20 Years of Excellence for Pearson Solicitors

The Law Society has again accredited Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers with their Lexcel quality mark of excellence held by Pearson for 20 consecutive years. 

Lexcel is an international practice management standard specifically designed as a framework for legal practices. It’s a quality mark of excellence in client care, compliance and practice management which set standards for 7 key areas:  

• client care 
• risk management 
• people management 
• structure and strategy 
• financial management 
• information management 
• file and case management 

Lexcel standards must be adhered to and monitored throughout the year and are rigorously audited on an annual basis by an external assessor independent of the Law Society. 

Anne Milne, the industry’s independent assessor reported:  

“Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers Ltd has an effective and clear management structure that has recently been revised to help meet the needs of the developing firm.  

“People both like and respect their line managers and have confidence in senior management. Team working and communications are strengths of the firm.” 

“Homeworking was efficiently introduced, as was the return to office-based working, and people have continued to work to meet client needs. Staff were kept up to date on developments with agile working arrangements.” 

“Learning and development continue to be a strength of the firm. Good use made of external and internal webinars and training modules. People interviewed thought these had improved since Covid, good quality, greater flexibility, time efficient and more people could use them.” 

Ms Milne who has conducted audits for Pearson over the years said: 

“Pearson continues to maintain an excellent Lexcel standard exhibiting good standards of client care. Files were consistently structured according to the firm’s file management standards.” 

“The firm is managed by an executive committee in a modern and inclusive style. Senior management are open and approachable, people feel appreciated and valued.”   

“Line managers are thought to be highly effective – good at people management and coaching and knowledge sharing. People continue to be encouraged to develop their skills and qualifications, for the good of the individual and the firm.” 

“Thanks again to all involved for their general openness and helpfulness. It is a pleasure to talk to the firm’s people during the audit process,” concluded Ms Milne. 

Joanne Ormston, the firm’s Senior Partner & Practice Manager said: 

 “To have retained the quality mark for two decades is a real achievement and certainly a cause for celebration. All members of staff including support staff, fee earners, line managers and partners each play their part in ensuring the disciplines are maintained which in turn, means we provide legal services to the highest of standards to our clients.” 

“It really is a morale boost for all when we receive the email from the Assessor stating that we continue to meet the criteria, that our robust procedures and systems are followed and that we again ‘tick all the boxes’ meeting the standards set by Lexcel.” 

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