The Law Society has received more than 1,000 applications for its Conveyancing Quality Scheme, it said today.

Some 1,034 applications have been submitted since the scheme opened in January, and 317 have been accredited so far.

Law Society president Linda Lee stressed that accreditation is not a rubber-stamp process.

Firms that have achieved accreditation range from sole practitioners to large firms, and are located throughout the country

Lee said: ‘While we recognised that CQS would prove popular with the profession, we haven’t seen the numbers of application level out. They keep on rising.

‘The benefits of being on the scheme are clear to firms carrying out conveyancing work and are a key driver in these high application numbers.’

She added: ’The CQS unit at the Law Society is focusing its resources to ensure we process these applications in a timely manner, but we designed the scheme to ensure it was thorough rather than a rubber-stamp process.

‘What is important is that home buyers, mortgage lenders and property professionals can now find a CQS firm in their area. More are on the way.’

Firms must undergo an assessment before joining the scheme, which is aimed at ensuring ‘consistency of standards throughout the conveyancing process’.

More information may be found here.