The Conveyancing Quality Scheme - A Guide for Demonstrating Compliance

Introduction

Changes to the Conveyancing Quality Scheme in recent years has seen the introduction of both desktop and onsite assessments which the Law Society have been actively carrying out since May 2022. Practices are selected for assessment both reactively and through random selection.

The assessment is technical and quantitative and requires accredited firms to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the CQS scheme throughout the practice, including the ability to evidence the requirements of the Core Practice Management Standard and the Conveyancing Protocols through the conduct of conveyancing files, so it is important practices get this right.

In addition, the SRA have stepped up enforcement actions against practices who are failing to comply with the complex Money Laundering Regulations in recent months. Compliance with the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 is a key feature of CQS compliance and therefore CQS accredited practices need to ensure they understand what is expected of them.

This course is specifically designed for firms who are both CQS accredited and those firms who are currently working towards accreditation.

The seminar is aimed at Conveyancing fee earners, SROs and those were preparing the convenience department for assessment, and the course will equip practices with the in-depth practical and technical expertise needed to successfully and swiftly implement policies and procedures to enable practices to survive the assessment achieve a positive outcome from the SRA AML Thematic Review visit.

The presenter, Tracy Thompson, former Lead CQS Assessor, has worked with hundreds of practices in assisting them with their CQS compliance since her appointment in 2019. Tracy will provide guidance to interpret the requirements of standard whilst guiding practices in how to develop and improve their levels of compliance.

Tracy also works with many firms nationwide in undertaking Regulation 21 Independent AML Audits to assist firms with their obligations under the Money Laundering Regulations and Tracy will spend time working through what the SRA expect to see in practices to meet their requirements. Tracy will also advise how Practices can prepare for the SRA Thematic Review visit if they have not yet already had one undertaken.

What You Will Learn

The course will look in detail at the following:

• Changes to the CQS scheme
• Key requirements of the Core Practice Management Standard (CPMS)
• Implementing required policies and procedures within your practice
• Key features of how to demonstrate compliance with the CQS standard
• Common non-compliances
• Expectations of the Regulators in relation to AML compliance
• Preparing adequately for an AML Thematic Review visit