Freelance legal support? Great idea. If you do it right.

If you manage a legal team, you know the feeling: always on. And sometimes, your team is stretched to the limit. That’s when bringing in freelance legal support can be a smart move. But with tax authorities stepping up checks on false self-employment, the rules have become a bit more sensitive.

So how do you stay compliant while still bringing in the right support quickly?

Start with this question: do you need capacity or expertise?

That difference matters—big time.

Hiring for capacity means adding extra hands to your team. Sounds harmless, but it can easily resemble disguised employment. And that’s exactly where the tax risks lie.

Hiring for expertise is different. You bring someone in for a specific task, with a clear outcome. Someone who works independently, chooses their own approach, and isn’t managed day-to-day. Much safer.

Three simple rules for stress-free freelance support

Yes, you can still work with freelancers. You just need to set it up right. These are your go-to rules:

Be clear about the assignment
Define the objective and the expected result. Avoid vague descriptions like “supporting the team.”

No daily management
A freelancer decides how and when they work. No fixed hours, no daily check-ins, no micromanagement.

They don’t belong to you
True freelancers have other clients, send their own invoices, and work like entrepreneurs. That’s exactly what the tax office expects to see.

Want to be sure everything’s in order?

Download our checklist for compliant collaboration with freelance legal experts. No hassle. Just clarity.