The verdict in three sentences
Custom case-management software for a law firm costs between 45 000 and 140 000 EUR in 2026, depending on billing depth and integrations. The value core is the trio matters - time - billing: it turns untracked hours into fees. A first operational scope ships in 4 to 7 months for a firm of 5 to 40 lawyers.
The real stake: stop losing billable hours
In many firms, part of the work is never recorded, so never billed. Time tracking embedded in the matter, with quick entry and reminders, recovers that material. Add flexible billing (fixed fee, hourly, retainer, subscription) and conflict-of-interest checks, and the tool funds its own evolutions.
The matter-management connector and procedural DMS complete the picture, but the immediate financial return comes from the time-entry + billing pair.
Legal modules and cost (2026 order of magnitude)
| Module | Scope | Cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core + roles + security | Lawyers, associates, secretariat, audit | 8 000 - 14 000 EUR | 3-4 wks |
| Matter management | Parties, deadlines, documents, history | 9 000 - 18 000 EUR | 4-6 wks |
| Time tracking | Quick entry, timer, matter allocation | 6 000 - 12 000 EUR | 3-4 wks |
| Fixed-fee/hourly billing | Fees, retainers, VAT, reminders | 8 000 - 18 000 EUR | 4-6 wks |
| Conflict checks | Party verification, alerts | 4 000 - 9 000 EUR | 2-3 wks |
| Court-filing connector | Procedural tracking, filings | 6 000 - 15 000 EUR | 3-5 wks |
| Secure client portal | Document sharing, deadlines | 8 000 - 18 000 EUR | 4-6 wks |
A core of Matters + Time tracking + Billing lands around 28 000 to 45 000 EUR, with other modules added in iterations.
Options that move the budget
| Option | Budget impact |
|---|---|
| Multi-currency / international billing | +5 000 to +11 000 EUR |
| Mobile time-entry app | +10 000 to +18 000 EUR |
| eIDAS e-signature | +4 000 to +9 000 EUR |
| Per-partner profitability dashboard | +6 000 to +12 000 EUR |
| Sovereign hosting + hardened confidentiality | +200 to +600 EUR/month |
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Mini case study
Mr. Lenoir runs a 9-lawyer firm in Bordeaux. An internal audit reveals about 8 % of work is never billed for lack of recording. He invests 42 000 EUR in a Matters + Time tracking + Billing core. With an average hourly rate of 180 EUR and 9 lawyers billing about 1 200 hours a year, recovering even 6 points of lost time represents roughly 116 000 EUR of additional annual billing. The tool pays for itself within months and durably improves profitability steering.
FAQ
Does time tracking slow lawyers down? Well designed, it relies on a timer and one-click entry from the matter; adoption follows because every recorded hour becomes a billable hour.
Can we bill fixed fee and hourly at once? Yes, a custom billing engine handles fixed fee, hourly, retainers and subscriptions on the same matter, with automated reminders.
Is a court-filing connector essential? It depends on your practice; litigation gains real time from it, pure advisory less so. Budget 6 000 to 15 000 EUR.
How is confidential data protected? Encryption, per-matter partitioning, audit log and optional sovereign hosting safeguard professional secrecy.
Do we own the software? Yes, the code is yours and evolves with the firm, with no per-user license or vendor lock-in.
Let's scope your project. Give us firm size, billing model and priorities, and we'll price a core that recovers your lost hours. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
