THE achievements of a local authority legal team have been recognised with a quality mark from the Law Society.

Following rigorous checks, East Sussex County Council has secured the legal practice quality mark, Lexcel, for the 15th year running.

Richard Grout, legal services manager at the county council, said: “We are delighted to have retained this quality mark which recognises the county council’s efforts in offering excellent customer service and managing the business to a high standard.

“As well as being testament to the hard work of our legal team, it also gives them the assurance that we are committed to delivering best practice and supporting an efficient business that focuses on client care.”

The accolade is only given to those legal teams who pass annual inspections and reassessment every three years, which includes background checks and an on-site visit from an independent assessor.

Jonathan Smithers, President of the Law Society of England and Wales, said Lexcel is a “beacon of quality to clients and potential clients”.

“Gaining and maintaining Lexcel is a considerable feat,” he added. “By undergoing the rigorous Lexcel application and assessment process, practices can show the positive steps which they are taking to help clients in the increasingly diverse and complicated legal services market.”