Bright (South West) LLP in Plymouth has become the 1500th legal practice in England and Wales to secure the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) quality standard.
The firm’s new CQS status follows days after Bright (South West) LLP was re-accredited with the Law Society’s practice management standard, Lexcel. New figures from the Law Society show that 403 of the 1500 firms with CQS status also have the Lexcel quality mark.
Desmond Hudson, chief executive of the Law Society comments:
“We congratulate Bright Solicitors on becoming a CQS firm. The practice has shown that it meets high standards in residential conveyancing. Clients who turn to Bright during the home-buying process will know they can expect a quality service.
“This is a milestone for CQS and cements its place as the must-have accreditation in the residential property market. All CQS firms now automatically qualify to act for some banks and their mortgage customers, including HSBC and Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks. The scheme has well and truly arrived with consumers being the main beneficiaries.
“By adding CQS to their Lexcel reaccreditation Bright are sending out a message to the public that it is a legal practice-plus. As well as the high professional commitment expected of all solicitors, Bright has gone the extra mile.”
Julie Milton, Head of Residential Conveyancing at Bright (South West) LLP said:
“Becoming a CQS firm is a major boost for us and more importantly our clients. Buying a home is one of the largest purchases anyone will make in their lifetime, so it is essential that it is done to the highest standard. There are many differenct conveyancing service providers out there, making it difficult for home buyers and sellers to identify those which can ensure a safe and efficient level of service.
“We want to stand out as representing genuine quality in the services we provide. CQS allows us to do that.”
The CQS scheme requires practices to undergo a strict assessment, compulsory training, self-reporting, random audits and annual reviews in order to maintain CQS status. It is open only to members of the Law Society who meet the demanding standards set by the scheme and has the support of the CML, the Building Societies Association, the Legal Ombudsman and the Association of British Insurers.
The CQS is becoming more important as take-up increases. Lenders are moving towards using CQS as a means of panel management. Last year the Law Society provided a PII broker package allowing CQS and Lexcel firms exclusive access to competitive PII quotes. A similar package for this year is due to be announced in the next few weeks.
Congratulations to Bright (South West) LLP.
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