High standards

High standards have brought the service a top prize, after it was awarded the specialist quality mark by the Legal Services Commission (LSC).

The mark is the quality standard for legal information, advice and specialist legal services. The authority's consumer advice service, which supplies a regular column in the Evening Press, right, is one of the first in the country to be handed the accolade.

It's a prize which has delighted chiefs at the Guildhall, but bosses said they would not now be resting on their laurels.

Colin Rumford, head of environmental health and trading standards at the council, said: "A service which achieves a specialist quality mark demonstrates that it is well run, has good-quality control mechanisms and the highest standard of information and advice.

"In order to achieve the accreditation, the Consumer Advice Service had to show it met the stringent standards of quality assurance that the LSC expects, as well as undergoing a rigorous audit.

"However, we can't rest on our laurels as it is a condition of the award that recipients show continuous improvement in the service they offer to their clients and undertake regular further audits in order to maintain this prestigious award."

Peter Nelson, regional director of the Legal Services Commission for Yorkshire and Humberside, said: "Our work is fundamental to social and legal justice, and we help people, some of whom are among the most vulnerable in our society.

"The commission developed its Quality Mark to help people gain trust in the legal system. The mark is only awarded to organisations that pass regular quality checks.

"When you approach a quality- marked organisation for help, you can be confident of receiving a service that meets an agreed minimum standard.

"This is a perfect example of how we are working towards modernising access to justice and offer more than 'legal aid'."

Updated: 11:21 Thursday, August 11, 2005