The Society claims the number of CQS accredited firms tips over the 200 mark and it has reminded its members that mortgage lenders, consumers and insurers will be looking for the new mark of quality when it comes to conveyancing practices.
The scheme requires practices to undergo a strict assessment, compulsory training, self reporting, random audits and annual reviews in order to maintain CQS status.
Desmond Hudson, chief executive of the Law Society, said: “With 202 firms now accredited and another 750 applications to be assessed, CQS has arrived and is clearly on the home buying industry's radar as a key requirement for conveyancing solicitors.
“Accredited firms have already reported that new clients are checking whether they are a CQS accredited firm and we are seeing a high level of traffic online going to CQS firms via our CQS consumer website. Firms without CQS accreditation could find themselves left behind.
"We have had almost 1000 applications so far having only opened for business in January and while 202 accredited out of 1000 applied might look low the point is that this was never supposed to be a rubber stamping exercise. These firms are being thoroughly assessed on a range of factors, including client care. This is not just some marketing gimmick. Quality in relation to CQS means quality rather than simply being a label.”
