Global Sites Ltd ·
Why firms put it off
Most firms know when their system is holding them back. Matters are tracked in one place, the diary in another and billing in a spreadsheet. Reconciling the client account takes days. Still, the move gets postponed, usually because nobody is sure how to get years of data across without losing anything.
The risk is real, but it is manageable. Firms that move well tend to follow the same steps.
Before you choose
Write down what the firm actually needs before you look at any product:
- The work the system must handle: matters, court dates, time, billing, client money
- What the law requires of you, such as trust accounting rules, KRA eTIMS and data protection
- How clients pay you, and how they would like to receive documents and updates
- Who owns the data, and how you would get it back if you ever left
- The full cost over several years, not just the monthly fee
Get your data ready
Migration is the part that worries people most, and the best preparation is a clean-up. Close matters that are finished, merge duplicate client records and make sure every open matter has a responsible advocate. Above all, reconcile the client account and agree every client balance before the move. Balances that are wrong in the old system will still be wrong in the new one.
Plan the switch-over
- Pick a go-live date at the start of a month, away from your busiest period
- Decide what moves across: open matters and balances first, closed files can follow
- Check migrated balances against the old system, client by client, before you go live
- Train people on the work they do every day, not on every feature
- Run a short period where someone is on hand to answer questions
How we do it with Global Wakili
When a firm moves to Global Wakili, we set up the firm's profile, branches, staff and roles, and import existing client and matter data. Matters, clients, time entries, trust balances and documents can be migrated, from Excel and CSV files or from other systems through their APIs where available. Balances are checked with you before the firm goes live, and we train your staff. Migration and training are quoted separately, after we have agreed a plan with you.
A good time to move
Global Wakili launches on 15 November 2026. The first 50 firms to join pay for six months and get the full first year, which gives a firm time to settle in before the first renewal.
Whatever system you choose, one habit protects you during any move: keep payment instructions out of email.
- Practice Management
- Legal Technology
- Global Wakili