Lexcel was introduced by The Law Society of England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales is a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom. It consists of England and Wales, two of the four countries of the United Kingdom...

 in 1998 as a mark of quality in relation to legal practice management standards. Until 2010, the Lexcel standard was attainable by law firms and in-house legal departments in England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales is a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom. It consists of England and Wales, two of the four countries of the United Kingdom...

. A separate franchised scheme was available for practices in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...

. Since September 2010, Lexcel accreditation has been attainable by any law firm or in-house legal department in any jurisdiction in the world. The worldwide scheme continues to be administered by the Law Society of England and Wales, who can be contacted at The Law Society, Lexcel Office, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL, United Kingdom. By telephone at (0044) (0)20 7320 5933.

Benefits from accreditation

The Law Society of England and Wales

England and Wales

England and Wales is a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom. It consists of England and Wales, two of the four countries of the United Kingdom...

 have carried out research and received feedback from practices which indicate that the benefits of achieving Lexcel accreditation are:

• Effective risk management leading to fewer claims or complaints.
• Better customer service leading to increased client retention.
• Lower professional indemnity insurance premiums or favourable treatment from insurers.
• Improved marketability and competitive advantage.
• Increased success in tenders and panel reviews.
• Helping to demonstrate best value compliance.
• Consistency of service from all solicitors and practice groups.
• Help with new practice rules.
• Increased profitability.

Sections of the Lexcel standard

Version 4.1 of the standard concentrates on eight areas of practice; Structure and Policies, Strategic Plans, Financial Management, Information Management, People Management, Supervision and Operational Risk Management, Client Care and File and Case Management. Compliance with the standard is ascertained by independent assessment.

Accreditation process

Before requesting an independent assessment, a practice or legal department should ascertain how closely aligned to the standard it is. This can be undertaken by completing The Law Society's Self-Assessment Checklist - see 'External Links' below. For organisations requiring consultancy assistance to achieve compliance, they are open to seek assistance from a Law Society accredited consultant. See 'External Links' below for a list.

A practice or legal department wishing to arrange an assessment against the Lexcel Standard will have to do two things. Firstly, select one of The Law Society's licensed assessment bodies to carry out the assessment. They should be contacted to agree the duration of the assessment and the fee payable. See 'External Links' below - for a list of assessment bodies. The assessment body will be able to answer any questions relating to the assessment process and guide the organisation through it. Secondly, the organisation will need to make an application for an assessment directly with The Law Society. This is done by completing the application form - see 'External Links' below. The Law Society charge practices an annual registration fee which varies from £60.00 to £865.00 depending on the size of the practice. Organisations must include with their application:

• details of the practice's approved indemnity insurance provider, claims handler and policy number;
• a full list of all employees (identifying qualified people who earn fees or provide legal advice) and also including staff in support roles;
• a letter authorising the application (only necessary for applying organisations who are not private practice law firms)

Outcome of assessment

If an organisation is correctly aligned with the Standard, the assessment report will be sent to The Law Society and the standard awarded. If an organisation's policies, plans, procedures and processes are not correctly aligned with the Lexcel standard, the assessor will note minor or major 'non-compliances'. Where an organisation is being assessed for the first time, they have up to six months to correct the non-compliances and on completion of any necessary work, will then be awarded the Lexcel Standard. Subsequent assessments will result in minor non-compliances having to be corrected within three weeks and major non-compliances within three months. Award of the standard lasts three years subject to satisfactory annual maintenance visits (AMVs). At the end of the three-year award, if the organisation wishes to continue with Lexcel, a full re-assessment is again undertaken.

External links

• The Law Society of England and Wales
• Lexcel Standard v4
• Lexcel Standard v4.1 which is applicable to all new applications made from 1 January 2011
• Lexcel 4.1 Self Assessment Checklist
• Lexcel-Accredited Consultants
• List of licensed Lexcel Assessment Bodies
• Lexcel Application Form (Microsoft Word format)
• Lexcel Application Form (.pdf format)
• International Law Management Accreditation