Lexcel is the Law Society’s legal practice quality mark for client care, compliance and practice management. It suits any size of legal practice and any type of work – there is a separate framework for in-house legal departments, too.  It can be awarded to smaller firms or sole practitioners as well as medium-sized and larger firms.  
 

How is it achieved? 

It provides a framework for firms to meet and aims to set a high standard for:

• Client care
• Risk management
• People management
• Structure and strategy
• Financial management
• Information management
• File and case management

Firms must apply to the Law Society and undergo an independent audit, which includes checking that the requirements of the framework are met, but also that they are embedded in practice – there are interviews with managers, qualified staff, and a wide range of support staff. By focussing on such a broad range of areas for assessment, it really is an accreditation to be proud of. 
 

Why is Lexcel important? 

It’s hard work to gain and maintain the accreditation and it’s worth celebrating and promoting to clients and professional contacts!

One of the most important aspects is that it is a framework. It doesn’t make every legal practice operate in the same way. Firms adopt the requirements in ways that fit with the services they offer, the clients they work with and the size of their team.

Not only does the accreditation give firms an independent mark of quality, it has practical benefits, too: 

• Senior management can make sure strategies and processes are regularly reviewed.
• The assessment provides reassurance that firms are up to date with new practice rules and regulatory requirements.
• Efficiency is increased. The introduction of standardisation for many requirements will free up time for people to concentrate on their advice to clients. This can have a positive impact on profitability.
• Risk is more effectively managed. Risk is considered at a strategic level as well as a client and matter level. It can lead to reduced premiums from professional indemnity insurers. 
• Complaints reduce and satisfaction increases. Clients are consistently provided with all required information.  They know what to expect, no matter which department they are working with.
• It’s reassuring for clients. They know the firm they are working with has been independently audited on an annual basis. It can be included as information in tenders for work.

In an increasingly competitive environment for law firms, with an ever larger emphasis on evidencing compliance and good management, Lexcel is one way for a law firm to demonstrate their quality.

As a Law Society accredited Lexcel consultant, Carolyn Beal can assist law firms looking to work towards the Lexcel standard, or those maintaining their existing accreditation and thinking ahead to their next maintenance visit or re-accreditation application.