What is Lexcel?
Lexcel is a legal practice quality mark that recognises law firms that are committed to legal excellence. It aims to ensure the practice delivers clear and consistent client care, compliance, and overall good practice management. It is there to help the practice, or in house legal department, to operate at the highest standards and give current and potential clients reassurance that the law firm is well governed.
Fans of the Lexcel mark believe it helps them attract and retain clients.
Lexcel covers the following areas:
- Client Care
- Risk Management
- People Management
- Structure and Strategy
- Financial Management
- Information Management
- File and Case Management
Benefits of Lexcel
Providing your law firm with Lexcel accreditation is a good way to get your firm in order as no one will want to let the side down by failing some of the processes involved. It is a well-recognised standard of legal practice management.
Advocates of Lexcel have said that accreditation provides a positive impact on;
- Number of Complaints
- Client Retention
- Overall Profitability
- General Regulatory Compliance
- Time Management
- Process Efficiency
Drawbacks of Lexcel
The downside of Lexcel is that the process is time consuming. Not only getting the accreditation but also the reassessment and keeping on top of the system that has been put in place.
Everyone will need to pull their own weight as it takes more than just one enthusiastic worker to implement throughout the company. Also, leading up to assessment can be stressful and potentially impact important work.
Some feedback does suggest that some find it too rigid and encourages box ticking.
Is Lexcel suitable for everyone?
Lexcel is not suitable for everyone, every law firm can apply but not everyone should, you will need to commit time, energy, money to get and remain accredited. However, it is a good facilitator to improve all aspects of a legal practice and is a proven standard. Some parts of legal practice require Lexcel accreditation or an equivalent.
