Flexible working remains

Back in May, the Journal sat down with Scott Stephenson, solicitor at Complete Clarity Solicitors to discuss the reasons why he championed a four-day working week. 

It was still very much in the trial process back then, but last week Complete Clarity Solicitors and Simplicity Legal announced that they had witnessed turnover increase and deemed the pilot successful, leading to it being embedded permanently in the practice, and for all team members.

You can read more about why Scott initiated the discussions around a trial four-day working week here.

The firm, which has established its own unique corporate culture and a reputation for staff development and retention, has upped staff numbers from 22 in September 2022 to 30 last month.

Billy Smith, Director of Complete Clarity Solicitors and Simplicity Legal, said: “Our focus in the year has been to make the four-day working week a permanent part of our approach to professional practice.

“We found throughout the pilot that the option to work condensed hours, with Mondays or Fridays off, boosted both our productivity and team spirit, so we decided this was an advantage we would need to make permanent.

“I’m not sure how many legal practices operate on the same four-day-week basis as we do, but since we have also found it a tremendous aid to the recruitment of quality staff, I’d suggest they may be missing out.

“Our numbers, uplifted turnover in the year, show that by driving towards the best working environment encourages our staff to deliver exceptional service levels and, ultimately, high-level client satisfaction.”

In January this year the firm moved to a departmental structure: family law, dispute resolution, housing, private client, employment, and business and property. This delineation has also aided retention and recruitment as well as finding favour with clients who now find it easier to identify the firm’s strengths.

Emma King, Director of Complete Clarity Solicitors and Simplicity Legal, said: “We had our best quarter’s trading ever this year and anticipate that this will continue as we make consistent incremental improvements in the expertise of our legal team and enhance the quality of our offering to clients.”

Scott also very kindly spoke to the Journal earlier this year, discussing how his previous career as a professional footballer now plays into his legal work. Give it a read.