New professional benchmark for software vendors

Press Release. 26th September 2018

Legal Software Suppliers Association (LSSA) implements new Code of Conduct

The LSSA has recently introduced an enhanced code of conduct which all member companies have agreed to adhere to. This code of conduct is a commitment to law firms from LSSA member companies of the high standard of professional excellence they can expect to receive. The code is backed by the Association’s disciplinary procedure. This new benchmark will give law firms confidence that LSSA members will operate to high professional and ethical standards.

LSSA Chair Julian Bryan comments: “The LSSA code of conduct ensures that LSSA members act as ‘good and upstanding’ suppliers to the legal services market. The code gives law firms the confidence that if they use the services of an LSSA member company they will be treated ethically and with the utmost professionalism.”

Tackling an industry issue head-on, one of the key tenets of the code is that LSSA members must recognise the right of customers to move between software systems and facilitate such moves with provision of customers’ data in a reasonable timescale and at reasonable cost. This is covered by a data transfer white paper shortly to be released.

In another move, the LSSA which has been established for 22 years, has now formalised its legal status into a company limited by guarantee.

The full code of conduct is shown below and can be seen on the LSSA website here:

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About the Legal Software Suppliers Association (LSSA)

The LSSA is the UK industry body for legal systems developers and vendors. Representing most of the leading UK suppliers, the LSSA sets and maintains professional standards within the legal software industry, and also manages areas of mutual interest between lawyers and software providers. The LSSA is committed to developing clear channels of communication, so that law firms can gain the maximum benefit from their selected software solutions.

The LSSA provides a highly representative and unified voice for the legal software industry and is therefore best placed to provide a strong focus in establishing standards and cooperation between suppliers, professional bodies, and government organisations. The association has set up and actively contributes to a number of different working parties and forums, representing and lobbying on behalf of its members with government bodies such as HM Land Registry, HMRC and the LAA as well as other organisations within the legal market such as the Law Society.

LSSA Code of Conduct:

INTRODUCTION

By joining or renewing membership of the LSSA each member undertakes to comply with the obligations set our below in order to promote high levels of service quality to the legal profession.

Failure to adhere to the Code of Practice or any part hereof is a disciplinary offence under the Rules of the LSSA.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

For more information please visit www.lssa.co.uk

Media contact: Chaz Brooks, brookscomm chaz@brookscomm.com tel: 01483 537890