This is relevant to the  many firms we know are preparing for Lexcel accreditation and are also submitting bids for new Family contracts with the Legal Services Commission. The Law Society has published the timetable for Lexcel accreditation, in time to meet the LSC's deadline of accreditation confirmed by August 2012. The Law Society stresses that this timetable will be strictly enforced. Timescale 2011 03 October Close for initial applications form submissions 18 November Initial application decision deadline 2012 1 February Family contracts start 28 February Initial assessment visit deadline 31 May All corrective action received 31 July Final decision on accreditation issued