Free Lawyer Timesheet Template
Law firms typically bill in six-minute units, meaning every task from a two-minute call to a full day of drafting must be recorded precisely. A proper timesheet captures the matter reference, activity type, and time spent so invoices can be prepared accurately and defended if questioned. Regulators in many jurisdictions also require solicitors to maintain contemporaneous time records.
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What should a lawyer put on a timesheet?
A lawyer timesheet records billable time in short increments against each matter, with the date, the task, and the time spent. Note the matter reference, the activity, and a clear description of the work. Detailed, dated entries support the bill to the client and meet the breakdown many legal invoices require.
Typical line items
- Date of work
- Matter or file reference
- Activity (drafting, call, attendance, research)
- Time spent (in six-minute increments)
- Billable or non-billable flag
- Fee earner
- Hourly rate
- Running total for the matter
How the work is charged
Lawyers usually log time by the hour in short increments, often six minutes, against each matter. The timesheet feeds the bill, whether charged hourly to the client or recorded against a fixed fee for the firm's records.
Payment terms and deposits
A timesheet supports an invoice rather than collecting payment itself. Firms commonly bill recorded time monthly or at the end of a matter, so keep entries dated and described well enough to stand up to client scrutiny.
Tax and compliance
If you are registered for sales tax or VAT, that applies on the invoice the timesheet supports, not the timesheet itself. Confirm the rules that apply to your practice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard billing unit for lawyers?
Most law firms bill in increments of six minutes, which equals one tenth of an hour. A task that takes four minutes is rounded up to six minutes, and a task that takes ten minutes is billed as two units. Some firms use fifteen-minute increments, so check your firm's billing policy.
Do I need to record non-billable time on my timesheet?
Yes. Recording non-billable time, such as firm administration, marketing, or pro bono work, helps you understand your actual utilisation rate and ensures the firm has a complete picture of how time is spent. Keep billable and non-billable rows clearly separated.
Can I charge for reading emails from a client?
Yes, reading and responding to client correspondence is billable time. Record each piece of correspondence as a separate entry with the time spent, particularly if replies required substantive legal analysis. Brief acknowledgements are often rounded to the minimum billing unit.
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Read the complete timesheet guide to see how to log hours and turn a tracked timesheet into an invoice.
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