The verdict in three sentences
Generic practice-management tools cover 70 % of needs, but impose their own logic and store your matters with a third party, which breaks down as soon as confidentiality or a specific practice comes into play. A custom tool at 55,000 to 130,000 EUR gives you exactly your modules (matters, time tracking, billing, conflicts) with controlled EU hosting and total reversibility. The maths turns on the unbilled hours you recover: that is where the return materialises in under 18 months.
The modules and their cost in 2026
2026 orders of magnitude for a firm of 8 to 20 lawyers in London.
| Module | Scope | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|
| Matter management | Lifecycle, documents, deadlines | 14,000 to 30,000 EUR |
| Time tracking | Time entry, timer, allocation | 9,000 to 20,000 EUR |
| Billing | Fees, retainers, reminders | 12,000 to 26,000 EUR |
| Conflicts of interest | Automatic checks, alerts | 6,000 to 14,000 EUR |
| Client portal | Secure sharing, signature | 8,000 to 22,000 EUR |
| Total build | MVP to full version | 55,000 to 130,000 EUR |
Confidentiality, GDPR and accounting integration
| Criterion | Generic solution | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Matter hosting | Often outside EU | EU, your choice |
| Encryption at rest | Variable | Systematic |
| Access logging | Basic | Fine-grained, exportable |
| Legal privilege | Not guaranteed | Designed for |
| Accounting integration | Limited connectors | Bespoke |
| Data reversibility | Often paid | Total and free |
Timelines, maintenance and return on investment
| Element | 2026 order of magnitude |
|---|---|
| MVP timeline | 8 to 12 weeks |
| Full version timeline | 4 to 8 months |
| Annual maintenance | 15 to 20 % of build |
| Unbilled time recovered / lawyer | 3 to 6 h / month |
| Reduction in unpaid invoices | 10 to 25 % |
| Expected ROI | 12 to 18 months |
Mini case study
Ms Barelli, partner in a 12-lawyer London firm, invests 96,000 EUR in a custom tool (matters, time tracking, billing, conflicts). The built-in timer and mobile entry recover an average of 4 hours of unbilled time per lawyer per month, i.e. 12 x 4 = 48 hours/month. At an average rate of 180 EUR, that is 8,640 EUR of extra billing per month, plus an 18 % drop in unpaid invoices. The return is reached around 14 months.
FAQ
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Isn't a generic solution enough for a small firm?
Below 5 lawyers, often yes. Beyond that, confidentiality constraints, specific practice needs and complex billing justify a custom investment that pays back through recovered billable time.
Is legal privilege really better protected?
Yes: EU hosting of your choice, encryption at rest, fine-grained logging and access segmentation are built in from the start, which few generic solutions guarantee contractually.
How long before a first usable version?
An MVP covering matters and time tracking ships in 8 to 12 weeks. The full version with billing and conflicts arrives in 4 to 8 months.
Can the tool connect to our accounting software?
Yes, a custom integration (export, API) is planned at scoping to avoid double entry between fee management and accounting.
What happens if we change supplier?
The code and data are yours, with documentation and total reversibility. You are never captive, unlike with a generic licence.
Let's scope your project. State your number of lawyers, priority modules (matters, time tracking, billing, conflicts) and indicative budget. 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.
