two types of staff and they are:

  • FEE EARNERS (lawyers): These are practitioners in the law office who earn fees for the firm. The number of practitioners in the law office depends on the size and type of office.

  • SUPPORT STAFF: These are people who assist lawyers in the office. The number and type of supporting staff required in law office depends on the firm and the available infrastructure. E.g librarian, accountants, secretary, cleaners, receptionist, driver, typist, litigation clerk, security guards e.t.c.

Procedure for Selection of Staff In a Law Firm

Selection can be made by

  • Test, interview
  • Qualification as assumption of competence

Employment Letter and it's Contents

The Letter of employment and its contents. The following are its contents:

  • Job title
  • Description/ Job description
  • Date of employment
  • Location of staff
  • Working hours
  • Remuneration
  • Gratuity
  • Pension and other entitlement
  • Annual leave
  • Sickness and incapacity
  • Termination of employment
  • Pension and other entitlement
  • Restraint of trade
  • Summary dismissal