Conveyancing Quality Scheme
Our Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) is a recognised quality standard for residential conveyancing practices.
CQS can help to minimise your practice’s risk of claims and protect your brand’s reputation. By joining the scheme, you’ll show that you:
- have the expertise to deliver quality residential conveyancing advice
- use standardised processes to recognise and reduce risks
- educate clients about what to expect when paying for conveyancing advice
- benefit from our training and marketing programs
The accreditation also gives you greater access to lenders, and demonstrates that your firm can provide residential conveyancing advice of the level expected by:
- clients
- lenders
- the wider residential conveyancing community
Eligibility
CQS is designed for practices that:
- offer residential conveyancing
- are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
Your practice must be able to demonstrate compliance with the Conveyancing Protocol. You may need to amend existing policies or draft new ones to meet the requirements.
How to apply
To apply for accreditation, your practice will need to:
- appoint a senior responsible officer (SRO)
- submit an application form
The accreditation process takes around six to eight weeks. It can take longer if we receive high volumes of applications or if you do not give us all the information we need.
Training
All relevant persons must complete mandatory training within six months from the date that your practice receives confirmation of accreditation.
Find out more about mandatory training
Re-accreditation
Membership of the accreditation lasts for 12 months.
You can apply to be re-accredited at least six weeks before your accreditation expires.
The re-accreditation process follows a three-year assessment cycle.
Find out more about re-accreditation
Cost
You’ll need to pay an application fee and a membership fee to be accredited.
You must not pay when you submit your application. We’ll send you an invoice when we receive your application.
| Application | Number of partners | Application fee | Membership fee | Total (including VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial | Sole practitioner | £170 | £227 | £476.40 |
| Re-accreditation | Sole practitioner | £238 | £227 | £558.00 |
| Initial | 2 to 4 | £283 | £340 | £747.60 |
| Re-accreditation | 2 to 4 | £357 | £340 | £836.40 |
| Initial | 5 to 10 | £397 | £453 | £1,020.00 |
| Re-accreditation | 5 to 10 | £476 | £453 | £1,114.80 |
| Initial | 11 to 20 | £510 | £567 | £1,292.40 |
| Re-accreditation | 11 to 20 | £595 | £567 | £1,394.40 |
| Initial | 21 to 50 | £623 | £680 | £1,563.60 |
| Re-accreditation | 21 to 50 | £714 | £680 | £1,672.80 |
| Initial | 50+ | £1,076 | £1,133 | £2,650.80 |
| Re-accreditation | 50+ | £1,190 | £1,133 | £2,787.60 |
| Other fees | Cost | Total (including VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate re-issue | £10 | £12 |
| Appeal against decision to refuse accreditation | £258 | £309.60 |
Promoting your accreditation
We have a range of free materials such as logos, certificates and window stickers for you to use.
Get your Conveyancing Quality Scheme logo
Membership
Find a Conveyancing Quality Scheme member
This database is updated regularly.
Contact us
Call: 020 7316 5550
Email: cqs@lawsociety.org.uk
Opening hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
Sponsors of CQS
