The Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test

Please note: As of 1st September 2010 the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test has been replaced by the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS). There will be transitional arrangements for eligible QLTT candidates who hold a Certificate of Eligibility under the QLTT scheme.

In an increasingly global business environment, lawyers with a dual qualification are able to offer a more competitive and useful service to clients.

If you have already started or have a Certificate of Eligibility under the QLTT - then read on.

If you wish to find out about the QLTS - then see here.

QLTT (Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test)

The Qualified Lawyers Transfer Regulations (QLTR) allow certain overseas lawyers to become qualified as solicitors in England and Wales.

From September 2010, the QLTT (Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test) is being phased out, and has been replaced by the QLTS. There is a 3-year transition period during which qualified overseas lawyers who successfully applied for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) under the QLTT scheme before 31 August 2010 will still be able to requalify under the QLTT.

The following information relates to the QLTT. See here for information about the new QLTS.

Taking the QLTT - Eligibility

Applications for eligibility under the QLTT had to be lodged on or before 31 August 2010.

There are usually two requirements that applicants applying under the QLTR are required to meet (depending on which primary jurisdiction they are qualified in) before they can apply for admission as a solicitor of England and Wales.

Pass the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test (QLTT), and/or
Satisfy a two-year legal experience requirement (which includes experience of practising the law of England and Wales).

Current QLTT information from the Solicitor's Regulation Authority can be found here.

QLTT - application, preparation, test sitting and admission to the Roll

Please click here for full details, including costs and fees. Following are brief details of the exam topics and dates.

What does the QLTT cover?

The QLTT covers four subjects, known as Heads:

Head I:	Property Examination	3 hour written examination
Head II:	Litigation - Civil or Criminal Examination	3 hour written examination
Head III:	Professional Conduct & Accounts Examination	3 hour written examination
Head IV:	Principles of Common Law	oral examination (held in London only)

The exams are based on the Test Specification.

See this page for more general test information, and for detailed provisions see the QLTT Candidate Handbook which is linked from that page

Lawyers initially qualified in jurisdictions in the Asia Pacific region usually have to sit the following Heads:

Australia, Hong Kong (Barrister), Malaysia, New Zealand , Papua New Guinea:	Head III (Professional Conduct & Accounts)
Hong Kong (Solicitor), Singapore:	Test not required

Test Dates and Locations

8 February 2012 - Sydney and London only
25 April 2012 - London, Hong Kong, New Delhi, Mumbai
1 August 2012 - London only
31 October 2012 - Sydney, London, Hong Kong, New Delhi, Mumbai

Unless otherwise indicated you can undertake the examination for Head III of the QLTT in either Sydney or Hong Kong, and you can undertake the distance learning course or Online Revision programme anywhere you choose.

Examinations for the Test can also be undertaken in London, Mumbai or New Delhi should that be more convenient for you at the time. Unless otherwise stated the various examinations are generally held simultaneously at all venues.

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