Lexcel & Practice Compliance
The Law Society describes Lexcel as “….the Law Society's legal practice quality mark for excellence in legal practice management and excellence in client care.” Potential clients are increasingly looking for Lexcel Accreditation when choosing which law firm to instruct. Accreditation can also help simplify the process of Professional Indemnity Insurance renewal and will very often result in a reduced premium.
We are firmly of the view that Lexcel should not be a bureaucratic “box ticking” exercise. Properly designed Lexcel procedures are valuable risk management tools which can bring consistency and efficiency to a law firm. Lexcel is not a “one size fits all” standard and should instead be adapted to meet the specific needs of each law firm
We are able to tailor our services depending upon the level of internal resources available, either guiding you through the process of obtaining and maintaining Lexcel Accreditation or adopting a much more “hands on” approach, working as part of your team. We:-
• Review existing policies and procedures and advise on any changes needed in the light of current Lexcel requirements
• Advise on the steps needed to apply for and maintain Lexcel Accreditation
• Prepare the necessary policies, procedures and registers required by Lexcel. This can involve everything from consideration of individual policies to the preparation of a comprehensive office manual.
• Supervise or, if required, undertake regular file reviews and the maintenance of central registers.
• Prepare and submit the initial applications for accreditation, liaise with assessment bodies and oversee assessment visits.
• Monitor continued compliance with the Lexcel standard and oversee the process of maintenance visits
Information Technology
We provide the link between IT suppliers on the one hand and the management team, lawyers and support staff on the other.
All too often IT suppliers over promise and under deliver. They often seem to speak a different language to the average lawyer and frequently fail to understand the actual day to day requirements of a law firm. Our unique combination of legal and IT experience allows us to spot when an IT supplier is failing to deliver what is required and to translate the advice they are giving into everyday language, free of technical jargon.
Law firms frequently only scratch the surface of what their IT systems can offer – we help ensure that your IT systems deliver their full potential and are seen as a real benefit to your practice, not a burden. We:-
• Advise on the choice of practice systems, including accounts, case management, document management and time recording systems.
• Supervise the IT tendering process and advise on the choice of supplier
• Advise on the initial setup of IT, including overall infrastructure, cloud based solutions, back up, data retention, remote working, printing, scanning, digital dictation and communications.
• Ensure that all IT systems and applications are set up to achieve maximum efficiency, meeting the needs of your business rather than being left in their default state.
• Assist with the design of and production of management reports.
• Set up time recording systems to reflect optimum systems and procedures
• Liaise with IT suppliers to ensure clear communication both ways and that suggested solutions are appropriate to the needs of the business
Practice Management
Lawyers should ideally spend their time providing advice and developing relationships with new and existing clients rather than getting bogged down in administration. In the case of owner partners in particular managerial and administrative burdens should be kept to a minimum. This allows those partners more time to set the strategic aims and direction of their firm and to lead and inspire their teams.
By advising on how to streamline existing policies and suggest new ones where required we help improve efficiency without losing the human touch. If we are engaged to work within an organisation we can relieve the key personnel of many managerial and administrative tasks. Areas we assist with include:-
• Organisational review of current levels of administrative support
• Liaison between management, lawyers and support staff
• Review of arrangements with suppliers and dealing with them direct to achieve savings and ensure an efficient service is provided
• Credit control, including review of procedures and direct chasing of debtors when required
• Renewal of practising certificates
• Renewal of Professional Indemnity Insurance
• Advising on the use of and maintenance of central registers
• Preparing agendas for and taking minutes at management meetings
• Human resource co-ordination
• Facilities management