In short
A leased line for a law firm is a dedicated, symmetrical internet connection, such as BTnet, sized for cloud case and document management, large bundle uploads, video hearings and client calls. BTnet includes static IPv4 addresses for secure remote access and allow-listing, and can add BTnet Security on Meraki equipment. It supports compliance work but does not provide it.
Get a quote for BTnet for law firms
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Why law firms outgrow business broadband
A modern legal practice is a heavy user of its internet connection, and much of that use is upload. Case management, document management and accounts systems increasingly run in the cloud. Bundles, disclosure, plans and scanned deeds are sent rather than posted. Fee earners join remote hearings and client meetings on video, dictation goes to typists as audio files, and the whole firm's email and files sync to cloud storage throughout the day.
On a shared broadband connection, upload is usually a fraction of download, and speeds can dip when the network is busy. That is when a 300-page bundle takes too long to send, video freezes in front of a client, and the practice system feels slow for everyone at once.
A leased line is built differently. BTnet, BT's business leased line, gives a law firm:
- Dedicated, uncontended bandwidth. BT describes BTnet as 100% uncontended, so the speed you order is reserved for your office. See contended vs uncontended.
- The same speed up as down. Uploading a bundle is as quick as downloading one. See symmetrical internet speeds.
- BT's service levels. BT sets out availability, on-time delivery and latency service levels with service credits under its terms. See the BTnet SLA.
- Static IPv4 addresses as standard, for secure remote access and allow-listing.
- No fair usage policy. BT's help pages say you can use as much data as you need.
Port speeds run from 2Mbps to 10Gbps, so the same service suits a small high street practice and a large regional firm. Read what is a BTnet leased line for the full picture.
What a legal practice runs over the line
| Activity | What it needs from the connection | How BTnet helps |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud case and document management | Quick, steady round trips for every search, save and open | Uncontended bandwidth; BT's Direct Private Peering to Microsoft, Apple, Google and Amazon cloud services |
| Bundles, disclosure and large files | Sustained upload, often at the end of the day | Symmetrical bandwidth and no fair usage policy |
| Remote hearings and client video meetings | Low, steady delay and upload for your camera feed | BT's latency commitment on its UK core network; symmetrical speeds |
| Client calls on a hosted phone system | Consistent quality for every simultaneous call | BT says BTnet is optimised for voice, including BT Cloud Voice and SIP, and prioritises voice traffic |
| Fee earners working from home | A fixed, secure way back into firm systems | Static IPv4 addresses for VPNs and allow-listing |
| Cloud backup and archiving | Upload capacity that does not crowd out the working day | Symmetrical bandwidth sized with headroom; Bandwidth Flex within the bearer |
Most firms do all of these at once, so the right speed comes from your busiest hour, not one task. Our bandwidth sizing guide shows how to add them up, and a leased line for Microsoft 365 and cloud apps explains how cloud traffic behaves on BTnet.
Not sure which bundle fits? Ask us
Tell us what you need and we will recommend the right bundle for your organisation, with a quote.
Static IP addresses, remote access and allow-listing
Every BTnet service includes static assigned IPv4 addresses. For a law firm, a fixed address is useful in three ways:
- Remote access. Fee earners at home or in court connect back to the office over a VPN that terminates on a known address.
- Allow-listing. Many cloud systems let an administrator restrict sign-in, or administrator access, to known IP addresses. Your office address can be one of them, alongside multi-factor authentication.
- Secure exchanges. Some secure portals and file exchange services can be set to accept connections only from a known source address.
Under BT's terms, IP addresses that BT provides stay BT's property, cannot be transferred and end when the service ends. If you move office or change supplier later, plan the change to any allow-lists in advance. See static IP addresses on BTnet for the detail, including Provider Independent Resources.
Security layers, not guarantees
Law firms hold exactly the kind of information criminals want: client money details, identity documents and confidential matters. A leased line is one part of your defence, and the plan you choose decides who looks after which part.
| BTnet option | Who runs the router | Who runs security | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| BTnet wires only | You or your IT provider | You or your IT provider, on your own firewall | Firms whose IT provider already runs a firewall they trust |
| BTnet + Cisco router | BT, fully managed | You or your IT provider | Firms that want BT to manage routing but keep their own firewall |
| BTnet Meraki + BTnet Security | BT, on Cisco Meraki equipment | BTnet Security, with your policies | Firms that want security services delivered with the line |
BTnet Security adds a next-generation layer 7 firewall, advanced malware protection, content (URL) filtering, intrusion detection and prevention, and regular security patch updates. It is available with the Cisco Meraki managed equipment option and can be added after installation. BT's terms are clear that BT does not guarantee the security of the service against unauthorised access, and that your own equipment must be protected against viruses and other breaches. Treat the connection as one layer alongside multi-factor authentication, endpoint protection, staff training and tested backups.
Cleanfeed filtering, which blocks a list of child sexual abuse sites maintained by the Internet Watch Foundation, is applied to BTnet as standard. Some firms also work towards Cyber Essentials, the UK government-backed scheme; a leased line on its own does not certify you. Your UK GDPR and professional obligations stay with the firm. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Is BTnet for law firms the right fit for you?
We will check it against your systems and requirements and recommend the right option.
Keeping the firm working when something fails
Think about the days when an outage would hurt most: a completion day when funds must move and clients are calling, a filing deadline, or a hearing by video. One line is a single point of failure, and service credits compensate for downtime rather than prevent it.
BT offers three resilience options for BTnet:
- Failover: a standby line that takes over if the primary fails
- Load balancing: two lines working together, with traffic able to flow over either, subject to capacity
- Back-up: a lower-speed second line that keeps the essentials running
BT's SLA includes a 100% availability service level, with credits of one day's charges for each hour of downtime, capped at ten hours a quarter, claimed under BT's terms. Whether a second line is worth it depends on what an outage would cost your firm. Separate routes into the building and backup power for the equipment are questions to raise at the survey. See resilient BTnet.
Town-centre offices, chambers and multi-office firms
Many practices work from older town-centre buildings or shared office blocks, which affects installation:
- Landlord consent. If you rent, the landlord usually has to agree to the work and may need to sign a wayleave agreement. Start that conversation early.
- Routes and openings. The site survey confirms how the line reaches your office, where it enters and where the equipment goes. Older buildings can need extra engineering, which may bring excess construction charges.
- Lead times. BT's help pages say installation can take up to 70 working days, depending on the survey, and BT confirms a Customer Committed Date after it. See BTnet lead times.
- Several offices. Each office can have its own BTnet line, sized for what it does, joined over the internet by VPNs between static addresses. See BTnet for multi-site organisations.
If you are moving office, order early: under BT's terms an external move is subject to survey and starts a new minimum period. See moving office with a BTnet leased line.
How Forever Communications helps law firms
Forever Communications is an Authorised Supplier for BT. We supply BTnet to legal practices and help get the connection right before anything is ordered:
- Size the line around your practice systems, video hearings, calls and backups
- Choose the plan that fits how your IT provider already runs your network and firewall
- Price resilience for the offices where an outage would hurt most
- Help with survey, landlord and wayleave questions, and help you follow progress as BT confirms dates
- Help after go-live with speed changes, moves and SLA claims
Forever Communications also supplies BT Cloud Voice, so your line and phone system can be planned together. Contact us with your office address and how the firm works, and ask us for a quote.
Why buy BTnet from Forever Communications
Forever Communications is part of Forever Group and an Authorised Supplier for BT. We supply BTnet, BT's dedicated leased line internet service, to businesses, schools, charities and public sector organisations, and we help with each step from first enquiry to go-live.
- The right BTnet option for you: we help you choose a speed, bearer, router and resilience option that fits how your sites actually work, from BTnet plans to BTnet speeds
- A clear quote: BTnet is priced per site, so we check availability at your address and set out what is included; see leased line cost
- Installation managed with you: we explain the survey, any wayleave or construction steps and the installation process, and keep you updated on progress
- Connected services in one conversation: phones with BT Cloud Voice, Wi-Fi, firewalls and backup lines, so the whole set-up is planned together
- Help after go-live: we can help with faults, changes and upgrades, with the support arrangements confirmed in your quote
BTnet is a business service. Service levels, lead times and features are BT's and are confirmed at order.
Frequently asked questions
Do law firms need a leased line?
Not every firm, but practices that rely on cloud case management, send large bundles, join video hearings and run hosted phones often find broadband upload and busy-time slowdowns hold them back. A leased line such as BTnet gives dedicated, symmetrical bandwidth with BT's service levels.
Is a leased line more secure than broadband?
A dedicated line is not shared with other customers, but it is still an internet connection and BT does not guarantee security against unauthorised access. Security comes from your firewall or BTnet Security, multi-factor authentication, endpoint protection, training and backups.
Can we restrict our cloud systems to our office IP address?
Often, yes. BTnet includes static IPv4 addresses, and many cloud systems let administrators restrict sign-in to known addresses. Use it alongside multi-factor authentication, and plan for the change if you move office.
Can our IT provider keep managing our firewall?
Yes. With BTnet wires only, BT's responsibility ends at the network terminating equipment and your own router or firewall does the rest. With the managed Cisco router, BT runs the router and you still run your own security.
Does a leased line make us GDPR compliant?
No. A connection is one part of your technical measures. Your UK GDPR and professional obligations remain with the firm, and should be covered by your own policies, controls and advice.
How long does it take to install a leased line in a new office?
BT's help pages say installation can take up to 70 working days, depending on the survey. Landlord consent and wayleaves can add time, so start as soon as you know the address.
Still have a question about BTnet for law firms?
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