LAW9000
LAW9000 is a management and quality system framework based on the ISO9000 framework but specifically adapted for Legal Practices. It provides an internationally accepted framework for quality business management principles and practices.
As well as incorporating the requirements of the ISO9000 standard, LAW9000 covers aspects unique to legal practice such as Matter File management and Risk Management Planning.
LAW9000 accredited firms insured with LawCover also receive a 10% discount on their annual professional indemnity insurance premium.
Firms which decide to take their practice to the next level by seeking LAW9000 accreditation are making a serious commitment to pursuing excellence in their internal management and service delivery. The decision is the first step in a journey which will transform your practice and yield significant dividends in productivity and profitability for years to come.
Practice Builders can assist you at every stage in the journey, by:
- Explaining the fundamentals of LAW9000
- Performing the initial Gap Analysis
- Marketing the benefits of accreditation to your staff
- Establishing a project plan for implementation
- Building a network with other firms who have achieved LAW9000 Certification and sharing their experiences with you
- Engaging with your key clients in the process so they recognize the point of difference that LAW9000 will bring to your relationship with them
Assisting with the initial Gap Analysis
The initial Gap Analysis is the first time that your practice is compared with the LAW9000 framework and it is a very useful indicator of where your practice currently complies with the standard and where it doesn’t.
We can then develop actions to address the non compliant areas identified in the gap analysis. This can involve process observation, interviewing and surveying staff, development of documented procedures and their implementation across the firm.
Staff Education
We can prepare a staff education program that describes the standard, how it works, the implementation schedule and how Law9000 standards can be applied to everyday work practices. A well informed staff who are enthusiastic about the process will make your project run smoothly and help to inculcate a culture of continuous quality improvement.
Policy and Procedures
We can assist you to review your procedures and processes as a first step in the journey.
It is important to remember LAW9000 does not prescribe how your Policies and Procedures should look – indeed many firms find that describing procedures using diagrams and checklists can complement the more traditional documentation approach.
Practice Builders can work with you to review and document all relevant processes in your firm so that they are applied in a uniform manner which complies with the LAW900 standard.
Getting the best value out of LAW9000 audits
A very real benefit of the external auditors is the fresh perspective they can bring to your business. We can work with you to help you to use these audits as a value adding process that assists you as manager/owner in transforming and improving your business.
Benefits to your Practice
The principles of LAW9000 can be applied in any legal practice anywhere, including small, medium and large firms, single location firms as well as firms with multiple offices across multiple jurisdictions, and corporate or government agency in-house counsel. Key benefits include:
- Improved Effectiveness of Internal Processes
- Greater Consistency in Service Delivery
- Improved Risk Management
- Fewer Customer Complaints
- Improved Customer Communication
- Reduced Insurance Premiums
Call us for an obligation free discussion about how we can assist you to achieve LAW9000 accreditation.