Pictured above: Louise Drew
Law firm Newsome Vaughan has become one of the first in Coventry
and Warwickshire to be fully accredited under the Law Society's
Conveyancing Quality Scheme.
The new standard, endorsed by other bodies including the Council
of Mortgage Lenders, the Building Societies Association and the
Association of British Insurers, applies to domestic homes and only
firms that meet set standards can qualify.
The CQS scheme requires law practices to undergo strict
assessment, training, audits and annual reviews in order to
continue to inspire confidence in clients, lenders and the general
public.
Successful applicants have to demonstrate the highest levels of
financial probity, good practice management and financial and risk
procedures. This includes the requirement to keep the client fully
informed of progress as the transaction progresses.
They must adhere to prudent and efficient residential
conveyancing procedures through the New Transaction Conveyancing
Protocol and implement a robust monitoring and enforcement
procedure. A client service charter sets out exactly what users can
expect from their solicitors.
Achievement of membership establishes a greater level of
credibility for members with stakeholders including regulators,
lenders, insurers and clients.
Louise Drew, head of Property at Newsome Vaughan, said: "We are
delighted to receive this recognition and to lay down a marker in
Coventry and Warwickshire. It sets out the standards that clients
can expect of us and any other firm with the CQS standard. It also
demonstrates the value of coming to a firm of solicitors in an area
of the law that is becoming increasingly commoditised."
In addition to its residential conveyancing practice, Newsome
Vaughan acts on behalf of a host of housing associations.