If you’re considering buying or selling [or leasing] a property in Staines, Richmond, Tadley or Reading and the surrounding environs, you will typically need a conveyancing specialist, unless you have decided to undertake the complicated process yourself – which is not to be recommended.
The individual you choose, will either be a solicitor regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority [SRA], a Chartered Legal Executive regulated by CILEx Regulation, [both will typically work for a law firm] or a licenced conveyancer, regulated by the Council for Licenced Conveyancers [CLC].
We know that people will often seek a recommendation from family members, friends and even colleagues, or ask their lender, mortgage broker or an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) they are working with. The results can be patchy at best, as every property transaction is different.
Searching online has become increasingly popular to find a highly-rated conveyancer, usually local to the seller or the area they are buying in. One advantage of this approach is the opportunity to read reviews left by customers, good, bad and indifferent.
Often the estate agent involved will recommend a conveyancer to use, but the law now requires that they must disclose if they are being paid a fee for the referral. In the past, referrals were often made to secure the fee rather than because the conveyancer was any good at their job.
There are now even specialist online conveyancing firms, but unlike with a law firm such as Rowberry Morris, there is no relationship with a single point of contact. The process only involves emails and phone calls, with poor service the major complaint from customers.
Although many claim to be cheaper than traditional law firms, delays are often a problem, with online conveyancers only really able to deal with straightforward property transactions; more complex legal problems need to be referred.
However you select your conveyancer, you should ensure they are either a member of the Law Society of England and Wales [or Law Society of Scotland] and a member of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme [CQS], or a member of the Council for Licenced Conveyancers.
What is the Conveyancing Quality Scheme [CQS]
The CQS is an accreditation awarded to law firms that excel in conveyancing. They must demonstrate their commitment to providing exceptional customer service throughout every step of the property transaction they are involved in.
Only law firms accredited by the scheme can display the logo, which readily highlights those firms that make the additional effort required to achieve CQS accreditation and importantly retain it through continually improving the service provided.
Accreditation is not easy and stringent criteria must be met and high standards must be maintained within the firm, not just in the residential conveyancing practice. The CQS accreditation process can be broken down roughly into four steps:
- Application review – Law firms wanting to achieve CQS accreditation must submit an initial application to start the process. The relevant Law Society, will then conduct a comprehensive review of the firm’s policies, procedures, and practices related to their conveyancing service.
- Client service – To achieve CQS accreditation, solicitors must be able to demonstrate their commitment to delivering a high-quality client service, which will include ensuring clients receive regular, clear communication and expert guidance during the conveyancing process.
- Continuing compliance – Once a firm achieves their accreditation, as much work is then required to ensure the high standards set by the CQS are maintained, with regular audits undertaken by the Law Society to ensure continuing compliance.
- Professional development – Solicitors and licenced conveyancers working in CQS-accredited firms are expected to develop their knowledge and improve their skills with ongoing professional development, further ensuring that clients receive the best possible service.
Why choose a CQS accredited law firm?
You now know how hard the team here at Rowberry Morris have worked to achieve the CQS accreditation, but what does it mean for you, as someone seeking a good conveyancer?
We believe selecting a CQS-accredited law firm for your property transactions will deliver a number of significant benefits and ensure the most stress-free outcome. In no particular order, these benefits will improve your overall experience:
- Quality assurance – the CQS accreditation logo represents a professional seal of approval. Select a CQS-accredited firm and you can rest easy that the professionals within the business have maintained rigorous standards of excellence over many similar conveyancing transactions.
- Specialist knowledge – CQS accreditation recognises the personal expertise and experience demonstrated through the conveyancing process. This combines with them maintaining high standards and remaining current with new legal developments to deliver a smoother, more efficient transaction process for every client.
- Outstanding service – a CQS-accredited law firm focusses on delivering outstanding client service, to ensure every customer become a referrer. Understanding buying or selling a property is a significant transaction, accredited firms are dedicated to providing clear communication, detailed guidance and outstanding support.
- Broad service – selecting a CQS-accredited law firm ensures whatever occurs during the conveyancing process, your single point of contact can deal with all the complications and even serious legal issues. You do not get passed around, which reduces the risk of errors or oversights disrupting the process.
- Complete support – a CQS-accredited law firm offers complete support at every step of the conveyancing process, regardless of your experience. Whether this is your first transaction, or you are a property investor seeking a long-term relationship, the specialist support on offer will deliver the same smooth process.
We have a very experienced conveyancing team, including solicitors, chartered legal executives and licenced conveyancers, operating from our offices in Staines, Richmond, Tadley and Reading, covering the surrounding areas with its diverse mix of properties of all values.
We are a CQS-accredited firm and will support you through your property transaction, whether it’s a freehold or leasehold sale or purchase, off plan or out of the area. The CQS mark of excellence demonstrates our commitment to the highest conveyancing service and standards.
Please contact us today to learn more about our conveyancing services and how we can help ensure your property transaction is as smooth and stress-free as humanly possible.