Legal services providers accredited under the Specialist Quality Mark (SQM) will benefit from a major change later this year. From 1 October 2025, the SQM accreditation period will be extended from three years to five years, meaning SQM holders will not have to be audited as frequently – a welcome relief from admin work!

Who will this affect?

The extended accreditation period will apply to any provider undergoing either a Pre-Quality Mark Audit or a Post-Quality Mark Audit on or after 1 October 2025.

For example, a provider who completes their audit on 3 October 2025 and is awarded the SQM shortly after will receive a five-year accreditation.

Need to know more?

Further information can be found at:

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/change-to-specialist-quality-mark-accreditation-period