How to apply

2 minutes read

Our Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) is a recognised quality standard for residential conveyancing practices.

To apply for initial 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.

Step 1: Read the Core Practice Management Standards

Check that your practice meets the Core Practice Management Standards (PDF 319 KB).

You’ll already meet some of these standards if your practice is Lexcel accredited.

Download a comparison against Lexcel Standard 6.1 (PDF 451 KB)

Step 2: Appoint an SRO

The SRO is the person accountable for making sure that your practice complies with the scheme rules.

Step 3: Read the guidance

Before beginning the application, the SRO must read the:

If your practice was formed less than three years ago, you should also read the guidance notes for recently formed practices (PDF 76 KB).

Step 4: Complete the form

The SRO must complete the application form (Word 448 KB) for the practice.

Each additional relevant person must complete a separate application form based on their role:

If your firm has more than 10 partners, contact us for guidance on the partners you need to include in your application.

Step 5: Submit the application

Your practice’s application is made up of:

the application form
any additional application forms for relevant persons

Do not send files larger than 18 MB. If necessary, send your supporting documents in separate emails.

Submit your application by email

Step 6: Pay the fee

We’ll send you an invoice when we receive your application.

The fee will vary depending on the size of your practice.

Step 7: Accreditation

Our accreditation team will assess and review your practice’s application.

We’ll let you know the outcome of your application once we’ve received your payment.

Step 8: Appeals

If your application is unsuccessful, we’ll refund your membership fee.

You may appeal against our decision.

Read our appeals policy

Step 9: Mandatory training

Once accredited, the SRO and all relevant persons must complete mandatory training.

Contact us

Call: 020 7316 5550

Email: cqs@lawsociety.org.uk

Opening hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday