Applying for Lexcel

Who can apply for Lexcel?

Any practice, regardless of size or type of work can apply for Lexcel accreditation. The standards are flexible because they identify which areas must be covered, but leave practices free to choose procedures appropriate to their circumstances.

Before applying for Lexcel assessment you must be satisfied that your practice meets the Lexcel requirements.

How to apply for Lexcel assessment

There are three steps to applying for Lexcel:

  1. Check that your practice meets the Lexcel requirements (self assessment)
  2. Select an assessment body
  3. Submit your application

Full details of the Lexcel application process are included in the Lexcel information pack or as a separate application pack. Please contact us to obtain these.

Cost of Lexcel assessment

Practices are charged an annual registration fee and an assessment fee for applying for and being assessed against the Lexcel standard.

The annual registration fee

The Law Society will charge your practice a registration fee for each annual assessment after your application is received. Annual registration fees are based on the size of the practice and are shown below:

Private practice

Non-private practice
Sole practitioners £60 1-5 fee earners £60
2-4 partners £175 6-15 fee earners £175
5-7 partners £230 16-40 fee earners £300
8-10 partners £300 41-60 fee earners £405
11-15 partners £350 61+ fee earners £520
16-25 partners £485  
26-50 partners £580  
51+ partners £865  

All fees are subject to VAT.

The assessment fee

Each assessment body will charge a fee for conducting a Lexcel assessment. The cost of assessment and subsequent annual maintenance visits varies according to the size of the practice. Each assessment body will have its own charging structure and charges are likely to be based on day rates.

Duration of assessment

The duration of the assessment is typically based on:

  • the number of staff
  • the number and geographical location of offices
  • the number of different categories of law offered and work patterns
  • whether a practice already has ISO 9000, Investors in People (IiP) or SQM
  • if the assessment is just for Lexcel or combined with ISO 9000 or IiP

Self-assessment

Your practice is likely to be meeting a number of the Lexcel requirements already, especially if you have other quality standards in place, and particularly if this is the SQM from the Legal Services Commission. If you are interested in achieving the Lexcel practice management standard you can start preparing now by:

Before proceeding with an assessment, practices must complete the Lexcel 2004 self-assessment checklist (DOC, 78kb) or Lexcel v4 self-assessment checklist (DOC, 319kb). The form should then be sent to your chosen Assessment Body for your assessor's reference. This is important as it can identify weaknesses that need correcting before the assessment.

You may also find this example self-assessment checklist (PDF, 140kb) helpful. Please note the example references the Lexcel Office Procedures Manual, 4th edition.

Selecting an assessment body

Once your practice is satisfied that it meets the Lexcel requirements you must select an assessment body.

Lexcel assessment bodies (PDF, 79kb)

Submit your application

The process for applying for and renewing Lexcel accreditation changed on 1 October 2007. From this date Status Enquiry Checks for each individual fee earner will no longer be carried out. These have been replaced with sample checks and specific reviews to check the accuracy of information in applications.

A new application form has been produced to include these changes. Practices can use the old application forms until 31 December 2007, but must use the new forms to apply after 1 January 2008.

Sample checks will be carried out on three randomly selected practices each month. A Lexcel executive will investigate the practice's history and assess whether or not an assessment can proceed. This revised process will make it easier for practices to obtain and retain their accreditation and provide practices with a more efficient service. Specific reviews are conducted on any practice selecting 'yes' in the Status Enquiry Check section of the new application form.

Please note: indicating that there is a current or previous complaint against your practice does not mean instant refusal of an application. Each practice's application is decided on an individual basis.

Download the new application form in MS Word (DOC, 375kb)
Download the new application form in Adobe Acrobat (PDF, 120kb)

You must include with your application:

  • details of your practice's approved indemnity insurance provider, claims handler and policy number
  • a full list of all employees identifying fee-earners (stating whether admitted or non-admitted) and non-fee-earners
  • a letter authorising the application (for non-private practice only)

Your practice's self-assessment checklist must be sent to your chosen Assessment Body prior to the assessment.

The Lexcel office will provide your chosen assessment body with a copy of the application form and other relevant information.