Lexcel deadline near

The revised standard for the Law Society's quality mark, Lexcel, becomes compulsory on 1 July.

Among the revisions, provisionally introduced in January this year, there are risk management requirements for firms to meet.

Firms already Lexcel-approved, of which there are currently 160, must ensure they are in line with the updated standard by their next annual check-up.

Tracey Stanley, Lexcel manager, said: 'Now that risk management is covered by the new standard in addition to practice standards, approved firms can gain the best possible discounts on their indemnity insurance premiums.

After all, poor service delivery as opposed to bad legal advice leads to most claims against solicitors.'The Law Society recently received its 200th application for the quality mark that has already been granted to such firms as Thomas Eggar Church Adams in Sussex, Manchester-based Pannone & Partners, and Donns.

The senior partner at Donns, Raymond Donn, said: 'The standards set by Lexcel provide excellent discipline and when tendering for work we have also found that Lexcel provides a considerable advantage.

While many may think that achieving quality comes at a price, we have found that it enables us to provide a quality product more efficiently.' Andrew Towler