Frequently asked questions

Lexcel is the Law Society's practice management standard. It is the most appropriate standard for the legal profession as it was written by solicitors for solicitors.

Achieving Lexcel should benefit your practice in a number of ways. Research and feedback from Lexcel accredited practices has identified the following:

• effective risk management leading to fewer claims or complaints
• better customer service leading to increased client retention
• lower insurance premiums or favourable treatment from insurers
• improved marketability and competitive advantage
• greater success in tenders, beauty parades and panel reviews
• a major step towards demonstrating Best Value compliance for local authorities
• consistency of service from all solicitors and practice groups
• a framework to meet new legislative requirements, such as the Money Laundering Regulations 2003
• help with new practice rules
• increased profitability

Yes, Lexcel is appropriate for all types and sizes of practices. It is particularly important for sole practitioners as they are perhaps under the most pressure to work harder, faster and smarter.

Contact the Law Society to obtain a copy of the Practical Guide for Sole Practitioners.

Lexcel has been well received as it helps them to implement the requirements of Best Value and continuous improvement.

Around one third of those who have achieved the Lexcel practice management standard are from local authority legal departments.

Contact the Law Society for a copy of the Guide for Local Authority and Other Public Sector Legal Departments.

Lexcel is a good risk management tool as it covers all the main causes of claims against solicitors within the standard. In addition it covers specific procedures for assessing and managing risk within your practice.

Please contact the Law Society to obtain a copy of the Practical Guide to Minimising Risk.

This depends on how committed you are to achieving the award. Those practices who have concentrated on achieving Lexcel have done so in two to three months, though on average it is likely to take around six months.

Achieving Lexcel will include costs for:

1. an annual registration fee to the Law Society; and
2. an assessment fee to the assessment body conducting the assessment.

Details of these costs can be found in the Lexcel information pack. Contact us to request a copy.

Lexcel can help minimise the time and money your practice currently spends on dealing with complaints and claims. You are also likely to receive a more substantial discount on your indemnity insurance premium. Lexcel is an investment and you are certain to recoup the money you have invested in many ways.

You do not have to use a consultant, though you may find that it saves you time and therefore money in the long run.

Lexcel combines some elements of Investors in People, some elements of ISO 9000, and is a readily-translated quality standard for the legal profession.

If you have any other quality standards, such as the Legal Services Commission's Specialist Quality Mark, ISO 9000 or Investors in People, then your assessment could take even less time and also cost less, since you will be allowed exemptions for any areas already covered.  In many cases, a joint assessment might be possible.

Lexcel does not specify the exact systems and procedures you must follow. Since all types and sizes of practices can apply, Lexcel specifies the areas which should be covered by your systems and procedures, but leaves you to implement whichever system or procedure you prefer. It is therefore very flexible.

A lot has changed in the legal profession in recent years and the standard has been updated to reflect relevant changes in the law and management practice. A broad section of the legal profession, including sole practitioners and public sector legal departments, were consulted as part of the revisions process and their suggestions have been incorporated for improvement to the standard.

The standard has been restructured to make it easier to use Lexcel as a development tool. By introducing clearer modules, practices can manage the process of obtaining Lexcel in more manageable bite size sections. Lexcel v4 was launched on 23 October 2007.

The Law Society is keen to raise the profile of Lexcel, both amongst the profession and with buyers of legal services and the general public.

Raising the profile of Lexcel amongst potential clients and customers is achieved in a number of ways:

• Assisting Lexcel accredited practices in promoting their own accreditation:
  The Law Society sends all practices a marketing fact sheet. The Law Society is also willing to provide, where possible, a representative to attend events celebrating the award and to provide a quote from the President of the Law Society congratulating successful practices for media releases;
• National advertising and PR:
  The Law Society writes articles and press releases for publication in a wide range of media;
• Consumer and business groups:
  The Law Society has issued information on Lexcel to Citizens Advice Bureaus around the country, and also promotes Lexcel to business groupings, such as Business Link and Chamber of Commerce, throughout the country;
• Local and regional Law Societies:
  The Law Society works closely with local and regional law societies to promote Lexcel through events, networking, and other opportunities.

Accredited practices, assessors and consultants should contact the Law Society.