Sydney Mitchell strengthens conveyancing service

PROPERTY law firm Sydney Mitchell, which has offices in Birmingham, Sheldon and Shirley, has gained membership to the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme.

Adam Oleskow, partner, said: “It is an essential requirement of property law firms to have this accreditation. Increasingly mortgage lenders look for firms who provide high quality and standards. Sydney Mitchell underwent scrupulous assessment by the Law Society in order to secure CQS status, showing the high standards we set in our residential conveyancing process. This provides a higher level of credibility with regulators, lenders, insurers and of course our clients.”

Law Society president, John Wotton, said CQS had been introduced 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,” he said.

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.

Squire Sanders boosts pensions practice

SQUIRE SANDERS has strengthened its pensions practice in Birmingham with the appointment of associate, Victoria Leybourn.

Ms Leybourn, who has been recruited from Browne Jacobson, advises on all aspects of occupational pension plans including governance, legislative compliance, plan documentation, member queries and communications and is a member of the Association of Pensions Lawyers.

She also has expertise in advising on public sector pension schemes, including the application of Fair Deal. Her recent experience includes advising trustees in admissible rules for the purposes of PPF entry and on the impact of auto enrolment in relation to pension provision offered by companies.

Ian Forrest, head of the Birmingham pensions team, said: “Victoria’s appointment is an expression of the confidence we have in developing the practice. We are delighted that Victoria has joined us as she will play a pivotal role in the continued growth of the Birmingham team.”

Higgs & Sons raises insolvency offering

A MEMBER of the insolvency team at Higgs & Sons has become one of just six lawyers in the country to attain the Certificate of Proficiency in Insolvency qualification.
 
Oliver Ward-Jones, left, has achieved qualification, which measures technical and insolvency expertise.  The qualification, from the Insolvency Practitioners Association, is respected from both inside and outside of the insolvency profession.
 
David Ellis, a partner and head of Higgs’ insolvency team said: “This is great news for Oliver, the department and our clients. Insolvency is a challenging technical area of law and Oliver’s achievement helps to demonstrate the depth of knowledge within the insolvency team.”
 
Mr Ward-Jones, who specialises in advising directors of distressed businesses on both a personal and commercial basis, said: “On-going learning is vital in our field and gives our clients the reassurance that their legal team is qualified to the highest possible level.”