BURY-BASED solicitors Clough and Willis are celebrating a double achievement.

They have been re-recognised as Investors in People (IIP) and once more achieved recognition from the Legal Aid Board for their Personal Injury and Family Law departments.

Investors in People is a nationally recognised standard which sets a level of good practice for training and development of people to achieve business goals.

The firm first received the award three years ago after demonstrating a commitment to investing in its most valuable asset - its staff.

Managing partner Max Bailey said: "The Investors in People award recognised the firm's commitment to staff training. That training benefits not only the staff but all of our clients.

"IIP provides a way for Clough and Willis to improve our business performance by planning and setting our objectives and developing people at all levels to meet those goals."

The re-recognition follows a visit to the firm by an independent assessor who interviewed staff at all levels of seniority and concluded that the firm demonstrated continued commitment to the ethos and practice of IIP.

In addition, the firm has once more been approved by the Legal Aid Board, whose annual inspection of Legal Aid files is a necessary part of the franchise system. The firm holds a franchise in both personal injury and family law. Chris Macwilliam, partner in charge of the personal injury department, said: "We are always pleased to welcome the audit of our files by the Legal Aid Board and to take on board suggestions they make.

"We were pleased once again to pass the inspection to a high standard for both departments."

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