13 March 2012

University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust secures top accolade from national Law Society

The in-house legal service at University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (UH Bristol) has been re-awarded the national Law Society's law management quality mark, Lexcel.  UH Bristol is one of only two NHS trusts in England to have secured the accreditation. 

Lexcel is developed specifically for the legal profession.  It is an optional, recognised accreditation scheme for law firms and in-house legal departments which gives assurance that a practice meets high client care and business management standards. 

To gain and retain Lexcel accreditation, practice must undergo a rigorous initial then annual application and assessment process.  This includes conducting background checks and an on-site visit from an experienced, trained Lexcel assessor. 

UH Bristol trust secretary Charlie Helps, said:  "We are proud to have secured Lexcel accreditation again, as it is our clients and staff who are the main beneficiaries. They can be assured that the way we manage the service has their interests at heart. There is a lot of choice in the legal services market, but being Lexcel accredited demonstrates our commitment to client care and best practice." 

John Wotton, president of the Law Society of England and Wales, said:  "Achieving Lexcel accreditation proves a serious commitment to the continual development of the practice's management standards.  Practices opt to undertake the rigorous application and assessment process for the optional scheme to help demonstrate their investment in their business.  Lexcel acts as a beacon of quality to clients and potential clients alike."

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