Stephensons Solicitors LLP: Championing Quality and Inclusivity through Lexcel

The firm said they chose to undertake the Lexcel accreditation as for them, achieving the right balance between ensuring compliance and quality through auditing, while being mindful of costs and time investment was crucial. They have numerous accredited experts in their respective fields who are endorsed by the Law Society and wanted an overall all-encompassing quality mark which Lexcel achieves.

Stephensons recognise that stakeholders, customers, potential recruits, and colleagues understand the significance of a standard awarded by the Law Society, therefore this mark of credibility supports their ongoing efforts in monitoring and improving both the quality-of-service delivery and compliance.

Stephensons reflected on the benefits of the Lexcel standard, commenting that it has been important when tendering for work, as demonstrating a quality standard is often a requirement.

Also, they commented that it positively impacts staff morale and inclusion, as the process involves interviewing employees from across the firm. This inclusivity reassures staff and instils pride in working for an organisation that prioritises quality.

Their Assessor, Anne, suggested some valuable areas for improvement. For instance, she suggested entering the Sunday Times Awards, and this year, they pursued this and were pleased to be listed among the Best Places to Work.

Stephensons described their Lexcel assessment experience with Centre for Assessment as positive and straightforward, stating that communication was clear, and that the CfA Lexcel Team were very responsive. Assessor Anne was also clear about what was needed for the assessment days, and a clear structure and timetable was agreed in advance as part of the assessment plan provided. Therefore, everything went smoothly, and feedback meetings were always highly informative, constructive and clear.

Assessor Anne Milne remarked:

"Working with the Centre for Assessment team and Stephensons on their Lexcel accreditation has been a thoroughly rewarding experience. Stephensons' commitment to quality, innovation, and staff wellbeing is evident throughout the firm, and it was a pleasure to assess a team so engaged in continuous improvement.

“The support from Centre for Assessment ensured the process was smooth, structured, and collaborative — a true reflection of best practice in action."

When asked what top tips Stephensons would give to firms looking to gain Lexcel accreditation, they explained that it would be to have robust compliance and governance processes in place. For example, having a programme of review for all policies and processes as it is essential to ensure they are kept up to date.

They added that the Lexcel requirements should be reviewed to ensure that you can meet the standard, but they are systems, processes, policies that should be in place in any event, therefore it is a benchmark of what good looks like. They found the accreditation incredibly valuable due to its status and the fact that it demonstrates quality standards within the firm.

Neil Ireland Davies, partner at Stephensons Solicitors LLP commented:

"The Lexcel accreditation has significantly improved our firm's service standards and fostered a culture of continuous improvement. Our assessor’s thorough and supportive approach has provided us with valuable insights, helping us achieve high standards of excellence. I would recommend the standard to law firms looking to enhance their quality and compliance framework."

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