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Why Choose Us – Our Accreditations, Professional Memberships & Awards

We know that finding the right solicitor can be tricky. You need all the information before you can make a decision.

To make your research as easy as possible, we’ve put all our accreditations, professional memberships and awards here, so you can quickly see how we’re qualified to help with your legal matter.

Follow the links below to read about our accreditations, professional memberships and awards in our different service areas:

If you would like a quote further information about us, please feel free to get in touch, check out our price list or pop into one of our offices in Liverpool, Maghull, Runcorn or Warrington.

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As a firm

Lexcel

As a firm, we are independently accredited by the Law Society in Lexcel, the legal practice quality mark for firms that display the highest standards of client care, compliance and legal practice management. We are assessed every year to make sure that we continue to meet these standards of excellence.

Here are a few reasons why choosing a Lexcel solicitor is a good decision:

  • You will receive a first class client service
  • We ditch the legal jargon for clear, straightforward advice
  • Our service is consistent from start to finish
  • We answer calls and emails quickly and always make ourselves available to talk when you need us
  • We’re cost-efficient, so you can be sure that you’re getting a great deal on your legal fees
  • We are completely paper-free – efficient and also great for the environment

Bell Lamb & Joynson is a LawNet member firm, a national network of law firms committed to excellence. Each member firm is independently audited to ensure they continue to deliver the highest standards in client care and professional service, to give you peace of mind that your case will be handled expertly, and that your interests will come first.

The latest results of almost 80,000 independent client satisfaction surveys show more than 90% of LawNet clients gave the highest ranking for their experience, with firms rated at 98% for their understanding of needs and clear communications.  And 96% of clients said they would recommend their LawNet firm to others.

ISO9001

ISO 9001 is a globally recognized standard for quality management. It helps organizations of all sizes and sectors to improve their performance, meet customer expectations and demonstrate their commitment to quality. Its requirements define how to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve a quality management system (QMS).

We have been accredited with The LawNet Quality Standard which is  bespoke ISO 9001 standard written specifically for law firms since July 2023.

Implementing ISO 9001 means our organization has put in place effective processes and trained staff to deliver flawless products or services time after time.

With more than one million certificates issued to organizations in 189 countries, ISO 9001 is the most widely used quality management standard in the world. Within the ISO 9000 family, which defines seven quality management principles including a strong customer focus and continual improvement, ISO 9001 is the only standard that can be certified to (though certification is not mandatory).

Business benefits include:

  • Customer confidence: The standard ensures that organizations have robust quality control processes in place, leading to increased customer trust and satisfaction.
  • Effective complaint resolution: ISO 9001 offers guidelines for resolving customer complaints efficiently, contributing to timely and satisfactory problem-solving.
  • Process improvement: The standard helps identify and eliminate inefficiencies, reduce waste, streamline operations, and promote informed decision-making, resulting in cost savings and better outcomes.
  • Ongoing optimization: Regular audits and reviews encouraged by ISO 9001 enable organizations to continually refine their quality management systems, stay competitive, and achieve long-term success.

LawNet

LawNet was established in 1989 to enable a collaborative, national network where independent law firms could share knowledge, best practice and expertise.

Better service – quality assured law firms; independently audited

A good lawyer must be expert in the law; that goes without saying. But they also need to show a firm commitment to providing a clear, practical legal service with the highest quality procedures in place, giving you peace of mind that your case will be handled expertly. You can be confident that LawNet firms provide this, as every LawNet member is hand-picked, giving you confidence that you will receive only the best advice and services – quickly, efficiently, and at the right cost.

Every LawNet member must secure and maintain the LawNet ISO9001 quality assurance standard - which includes regular independent evaluation, providing in-depth analysis of their performance and recommendations for continuous improvement to ensure customers receive the best possible service.

Better resources – local service, national resources

The combined income of the firms comprising LawNet is currently in excess of £350m – equivalent to a UK Top 20 law firm – with members ranging from £2m to £25m turnover.   It enables the network to provide LawNet firms with access to the types of resources normally only available in the largest firms. This means that customers benefit from a superior legal service combining local knowledge and personal detail backed by a depth and breadth of expertise comparable with the biggest law firms in the country.

Better connected – network of over 2,000 solicitors

As a LawNet member firm we are part of a network of over 2,000 lawyers across the UK, and with links across Europe through the Eurojuris network.  Everyone in the network is committed to sharing expertise, knowledge and best practice - which ensures that you benefit from the experience and resources of not just your solicitor but the entire network.

LawNet does not seek to profit from its members, only to see them grow and be successful in their local market. Visit www.lawnet.co.uk for more information.

We where awarded the prestigious  LawNet firm of the year 2023 at the annual Law Net Awards.

Quality Policy

The firm's quality objectives are as follows: -

To provide award winning customer focused legal services utilizing great technology with engaged and committed employees. We ensure continuous improvement and development of our personal and processes which will enable us to provide superior quality legal services that meets or exceed client expectations. Our client care and customer journey is the cornerstone of high-quality service with a focus on elevated levels of communication, a focus on client objectives whilst being fully transparent in manging expectations. There is a defined focus on: -

1. Client care – Ensuring that we are repeatedly delivering a memorable customer experience.
2. Engaged Employees – Passionate, dedicated people who are supported and invested in to ensure that they are driven and focused on supporting our clients.
3. Technology – Using the latest technology to support our teams and our clients.
4. Right first time – We continually invest in our systems, processes, and people to ensure that we deliver our services beyond our client's expectations and right first time.

Cyber Essentials certification

As a firm, we use technology to our advantage, from putting in place a client portal that allows you to access and provide all the information you need such as price lists and your legal documents, to developing our very own conveyancing app. Because of this, we take your security and protecting your personal data extremely seriously.

We have received our Cyber Essentials certificate for putting in place high quality IT infrastructure, security procedures and data protection policies.

This means that you can trust us to safeguard you against most cyber attacks. Whether you choose to send us a message via our app or rely on good old email, your communications are safe with us. We are able to safely and securely share files online, even if you are on the other side of the world. We also have a secure online payment system, so you can pay your legal fees with no risk.

Solicitors Regulation Authority

We are independently regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) which means we follow strict rules to provide the highest quality service to our clients, including:

  • Explaining your legal options in clear language that makes sense to you
  • Explaining exactly how much our work will cost or how we work out our charges
  • Putting your best interests first at all times
  • Respecting your confidentiality
  • Treating you fairly and with respect
  • Communicating with you how you want to be communicated with (whether that’s face-to-face, by email, phone, text or WhatsApp, video call or other means)
  • Telling you about how we store, protect and use your data

Conveyancing

Conveyancing Quality Scheme

We are members of the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS), the recognised quality standard for residential conveyancing services.

We can help you buy or sell your home, remortgage, invest in buy to let property, transfer equity to undertake any other residential property transaction. As accredited members of CQS we:

  • Have been independently recognised for our expertise in this area
  • Proactively recognise and reduce risks involved in conveyancing transactions
  • Are upfront about our fees and (for most purchases) can provide an instant online fixed fee quote in just 60 seconds

LEAP Best Practice Standard

We are the only solicitors firm in Liverpool or North Cheshire to have received the LEAP Best Practice Standard by the Centre of Assessment.

We are regularly audited to ensure that we provide the highest quality service by improving our communications, reducing risk, streamlining process and ultimately making conveyancing more cost-effective for you.

Multiple Award Winning Residential conveyancing team.

Our highly regarded conveyancing team has won a number of coveted awards over the last 5 years holding an exceptional reputation for client care , use of technology and overall excellence in residential conveyancing.

Modern Law Conveyancing Awards  2019 -  Client Care Award 

Modern Law Conveyancing Awards 2021 - Client Care Award

Modern Law Conveyancing Awards 2022 - National Property Team of the year and Residential Conveyancing Team of the Year North of England.

British Conveyancing Awards 2023 - Highly Commended Residential firm of the year North of England.

Liverpool Law Society Awards 2023 - Non Contentious (Residential conveyancing) team of the year. 

Modern Law Conveyancing Awards 2023 - Mike Leeman Managing Partner of the year, Rachael McClean High Commended Residential Property Lawyer of the year and Highly Commended National Property Team of the year.

British Conveyancing Awards 2024 - Highly Commended Residential firm of the year North of England.

Find out more about our conveyancing services here.

Crime and criminal defence

Criminal Litigation Accreditation

Our criminal defence team have earned the Law Society Criminal Litigation Accreditation, which is the recognised quality standard for lawyers who have a high level of skill defending clients involved in criminal law cases.

Our team includes seven independently recognised Criminal Litigation Specialists:

Qualified police station representatives and duty solicitors

Our Criminal Law team includes specially qualified police station representatives and duty solicitors who represent clients at police stations, places of detention and courts across the country.

We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to assist you and we can usually be by your side within 45 minutes of receiving your call – the only thing that affects our response time is distance.

For urgent out of hours matters call FREEPHONE 0808 196 1790.

Higher Courts advocates

Our team includes five qualified higher court advocates who can represent clients at any court level, including the Crown Court and Court of Appeal.

Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association

Mike Leeman is on the committee of the Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association (CLSA), an organisation of criminal law specialists that:

  • Encourages and maintains the highest standards of criminal law advocacy and practice
  • Works to improve criminal process
  • Helps criminal law specialists to continue improving their skills

Serious Fraud Panel

Jeremy Rawson is an accredited advocate and supervisor on the Serious Fraud Panel with particular expertise dealing with what are known as Very High Cost Cases (VHCC).

Liverpool Law Society Criminal Firm of the Year 2019

We won the Liverpool Law Society’s award for Criminal Law in 2019, reflecting our dedication and highly reputable position as the 8th largest criminal defence provider in the country.

Find out more about our criminal law services here.

Family law

Children Law Accreditation

We are members of the Law Society’s Children Law Accreditation which is the recognised quality standard for legal practitioners who specialise in representing children in family law proceedings.

Our team includes two independently recognised children’s representatives, Ruth Scarisbrick and Suzanne Daley, who both have decades of experience providing warm, personal advice and support to children as well as parents, grandparents, guardians and other family members.

Resolution

Our Family Law team are members of Resolution, which is a family law network for professionals who specialise in helping families find positive out-of-court solutions to a wide range of issues, including divorce, relationship breakdown and co-parenting issues.

Ruth Scarisbrick was one of the first Resolution accredited specialists and our Resolution members also include Suzanne Daley.

Find out more about our family law services here.

Private Client Team.

Our private client team that deals with Wills, Probate and Lasting Powers of Attorney are award winning for client care and use of market leading  technology.

Modern Law Private Client Awards  2023 - Highly Commended for Client Care.

Modern Law Private Client Awards 2024 - Best of use of Technology and Highly Commended for Client Care.