Compare the best legal case management software providers for UK law firms
Choosing the best legal case management software for your law firm depends on your size, goals, and how much customisation or automation you need. A methodical comparison of background, features, pricing and support can save you time and money.
That’s where we come in. We’ve researched the top legal case management systems, including: Access Legal (that’s us) , LEAP, Clio, Actionstep, and more — so you can explore each one in detail or skip straight to our handy comparison table.
1. Access Legal (that’s us!)
We couldn’t start without mentioning ourselves, could we? Built specifically for the UK legal market and trusted by over 3,500 UK law firms, Access Legal, part of the Access Group, offers two case management solutions to suit the different needs of law firms.
- Access Legal Case Management (ALCM): A flexible, browser-based system - ideal for growing firms that value a simple, straightforward system with easy access and remote working.
- Access Legal Proclaim – A highly configurable case management solution that can be hosted in the cloud or on-premises, perfect for larger firms with more complex requirements.
Both systems help you streamline casework, improve efficiency, and manage day-to-day operations from one place.
Key features:
- Secure client portal
- Practice area-specific workflows (pre-built or customisable)
- Legal accounts integration
- 100+ third party integrations
- Document management
- Task and matter management
- Client onboarding and management
- Time & Expense recording
- Mobile app
- Reporting and performance dashboards
Our legal technology suite also includes a client onboarding app, compliance training and software, and managed IT services for law firms. Plus, because we’re part of The Access Group, our case management software integrates with HR, finance, CRM, and payment solutions - giving you a single provider for all your legal business needs.
Customer support and services: Access Legal offers a data migration team, standard customer success plan with access to a team of customer success managers, and access to 24/7 in-product support via a digital assistant. A comprehensive, searchable online knowledge base is also available to help users quickly find answers to common questions.
Pricing: Simple per-user, per-month pricing. Available on request and as part of cost-effective software bundles.
Keen to know more? You can book a demo or speak to our friendly team, who will be happy to talk you through our solutions.
2. Clio
Founded in Canada in 2008, Clio has expanded globally with its EMEA headquarters in Dublin. It serves over 150,000 legal professionals across 130 countries, focusing on cloud-based legal practice management suitable for small to mid-sized firms.
Their offering includes Clio Manage for case management and Clio Grow for client intake and CRM.
Key features:
- Billing, invoicing, and integrated payment
- Document management and e-signatures
- Calendar, task and workflow automation
- Mobile app
Clio has also acquired ShareDo to support large law firms, offering a work management platform which allows large law firms to move their case and matter management to the cloud.
Support: Clio provides onboarding assistance, data migration service, and an online help centre. Their support team is available 24/5 (all day and night, Monday to Friday) by phone, email, or live chat.
Pricing: Starts from £59 per user/month annually. Pricing varies by plan (Manage, Grow, or full Suite).
3. LEAP
An Australian company with a significant UK presence, LEAP offers a cloud-based legal practice management solution tailored specifically for small to mid-sized law firms. The platform combines matter management, time recording, document automation, legal accounting, and billing in one system.
Key features:
- Client and matter management
- Document Management and Automation
- Time Recording and Billing
- Legal Accounting
- Reporting
- Client Service
- LawY – AI legal research, drafting, etc.
Support: LEAP offers a transitions team, onboarding assistance via the customer success team, access to an online Help Centre, and ongoing training via LEAP University.
Pricing: Pricing is provided upon consultation and tailored to a firm's requirements.
4. Actionstep
Originating from New Zealand, Actionstep is a cloud-based practice management platform designed for growing mid-sized firms that value flexibility and configurable workflow automation.
Key features:
- Matter management
- Document assembly
- Billing
- Integrated accounting
- Customisable workflows to support firm-specific processes
- Third party AI integrations
Support: Actionstep offers an online help centre, 24/7 customer support and ongoing training resources.
Pricing: Subscription-based, with pricing available upon request. Implementation fees may apply.
5. PracticeEvolve
PracticeEvolve is a UK-based provider offering cloud-based legal practice management software, with a strong focus on mid-sized firms looking for modern, intuitive systems.
Key features
- Case and matter management
- Document automation
- Legal accounting and time recording
- Integrated client portal
- Performance dashboards and reporting tools
Support: Includes tailored onboarding, UK-based customer support, and training resources.
Pricing: Subscription pricing provided on consultation.
6. Dye & Durham
A Canadian company with a growing UK footprint, Dye & Durham delivers integrated tools for legal firms via the Unity® Practice Management platform. Best suited for small to mid-sized firms, especially those needing compliance and due diligence support.
Key features:
- Practice Management
- Accounts, Cashiering and Billing
- Document Management
- Legal & Conveyancing Case Management
- Compliance & AML Checks
- Due Diligence Solutions
- Client Onboarding & KYC Solutions
- Legal AI
- Unity Global Platform
Support: Provides implementation support, customer service access, and training resources.
Pricing: Available upon request.
7. Osprey
Osprey Approach is a UK-based legal software provider with over 30 years of experience in the sector. It offers a fully cloud-based case management solution and is known for supporting firms that want to streamline their operations without heavy reliance on in-house IT infrastructure. It’s especially suited to small and mid-sized firms looking for a reliable, all-in-one system.
Key features:
- End-to-end case and matter management
- Legal accounting and time recording
- Integrated client portal
- Workflow automation
- Document and email management
- Digital onboarding tools
- Microsoft 365 integration
Support: Offers UK-based support, including onboarding assistance, training webinars, and a dedicated account manager. A knowledge base and customer support team are available to help with ongoing use.
Pricing: Osprey operates on a per-user, per-month subscription model, with pricing tailored to the size and needs of your firm. Quotes are available upon request.
8. OneAdvanced
One Advanced is a UK-based technology provider offering a range of business software, including legal practice and case management systems. Its offering for law firms includes ALB and Partner for Windows. It serves firms of varying sizes but is particularly strong in the mid-market space.
Key features:
- Case and matter management
- Time recording and legal billing
- Compliance and risk management tools
- Document and email management
- Legal accounting
- Integration with third-party tools
Support: A dedicated service desk, online support portal, and access to training and onboarding resources. Account management and upgrade support are also available for firms with more complex needs.
Pricing: Pricing is based on a subscription model and varies depending on the solution (ALB or Partner for Windows), number of users, and feature requirements. Firms can request a tailored quote.
9. Smokeball
Originally founded in Australia and now serving the UK market, Smokeball offers cloud-based case management software designed to boost small law firm efficiency through automation.
Key features:
- AutoTime (time recording)
- Document automation
- Firm insights reporting
- Integrated billing
Support: Smokeball offers unlimited onboarding and training, plus access to a UK-based support team.
Pricing: Available upon consultation, with pricing tied to Prosper+ 12- or 36-month subscription plans.
Best UK case management software features comparison
*Information verified on provider websites and correct as of June 2025.
How to choose the best legal case management software provider for lawyers
Choosing the right case management provider isn’t just about features - it’s about finding a partner who understands the legal sector and will support your firm for the long haul. Here are the key things to consider when evaluating providers:
Legal sector expertise
Look for a provider with a strong track record in the UK legal industry. Providers that specialise in legal software are more likely to understand your challenges, offer compliant tools, and develop features that actually reflect the way law firms operate.
Reputation and credibility
Check whether the provider is trusted by firms like yours. Read customer testimonials and case studies to see how others found the setup, day-to-day use, and whether it helped reduce manual tasks. A provider that’s endorsed by professional bodies (like The Law Society) and has a large legal customer base is often a good sign.
Support and service
Support can make or break your experience - especially when you need help fast. Look for providers that offer more than just email support. A responsive helpdesk, access to how-to guides or live chat, and training options all help your team get the most from the system.
Scalability
Can the provider grow with you? Whether you’re expanding your team, moving into new practice areas or opening new offices, choose a provider that can scale with your ambitions - not hold them back.
Innovation and roadmap
The legal tech landscape is evolving fast. If innovation is important to your firm, select a provider that invests in their technology, keeps pace with industry changes (like AI or compliance updates), and communicates a clear roadmap for their platform.
Ready to find the right legal technology partner?
Choosing a legal case management software provider is a big decision, but with the right partner, it can transform how your firm works day-to-day.
Whether you're a growing firm needing flexibility or an established practice looking for robust workflows and automation, there's a solution that fits your needs. Take time to consider which provider aligns best with your goals, your team, and the way you work.
If you’d like to see how Access Legal compares in action, book a demo or speak to our team -we’re always happy to help.
Like what you’ve read? We’ve got lots more content on case management software, including how to choose the right case management software and navigating the transition to a new case management system.