The start of 2011 has seen the introduction of the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) which will provide lenders, insurers and consumers with a recognised standard for legal practices offering residential conveyancing.

The scheme has been introduced in response to concerns about increasing cases of negligence and risk of fraud. Accredited firms will show they have adequate safeguards in place and that the practice is efficient and has good financial and management standards.

Law practices are not obliged to join the scheme, however, it is likely to be beneficial to them to join not only from the point of view of attracting clients but also because mortgage lenders may exclude them from their panels of approved firms if they do not achieve CQS status.

Small firms can demonstrate their competency as easily as large practices and the requirements of passing credit, fraud and criminal record checks are the same. Each will appoint a Senior Responsible Officer who will be accountable to the Law Society for the compliance of staff with the rules.

A risk-based points system has been devised by the Law Society with the Council of Mortgage Lenders and the Association of British Insurers so that applicants who have a poor record of complaints, a high-risk profile or are inefficient will not be listed under the scheme or be able to use the CQS logo and branding on the business's letterheads or website.

Helping residential conveyancing solicitors to be recognised for their professional abilities in times of recession is one of the reasons for the scheme being started and it is expected to build into a well-recognised benchmark of quality service and value for money. It is also hoped that it will raise standards and force negligent property lawyers out of the market.