Civil news: changes to the specialist quality mark standard

Updates are being made to the Specialist Quality Mark (SQM) standard which will be coming into force on 1 October 2022.

The new SQM standard will apply to all applications for a desktop audit and requests for a full audit made after 1 October.

We are making these changes following a review and the details are set out on our quality standards page on GOV.UK.

What is the SQM standard?

The SQM is a quality assurance standard owned by the Legal Aid Agency. It is designed to ensure providers:

• are well managed
• give good levels of client care
• deliver good quality advice through appropriate systems

It is a requirement for legal aid contract holders to hold either the SQM or the Law Society’s equivalent ‘Lexcel’ accreditation.