Gill Akaster LLP in Plymouth has secured membership to the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme (“CQS”) - the mark of excellence for the home buying process.

They underwent a rigorous assessment procedure by the Law Society in order to secure CQS status, which marks the firm out as meeting high standards in the residential conveyancing process.

The President of the Law Society John Wotton said that they introduced CQS to promote high standards in the home buying process.

“CQS improves efficiency with common, consistent standards and service levels and enables consumers to recognise practices that provide a quality residential conveyancing service. Buying a home is one of the largest purchases anyone will make in their lifetime, so it is essential that it is done to the highest standard by a solicitor. There are many different conveyancing service providers out there, making it difficult for home buyers to identify those which can ensure a safe and efficient level of service.”

David Wallis, a Partner and the firm’s Head of the Residential Conveyancing department, said: "We are delighted to have secured CQS status. It is recognition of the high standards that we already provide to our residential property clients and is a signal to future home buyers of the excellent service level we provide at what is often a stressful time for many people.”

“The overall beneficiaries will be clients who use us when buying a home. They will receive a reliable, efficient service as recognised by the CQS standard."

The scheme requires practices to undergo a strict assessment, compulsory training, self reporting, random audits and annual reviews in order to maintain CQS status. It is open only to members of the Law Society who meet the demanding standards set by the scheme and has the support of the Council of Mortgage Lenders, the Building Societies Association, Legal Ombudsman and the Association of British Insurers.

For more information on the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme visit either

www.lawsociety.org.uk/cqs or contact the CQS Unit on 0207 3165550 or CQS@lawsociety.org.uk

David Wallis – 01752 203535, email: david.wallis@gillakaster.com