Penningtons Solicitors LLP has been shortlisted for the Law Society Excellence Awards which showcase excellence across every facet of the legal profession and are considered to be one of the most prestigious events in the legal calendar.
The judges received a record number of entries this year from across the UK, meaning that all shortlisted firms had to achieve particularly high standards.The winners will be announced at a gala dinner hosted by Mishal Husain, BBC World News presenter, on 22 October 2009 at the Royal Horticultural Halls, Greycoat Street, London SW1.
Penningtons has been nominated in the Excellence in Practice Management category which is sponsored by Lloyds TSB Commercial. It rewards excellence in practice management and service delivery from law firms which have successfully implemented the Law Society's Lexcel quality standard for best practice. Penningtons has had the Lexcel standard for six years and has used it as a driver for constant improvement in the way the firm is managed. Among the initiatives which it has taken in the last year to enhance standards are the appointment of a dedicated risk and compliance team to manage its quality systems and the introduction of a new client relationship management system. This has enabled Penningtons to understand its clients' needs more clearly and to provide detailed information to its lawyers to help them meet these needs in the most effective way possible.
Commenting on Penningtons' nomination, Tim Palmer who is managing partner of the firm's Basingstoke office as well as Penningtons' quality standards partner, says: "We are delighted that the steps we have taken to tighten up our management procedures have been recognised in this way. Our streamlined systems mean that we have been able to improve the quality of service we provide as our solictors are able to spend more time working for clients and less time on administration."