A Manchester firm has withdrawn from the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) after going into the insurance assigned risks pool (ARP). GLP Crumpsall is the first firm to leave the accreditation scheme, which opened in January 2011.

It withdrew voluntarily after informing the Law Society that it had gone into the ARP.

GLP Crumpsall is part of GLP Solicitors, a group of independent partnerships with law practices throughout Greater Manchester, each separately authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Only GLP Crumpsall has withdrawn from the scheme; no other GLP firms are affected by the development.

The firm declined to comment.

Law Society chief executive Desmond Hudson said that firms that go into the ARP will not remain in the CQS, and that had GLP Crumpsall not withdrawn from the scheme, its membership would have been revoked.

Hudson said: ‘It was an obvious decision for GLP Crumpsall to voluntarily withdraw from the CQS in light of their presence in the assigned risk pool.

‘It says a lot about how the CQS is perceived by the profession when a firm immediately acknowledges that it is no longer compatible with the scheme’s requirements. CQS would lose the credibility it has gained if it contained firms in the ARP within its membership.’

He added: ‘The Law Society’s professional indemnity insurance initiatives, including the CQS/Lexcel firm package we launched for last year’s renewal to offer accredited firms the opportunity to reduce their premiums, have clearly played their part.

‘It is vital that insurer confidence remains in the scheme and we will be looking to build on this to develop a professional indemnity insurance package for CQS/Lexcel firms this year.’

There are 1,070 CQS accredited firms and a further 560 firms have applications currently being assessed.