The QLTS Replaced the QLTT in September 2010

The SRA and Legal Services Board approved the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS) regulations for internationally qualified lawyers in 2010, which replaced the previous Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test (QLTT) exams. What does this mean in practice to any lawyer who wishes to qualify as an English solicitor? Here are the main differences between the QLTS and QLTT exams:

• The QLTS is open to a far greater number of jurisdictions than the previous QLTT, such as Japan, China, Russia, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina and other countries.
• Applicants have to undertake written and practical or ‘clinical’ assessments, known as the MCT, OSCE and TLST.
• International Lawyers will not be given exemptions from any element of the assessment, unless they have previously passed the Legal Practice Course (LPC).
• There is no training or previous experience of English law requirement (the QLTT had a requirement of two years of Common Law experience).
• QLTS Certificates of Eligibility are valid for 5 years rather than 3 years under the previous QLTT. No more than 3 attempts at each assessment are permitted during the five-year validity of the Certificate of Eligibility.
• Applicants from non-EU countries or those who have not studied their law degree in English are required to take a separate English language test, such as IELTS, before being allowed to take any of the assessments.
• EEA, Swiss and Intra- UK applicants will have their qualifications and experience individually assessed. On the basis of this assessment, the SRA will decide which assessments will need to be passed.
• Unlike the QLTT exam which was offered in the US, Australia, Hong Kong, South Africa and India, the QLTS assessments are currently offered in the UK (the MCT is going to be offered in New York City in January 2013).
• The QLTT exam was administered by several test providers on behalf of the SRA. The QLTS is administered by a sole assessment provider which is not allowed to offer training for the assessments.

If you have obtained your QLTT Certificate of Eligibility before September 2010, you can still take the QLTT exams until the expiry of your QLTT Certificate of Eligibility or August 2013, the earlier of the two. If you have a valid QLTT Certificate of Eligibility, it does not preclude you from obtaining a QLTS Certificate of Eligibility and sit the QLTS assessments. You do not need to wait for your QLTT Certificate of Eligibility to expire in order to apply for the QLTS, providing you are eligible to do so.

I Have a Valid QLTT Certificate of Eligibility. Can I Use it to Take the QLTS Assessments?

Yes, under certain circumstances. The Legal Services Board (LSB) approved in April 2012 amendments to the QLTR Regulations 2009 which allow candidates with a valid QLTT Certificate of Eligibility who have passed the QLTT exams to complete the OSCE and TLST assessments of the QLTS, in lieu of satisfying the two years' experience requirement of the QLTR. The SRA may consider on a case by case basis to extend your QLTT Certificate of Eligibility (maximum extension is until 31 August 2013) in order to enable you to take advantage of this option. QLTS School has tailored a special preparation course for QLTT candidates who meet these criteria - learn more. 

How to Get Started with the QLTS?

QLTS School tutors and administrative staff have many years of experience in delivering the QLTT exams and are here to provide you with the best advice and training courses for the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme assessments.