Grantham-based law firm JMP Solicitors has received a silver Investors in People accreditation for investment in its staff – an accolade which is awarded to just five per cent of those assessed.

Nationally recognised, Investors in People is a standard for people management that offers accreditation to companies that adhere to its exceptionally high standards.

JMP Solicitors first qualified for the Investors in People accreditation back in 2004 and earned its silver accreditation in May this year.

The firm will be recognised in this band until 2022, when it will then have to undergo a review to check standards are being upheld.

To achieve the award, the firm had to initially pass an online assessment with both directors and staff taking part.

Staff were then interviewed at the firm's office by Investors in People representatives, sharing evidence of good practice and team progression.

In order to reach a fair judgement, eight members of staff were selected by assessors to be interviewed, with individuals chosen based on a mixture of demographics including gender, length of service, position and age.

Ian Howard, managing director at JMP solicitors, said: "We believe in our people and have always been committed to investing in our team.

"As a firm with an ethos that is 'just more personal', our people are undoubtedly the key to the excellent delivery of our legal services, so we value staff progression highly.

"Our clients can always have reassurance that matters are being dealt with to the highest standard and our plethora of awards and accreditations confirm this.

"We are delighted to have received the silver Investors in People accreditation this year, which is testament to our success – next time we will be aiming for gold."

JMP holds a number of accreditations in specific areas of law and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The firm has been awarded the Law Society's top-quality mark for excellence (Lexcel), held by only 11 per cent of law firms in England and Wales, and in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, JMP has been recognised as a 'Leading Firm' by Legal 500.

JMP Solicitors also featured in the Chambers and Partners 2016 guide to legal services, where the firm was listed as a Band 1 provider of personal injury services in the Midlands.

The firm has recently been part of ground-breaking legal cases including the Network Rail Japanese Knotweed Court of Appeal case and the NHS Bevan medical negligence case.