Sheffield's leading law firm Wake Smith LLP has secured the national Law Society's law management quality mark, Lexcel.
Lexcel is developed specifically for the legal profession. It is an optional, recognised accreditation scheme for law firms and in-house legal departments which gives assurance that a practice meets high client care and business management standards.
To gain and retain Lexcel accreditation, the practice must undergo a rigorous initial then annual application and assessment process. This includes conducting background checks and an on-site visit from an experienced, trained Lexcel assessor.
Lucy Scott-Moncrieff, President of the Law Society of England and Wales, said: "Achieving Lexcel accreditation proves a serious commitment to the continual development of the practice's management standards. Practices opt to undertake the rigorous application and assessment process for the optional scheme to help demonstrate their investment in their business.
"By implementing policies, plans and procedures within Lexcel's key areas, such client service and risk management, practices can show the positive steps they are taking to help clients in the increasingly diverse, complicated and competitive legal market. Lexcel acts as a beacon of quality to clients and potential clients alike."
Andrew Vidler, Partner and a member of the LLP's management team, said "Achieving Lexcel accreditation demonstrates to our clients, prospective clients and contacts that we have been recognised for having met the highest management and client care standards. They can be assured that the way we manage our practice has their interests at heart and is run effectively and efficiently. We are very proud to be able to communicate our commitment to client care, especially at a time when the legal profession is under-going so many changes. With alternative business structures offering legal services, there is now a good deal of choice in the marketplace and we anticipate that being Lexcel accredited will prove to clients, prospective clients and contacts that we are well equipped to assist them, whether in business or in their private lives."
