Frequently asked questions
The questions we hear most often. Answers are short. If we missed one, email us.
What does a fractional General Counsel do?
A fractional General Counsel does the in-house legal work of a growing company part-time: customer and supplier contracts, fundraise paperwork, governance and managing external lawyers. At The Edwards Practice that is 1 to 3 days a week, from £1,250 a day. It is a consultancy service, not a law firm, so litigation and other reserved legal work go to a regulated lawyer.
What is a fractional COO?
A fractional COO is a senior operations leader who works part-time, typically 1 to 2 days a week, inside a growing business. They build process, hire and train the team, and run operating cadence, at a fraction of the £140K+ cost of a full-time hire.
How much does The Edwards Practice cost?
Fractional General Counsel and Fractional COO are £1,250 a day, on retainers of 4, 8 or 12 days a month (£5,000, £10,000 or £15,000 a month), with a 3-month minimum. An Ops Audit is from £5,000. Strategic Adviser support is from £1,500 a month, with a 6-month minimum.
Is The Edwards Practice a law firm?
No. The Edwards Practice is a consultancy. It is not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Bar Standards Board and does not carry out reserved legal activities. Mitch Edwards is a New Zealand qualified lawyer, not practising in the UK. Where a matter needs a regulated lawyer, we will say so and help you instruct one.
What regions does The Edwards Practice work in?
United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Most engagements are fully remote with periodic on-site weeks as needed.
When do I need a law firm instead of a fractional General Counsel?
For litigation, any reserved legal activity, or a matter that needs regulated legal advice. When that happens we will say so, then help you instruct the right firm and manage the work alongside your team.
How long does a fractional COO engagement last?
Most engagements with The Edwards Practice run three to twelve months. After that, the business typically runs at around 80% autonomy, and we transition to a lighter-touch Strategic Adviser role.
Who is The Edwards Practice for?
UK tech companies at Series A to D with no in-house lawyer, tech founders at Series A/B (10–80 people, £500K–£10M revenue) and SME owners (5–100 people, £500K–£15M revenue) who need senior operational or legal leadership but can't justify a full-time hire.
Do you offer a trial period?
There is no formal trial. Fractional COO and Fractional General Counsel have a 3-month minimum, which is short enough to work as a structured trial with a clear exit point.
What's the Contract Confidence Kit?
A self-serve product for founders who want to stop signing contracts on gut feel. £97, one price. It's an expert playbook that turns any AI - Claude, ChatGPT or Gemini - into your contract reviewer, plus a guided setup, install guides, a risk tracker, and a free bonus pack of NDA triage and compliance templates. It is decision-support, not legal advice.