Skip to main content

Operational Policies for CQS Conveyancing

By

CQS accredited firms must implement all required modifications to their firm’s policies, controls, and procedures (PCPs). It is essential to provide comprehensive training to staff regarding these changes, clearly documenting the effective date and the potential assessment regime in place, especially in anticipation of the CQS renewal.

The adjustments to the Core Practice Management Standard (CPMS) were officially published in February 2022 and became effective as of 1st May 2022. It is imperative for firms to thoroughly examine and assess the adequacy of their current PCPs ,as well as to evaluate the level of awareness displayed by their staff regarding the PCPs.

Well crafted policies can elevate a conveyancing department’s risk mitigation strategies and enhance overall working practices.

The following sample CQS Policy Templates are at your disposal for consideration and adaptation to align with your firm’s specific requirements:

CQS Policy Template for Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
Dealing with Lender Policy
Policy for Identification of Property Mortgage Fraud
Template Policy for Anti-Bribery
Business Continuity Plan/Policy
Anti-Money Laundering Policy Template
Policy for Information Management and Security
Learning and Development Policy
Conflict Handling Policy
Template Client Care Policy

The latest operational policies for CQS in conveyancing are now accessible from a number of specialist companies.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Argie Bargie over Home Information Packs

By
In response to a question from Conservative MP David Amess on what methodology would be used to use to evaluate the effectiveness of the Home Information Pack programme, Communities and Local Government Minister Ian Austin was involved in heated argument. The wording of the debate ( reported in Hansard ) makes interesting reading, so I thought I would share it with you : Mr. David Amess (Southend, West) (Con): What methodology his Department plans to use to evaluate the effectiveness of the home information pack programme; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Andrew Mackay (Bracknell) (Con): What methodology his Department plans to use to evaluate the effectiveness of the home information pack programme; and if he will make a statement. Mr. David Jones (Clwyd, West) (Con): What methodology his Department plans to use to evaluate the effectiveness of the home information pack programme; and if he will make a statement. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local...
Post a Comment
Read more

Paperwork is not a shield: Why your SRA aml audit demands more than just a dusty manual

By
The Solicitors Regulation Authority continues its aggressive crackdown on financial crime with a recent fine issued against Whiteheads Solicitors (Staffordshire) Ltd . This decision serves as a stark reminder that the regulator is looking far beyond simple paperwork during an SRA aml audit . The firm was fined 2,584 GBP plus 600 GBP in costs following an investigation into its compliance with the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017. While the firm had a firm-wide risk assessment and general policies in place, the SRA identified critical failures at the matter level. Key compliance failures included: Failure to conduct adequate client and matter risk assessments . The SRA found a consistent pattern where the firm failed to sufficiently assess client matter risk levels as required by Regulation 28. Inadequate scrutiny of source of funds . In one specific property transaction, the firm failed to properly investigate the origin of funds provided by ...
Post a Comment
Read more

FCA AML Audit: The SRA Is Out, the FCA Is In

By
For years, law firms prepared for AML scrutiny with one regulator in mind: the SRA. That era is over. The UK Government has confirmed a fundamental shift in supervision. AML and counter-terrorist financing oversight is moving from the SRA to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This is not a cosmetic change. It is a full regulatory reset. If your firm is still thinking in terms of an internal review, an FCA AML audit will feel very different, financially, operationally, and reputationally. What Makes an FCA AML Audit Different The SRA regulates professional standards. The FCA enforces financial crime controls. That distinction matters. An FCA AML audit is not designed to guide or educate. It is designed to assess risk to the financial system and determine whether enforcement action is required. This is precisely why firms can no longer rely on internal reviews alone. An FCA AML audit will expect to see independent challenge, most ...
Post a Comment
Read more