Lexcel

This is the Law Society’s Practice Management Standard.

It looks at all aspects of a solicitor's practice management and helps to ensure that a solicitor's practice delivers excellent client care and a consistently high quality of service. It recognises a quality of service above and beyond the Solicitors Code of Conduct put into effect from 1st July 2007.

The Lexcel quality mark means that we have had disciplinary records checked at the Law Society and undergone rigorous independent assessment to ensure we meet the required standards of excellence.

We are assessed on an annual basis to ensure we continue to meet the standard in the following key areas:

• structures and policies
• strategy and the provision of services and marketing
• financial management
• office facilities and IT
• people management
• supervision and operational risk management
• client care
• file and case management

Research has shown that Lexcel accredited firms have better client service and fewer complaints at the Law Society. The 2004 annual report from the Law Society’s independent Commissioner found that Lexcel practices had 40% fewer complaints per fee earner than unaccredited practices.

This means that we not only promise but have been independently assessed to provide the following: the basis under which charges will be calculated including the best information possible on the likely overall costs of the matter and the likely time scale accurate measurement of time spent on matters including any changes to anticipated costs or timescales timely responses to all client communications effective supervision of all legal work (including file reviews) and regular checking of all files by all those doing legal work effective operational risk management including arrangements to ensure that all risks are identified assessed appreciated and addressed confirmation in writing of the terms of business under which instructions are received effective identification and management of personal and commercial conflicts of interest name and status of the fee earners working on your matter and the persons responsible for overall supervision appropriate training development and appraisals for all staff

Further details on Lexcel are available from www.lawsociety.org.uk or from the Lexcel office at the Law Society on 020 73205749.