As the UK makes its way into recession, you might be surprised that gaining a recognised quality standard is likely to save your firm money and keep your staff morale bouyant. Find out more about what Lexcel accreditation actually is, its range of benefits and what the time and cost implications might be for your firm.
What is Lexcel?
- Structures and policies
- Strategy, the provision of services and marketing
- Financial management
- Information management and facilities
- Information management
- Facilities
- People management
- Supervision and operational risk management
- Client care
- File and case management
- to enhance the service given by a practice to its clients
- to improve the management of the practice
- to improve the morale and motivation of its staff
- Over 81% found it improves client care
- 79% found it improves risk management
- Lexcel firms reduce complaints per fee earner to the Law Society by 40%
- 69% found that their PI premiums were lowered as a result of the accreditation (when did you last see a form which didn’t ask if you have Lexcel?)
Additionally:
Gain and Retain Clients: Those firms with Lexcel are able to demonstrate that they provide a quality service, which helps to both gain and retain clients.
Gain and Retain Staff: Today’s solicitors and support staff expect a properly structured career development which Lexcel supports. So your firm will be able to attract and retain high calibre employees to enhance the practice's reputation and earning power.
Gives you greater competitive edge: Increasingly firms risk losing prospective clients to Lexcel accredited competitors. Whether you’re about to feel the effects of the credit crunch or you operate an in-house practice where outsourcing is an equivalent threat (particularly with the Legal Services Act), being Lexcel accredited raises your profile and strengthens your bargaining power.
Negate the Solicitors’ Practice Rules requirements: the Solicitors’ Practice Rules require all firms to prove that they are managing themselves correctly. The easiest way to prove this internally and externally is by having the Lexcel quality mark, which the SRA regime recommends.
Generally speaking, a committed 200 person firm could be ready for assessment in around 9 months. Whether your firm is smaller or larger we can guide you to the assessment as quickly and as painlessly as possible.
Our Service
We work on an hourly, daily or project basis depending on your requirements and budget.
Our lead Lexcel consultant, Mike Gorick, is an experienced Lexcel accredited consultant. Having been Practice Director at Oxford based law firm Marshall & Galpin for 18 years, he had a wide exposure to sales and marketing, finance, facilities and procurement, IT and HR. He is also particularly familiar with the complications of legal partnerships, Risk Management and Quality, including implementation of ISO 9001, Investors in People, as well as Lexcel.
As a Law Society authorised Lexcel consultant, Mike Gorick will:
- Discuss the advantages of Lexcel and determine whether it is appropriate for your firm
- Explain what is required to obtain the Lexcel accreditation
- Review your current systems to advise what changes are required to become Lexcel compliant
- Check that any necessary improvements have been implemented before the formal assessment takes place
- Reduce the time and cost of the accreditation process by helping you to have everything ready for the assessors
Please email Mike or call him on 0845 643 9343 for further information. All calls are treated in strictest confidence and are without obligation.
You can also read Mike's "Lexcel - Land of the Free" article which was published in the Law Society's Gazette on 23 September 2008, by clicking here.
