(0)20 3051 2049
Strong compliance arrangements can help legal-sector businesses demonstrate that risk management, governance and client service are taken seriously.
The Legal Eye Quality Scheme (LEQS) is Legal Eye’s specialist quality accreditation for law firms and other businesses operating within or supporting the legal sector. It provides an independent assessment of the organisation’s compliance arrangements against standards relevant to its activities.
The assessment helps identify existing strengths, areas for improvement and practical corrective actions. Businesses that meet the required standard are awarded LEQS accreditation and may use the LEQS logo.
What is the Legal Eye Quality Scheme?
LEQS is designed to provide independent assurance that a business has established robust and properly documented compliance arrangements.
Rather than focusing on a single regulatory framework, the assessment considers the requirements and expectations relevant to the organisation and its activities. For law firms and legal-sector suppliers, this may include relevant aspects of the standards set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Council for Licensed Conveyancers.
Benefits of LEQS accreditation
LEQS accreditation can help your business:
- Demonstrate its commitment to strong compliance standards
- Provide reassurance to clients, partners and other stakeholders
- Benchmark its arrangements against relevant legal-sector expectations
- Identify and prioritise areas for improvement
- Support tender submissions and business-development discussions
- Use the LEQS accreditation logo following a successful assessment
How the LEQS assessment works
1. Initial discussion: Legal Eye discusses your organisation and agrees the scope of the assessment.
2. Independent assessment: The assessment normally takes one or two days and can be completed on site or remotely, depending on your organisation’s requirements and the arrangements agreed with Legal Eye.
3. Findings report: Your organisation receives a written report setting out the findings.
4. Accreditation or corrective actions: Successful businesses receive LEQS accreditation.Where improvements are required, the report identifies the recommended actions.
What your business receives
Following the assessment, your business will receive a written report setting out the findings.
Where the required standard has been met, LEQS accreditation will be awarded and the business will be able to use the LEQS logo in accordance with the applicable usage guidelines.
If corrective actions are identified, the report will explain the areas requiring improvement. Legal Eye can then discuss the practical support available to help your business address the findings.
Who is LEQS suitable for?
LEQS is suitable for law firms and other businesses operating within or supporting the legal sector that want to demonstrate strong compliance arrangements and provide independent assurance to their clients, partners and stakeholders.
The assessment is tailored to the nature of the organisation, its activities and the regulatory requirements relevant to it.
Assessment by experienced compliance professionals
LEQS assessments are carried out by members of Legal Eye’s wider team of experienced legal-sector risk and compliance professionals.
Our advisers understand the regulatory requirements and practical operational demands placed on law firms and businesses supporting the legal sector. They provide clear, proportionate findings to help organisations understand their current position and prioritise any improvements required.
Your organisation may also benefit from our risk and compliance gap analysis, compliance policy templates or accreditation and certification support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is LEQS accreditation?
The Legal Eye Quality Scheme (LEQS) is Legal Eye’s specialist quality accreditation for law firms and other businesses operating within or supporting the legal sector. It provides independent assurance that the organisation has established strong and properly documented compliance arrangements.
Who can apply for LEQS?
LEQS is suitable for law firms, licensed conveyancing practices and other businesses providing services to the legal sector. The assessment is tailored to the organisation’s activities and the regulatory requirements relevant to it.
What does the LEQS assessment review?
The assessment reviews the organisation’s compliance arrangements, documented processes, behaviours and operational performance against standards relevant to its activities. This may include relevant requirements and expectations established by the SRA and CLC.
How is the assessment conducted?
An experienced Legal Eye adviser completes an independent assessment of the organisation’s compliance arrangements and supporting evidence. The assessment can be conducted on site or remotely, depending on the organisation’s requirements and the arrangements agreed with Legal Eye.
Can the assessment be completed remotely?
Yes. The LEQS assessment can be completed remotely or on site, depending on the organisation’s requirements.
How long does the assessment take?
The LEQS assessment normally takes one or two days. The precise duration will depend on the size, structure and activities of the organisation and the agreed scope of the assessment.
What will our business receive?
Following the assessment, your business will receive a written report setting out the findings. Where the required standard has been met, LEQS accreditation will be awarded.
If improvements are required, the report will identify the recommended corrective actions.
What happens if corrective actions are identified?
The findings report will explain the areas requiring improvement and the corrective actions recommended. Legal Eye can discuss the practical support available to help your organisation address the findings and work towards achieving the required standard.
When can we use the LEQS logo?
Your organisation may use the LEQS logo after successfully achieving accreditation. The logo should be used in accordance with any applicable Legal Eye usage requirements.
How much does the LEQS assessment cost?
The cost will depend on the organisation’s size, activities, assessment requirements and agreed scope. Please contact Legal Eye to discuss your requirements and receive a tailored quotation.
