Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS)
6
Qualifi ed Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS) www.sra.org.uk/qlts
Transcript of Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS)
Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS)
www.sra.org.uk/qlts
Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS)
What is the QLTS?The QLTS is the fast-track route by which lawyers from other jurisdictions can be admitted by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) as solicitors of England and Wales1
The QLTS ensures that a lawyer qualified in another jurisdiction has met the standard of knowledge and skill required of a newly qualified solicitor of England and Wales. This is done through two separate tests which are administered on the SRA’s behalf by Kaplan QLTS.
Who can apply?Applicants for the QLTS must be qualified lawyers from recognised jurisdictions. A list of qualifications and recognised jurisdictions is available on the SRA website (www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/qlts). Although it would be to your advantage, you do not have to have worked in England and Wales, or have studied at a UK law school, in order to be eligible to sit the tests. You will however need to provide evidence that you meet the English language requirements, such as a degree taught in English or by sitting an English language test, such as IELTS (see our website for further details).
If you are not fully qualified in your home jurisdiction you will not be able to sit the QLTS and you will need to join the domestic route to qualification at the appropriate stage in order to become a solicitor of England and Wales (www.lawsociety.org.uk/careersinlaw/becomingasolicitor.page).
If you are an EU national, are fully qualified as a barrister of England and Wales, or are a lawyer from another jurisdiction of the United Kingdom then there is a slightly different transfer process and you should get in touch with the SRA Contact Centre for further information (see useful contacts at the end of this leaflet).
If your qualification or jurisdiction is not yet recognised by the SRA then you can assist us by asking the relevant regulatory authority in the jurisdiction of your qualification to email us for a survey ([email protected]).
1 The QLTS replaced the QLTT on 1 September 2010
We will then check that your qualification and jurisdiction meet our regulatory requirements for recognition. This process can take some months, so you should factor this in before applying to the SRA.
How do I apply?
Step 1: Ensure your qualification and jurisdiction are listed.
Step 2: Ensure you meet the English language requirement.
Step 3: Apply to your home jurisdiction regulator for confirmation that you are admitted in your home jurisdiction and have no outstanding disciplinary matters on your record.
Step 4: Apply to the SRA using the QLTS application form available at (www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/qlts/).
Step 5: The SRA will provide you with a Certificate of Eligibility to sit the QLTS. At this point you should contact Kaplan QLTS (www.kaplanqlts.com) to book a place on the assessments.
Step 6: Once you have passed both the Multiple Choice Test (MCT) and the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), you can apply to the SRA for admission as a solicitor of England and Wales.
What do the tests involve?The QLTS comprises two tests: The Multiple Choice Test (MCT) and the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). You must pass the MCT before you can sit the OSCE.
The MCTThe Multiple Choice Test is designed to test Part A of the SRA’s Day One Outcomes, namely the knowledge of law expected of a newly qualified solicitor of England and Wales (see Outcome A at www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/qlts)). More details and sample questions can be found at www.kaplanqlts.com.
The OSCEThe OSCE tests Parts C, D and F of the SRA’s Day One Outcomes, namely the further practical legal knowledge and skills expected of a newly qualified solicitor of England and Wales (see Outcomes C, D and F at www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/qlts)
In the OSCE candidates will be examined in the three practice areas of:• Business• Property and Probate• Civil and Criminal litigation
In each of these practice areas candidates will do each of the following exercises or stations once:• Client interview and completion of attendance
note/case analysis• Advocacy/oral presentation• Legal research• Legal writing• Legal drafting
The first two of these stations (the client interview and completion of attendance note/case analysis and the advocacy/oral presentation) are known as Part 1 of the OSCE. The last three of these stations (the legal research, legal writing and legal drafting) are known as Part 2 of the OSCE. For logistical reasons Parts 1 and 2 are normally held on different days.
Where are the tests held?Both the MCT and the OSCE are held at locations in London.
It is the responsibility of candidates to ensure that they have obtained the necessary visas in good time in order to sit the tests.
How often are the tests run?The tests are run twice a year. For dates see the Kaplan QLTS website at www.kaplanqlts.com
How can I prepare?There is no mandatory preparation for the tests and it is up to each candidate to determine for themselves how much preparation they need and how best to go about it. The SRA’s Day One Outcomes and indicative content form the syllabus for the QLTS assessments and there are some sample questions on the Kaplan QLTS website. There are however a growing number of legal education and training providers who are offering both face-to-face and distance-learning preparatory courses for the different tests.
What if I fail a test?You must pass both the MCT and the OSCE in order to be able to apply for admission as a solicitor of England and Wales and you must do so within the five-year period of validity of your certificate of eligibility. You have three attempts at both the MCT and the OSCE within this five-year period but you must pass the MCT before you can take the OSCE.
How much does it cost in total to re-qualify as a solicitor of England and Wales?The cost of requalification can be broken down as follows:• Application for a certificate of eligibility = £200 • The cost of the tests:
• MCT = £500 (+Value Added Tax (VAT))• OSCE = £2,925 (+VAT)
• Cost of admission application after passing the tests = £100
How long does it take to re-qualify?A candidate who has received his or her certificate of eligibility to sit the QLTS assessments could in theory be admitted as a solicitor in less than a year, if they pass each test at the first sitting and have no suitability issues. The tests are held twice a year. You should receive the results of your MCT in time to book on the next sitting of the OSCE.
Candidates may apply for admission as soon as they have passed both the MCT and the OSCE by completing the appropriate admissions application and paying the £100 fee. You can obtain this form from the website.
www.sra.org.uk/qlts
If you have lived in the UK you will be required to complete an applicant screening and if there are similar vetting checks in the countries where you have worked,we may require you to submit these checks too.
All applicants for admission are subject to a Suitability Test (see www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/handbook/suitabilitytest/). If the SRA uncovers issues with your character and suitability, this may prevent you from being admitted.
You will also be asked at this stage whether you wish to take part in a voluntary admission ceremony in London. These ceremonies are held twice a month throughout the year, at The Law Society in London.
Once you are a solicitor of England and Wales you will be asked every year to renew your practising certificate online. Alternatively you can opt to stay on the roll of solicitors, which enables you to call yourself a non-practising solicitor.
Useful informationwww.sra.org.uk/qltswww.kaplanqlts.com
SRA Contact Centre: 00 44 (0)121 329 6800 or via our website www.sra.org.uk/contact-us/
For a survey to become a Recognised Jurisdiction: [email protected]
Kaplan QLTS: +44 (0)29 2045 1000 or email [email protected]
October 2013
