Taking the QLTT - Eligibility, Application and Test Preparation

Are you eligible to take the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test?

Eligibility is governed by The Qualified Lawyers Transfer Regulations 2009 and depends mainly upon the jurisdiction in which you are primarily qualified as a lawyer. How many of the four QLTT Heads (exams) you will need to take depends on your eligibility. There is also usually a 2-year common law legal practice requirement with at least one year being gained in the law of England and Wales.

A detailed list of the requirements for different jurisdictions is found at the end of the Solicitors Regulation Authority Information Brochure.

The Steps to the QLTT and Admission in England and Wales

You will need to take the following steps in order to qualify as an English solicitor (each step is explained in more detail below):

* The Test Registration Fee allows you to sit at three sittings over a one-year period. After that a further registration fee is necessary. The test sitting fee must be paid each time.

Note: Fees for items 2-5 current have been adjusted to reflect prevailing exchange rates. 

Step 1: The Certificate of Eligibility from the Law Society of England & Wales

The first step for any lawyer who wishes to qualify via the QLTT is to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility, by application to the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Advice on how to complete the application is in the Information Brochure.

Note that one of the prerequisites for eligibility is at least two years of common law legal experience in the last five years, with one of the two years being experience in English law. However, not having the experience of English law is not a barrier to obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility to sit the exam, but without that experience the certificate is likely to contain a condition that, if successful in the exam, you cannot be admitted until you obtain that experience. The SRA's Information Brochure has details about what type of experience is required (contentious and non-contentious in three distinct areas of law).

Download the Solicitors Regulation Authority's Application Form or apply directly to:

The Finance Department
The Solicitor's Regulation Authority
Ipsley Court, Redditch
Worcestershire B98 0TD
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 152 750 4450
Email: contactcentre@sra.org.uk

The Solicitors Regulation Authority will require you to lodge supporting documents with your application form, such as evidence of your academic and professional qualifications, a certificate of good standing, and details of your experience. There is detailed guidance in the Information Brochure. The Certificate of Eligibility is valid for three years from the date of issue.

You should submit your application form, together with all the required documents and the fee at an early stage, as the issuing process can take approximately 10 - 12 weeks.

Please note that eligibility to sit the Test, and exemptions from any part of the Test, are matters dealt with solely by The Solicitors Regulation Authority. The Certificate of Eligibility will confirm which Heads of the Test you must pass, together with any requirements for further training or work experience.

Step 2: Applying to Undertake the QLTT

Complete the QLTT Application Form.

If you have not obtained your Certificate of Eligibility from The Solicitors Regulation Authority, but wish to undertake the study or revision option, you can do so. However you will need to make another application to undertake the examination when you have received your Certificate, using the same application form.

Read the next section on the course before lodging the application form.

You will need to devote considerable time to preparing for the Test. We recommend you allow at least two months prior to the Test to prepare on a part-time basis.

Tuition is not compulsory - you can elect to take the test without it - but we do recommend prior learning to help you prepare.

Step 3: The Distance Learning Course

The Distance Learning Course prepares you for the examination in Professional Conduct & Accounts, which is Head III of the Test. You can study at home or wherever best suits you, at your own pace and at a convenient time. It is not compulsory to undertake this course in order to sit for the Test, but it is highly recommended. You do not need to have your Certificate of Eligibility from the Law Society before you commence the distance learning course, but the course fee is non-refundable.

Course Materials

You are able to prepare by using our paper-based correspondence course, which includes:

• a study manual, which emphasises the most important topics and provides a structured framework for learning, and “test your knowledge” questions
• one specimen test paper (but not suggested answers)
• a direct email link to a tutor who is available to respond to your queries
• assignments, which are marked and returned with feedback

Candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of:

• the fundamental principles of professional conduct, as set out in the Solicitors' Code of Conduct, with particular emphasis on the professional duties set out in Rules 1-11 of the Code
• the purpose and scope of the financial services regulatory framework in general and its application in particular to solicitors' firms, including the role of the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and The Solicitors Regulation Authority and the requirements relating to financial matters
• the broad principles of the legislation designed to counter money laundering and the Money Laundering Regulations 2003 (MLR), and the relevance of the money laundering regime for solicitors' firms
• the Solicitors' Accounts Rules

Mock Test Paper

We offer you the opportunity to do a realistic mock Test at a time convenient to you and, as the paper is available throughout the year, without time pressures.

How it Works:

The mock Test paper will be available to you from the first day of the month prior to that in which you plan to take your Test. For example, you want to take the Test in October, the Mock Test is available to you from 1st September.

The mock Test will be sent to you by email. If you would like the Test marked, you should return it via email within 7 days. The paper will be marked by the same experienced College of Law tutors who mark the actual Test.

Your script will be returned to you by email marked with substantive feedback to prepare you before you take your Test.

The mock Test provides an invaluable opportunity to gauge the standard of your knowledge and understanding of Head III.

Specimen Test Paper

You can download this from our website, free of charge. Please see the Specimen Test section.

A reading list is also available.

Step 4: The Online Revision Programme

The College Alliance partners have pioneered the use of online (“i-learning”) materials on our main legal qualification programmes. We are pleased to now offer i-learning to candidates for our Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test.

Our new Online Revision programme for Head III (Professional Conduct & Accounts) is a blend of computer-based interactive learning materials, typically containing video and text-based presentations, plus a range of activities for candidates to complete on screen – reinforcing key learning objectives and providing instant feedback to check understanding. It includes:

• structured learning at a speed controlled by you
• increased engagement and interaction with the subject matter through effective one on one delivery
• improved consistency of delivery, content and activity
• total flexibility – you can study at a time and place of your choosing
• re-usability – you can replay the whole or part of the Online Revision session
• test and feedback exercises

There are six Online Revision programme intakes each year – 1 February, 1 April, 1 June, 1 August, 1 October and 1 December. However, candidates must enrol before the deadline date. For example, if you wish to commence your online revision programme on 1 December, you should enrol during November.

Once enrolled, you will have access to the online revision materials for a 6 month period from the start date you have chosen.

Test and feedback exercises are interactive exercises which test your understanding and knowledge through a series of on-screen questions that you can complete at your own pace and at a time that suits you. You get instant, on-screen feedback. You can access the exercise on multiple occasions.

NEW Distance Learning package – save 20%

In our experience, QLTT candidates benefit from a full programme of learning, revision and exam practice before taking the Test. With this in mind, we have put together two inclusive QLTT packages that give you the benefit of our full range of training – with a 20% saving compared to booking the elements individually. Distance learning package
Available for all Heads, this flexible package blends distance learning, online study and online support – meaning you can study where and when you choose, with no need to travel to the College before the Test date. Please note that the test registration fee is not included as part of the distance learning package. Here’s what’s included:

Distance learning materials – gain the knowledge
↓
Online revision tool – refresh your knowledge
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Specimen test – check out the Test format
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Mock Test – test your knowledge and receive feedback
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Access to QLTT Helpdesk – we answer your queries
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Test  

Step 5: The Test

The examination is of three hours duration, with no additional reading time, and is one of aptitude rather than memory. You can take in any book, document or written material. Guidance on what you can, or should, take into the examination will be provided to you with the course materials.

The examination is based on the Prescribed Syllabus.

Special Needs

If you require special examination arrangements, please enclose full details of your needs, together with any supporting medical or other evidence, with your Application Form.

Pass Mark

To pass the examination for Head III you must obtain not less than 50% of the available marks. You must also obtain at least 60% of the marks attributable to the Professional Conduct, Financial Services and Money Laundering half of the paper and at least 40% of the marks attributable to the Accounts part of the paper. 

Conditions Applying to the Test

Please ensure you are familiar with the Terms and Conditions applying to the Test.

Results will be posted out to candidates six to eight weeks after the examination. A list of successful candidates will also be posted on The College of Law England & Wales website at www.college-of-law.co.uk/qltt

Step 6: Applying for Admission to the Roll of Solicitors

As soon as you have passed all of your required Head(s) of the QLTT and satisfied any work experience imposed, you will be eligible to apply for admission to the Roll of Solicitors of England & Wales.

You do not need to send in your Certificate of Eligibility. However, if your Certificate of Eligibility required you to do further work experience then you will need to provide that information. You will then need to send in one or more letters from employers, confirming dates of employment and duties undertaken.

As part of its quality programme and to aid consumer protection, the SRA has introduced a compulsory requirement for all individuals to obtain a satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. Therefore, to ensure that your admission to the Roll of Solicitors may proceed, you must complete and return a CRB Disclosure Application Form to us. Failure to do so will prevent your admission from proceeding.

The SRA will make use of the CRB checks in other jurisdictions where these are available. Further details on how you can obtain this can be found on the CRB website at www.crb.gov.uk/overseas. Once we have received a satisfactory result from these checks we will be able to grant your admission to the Roll of Solicitors.

If you are intending to practise as a solicitor upon your admission to the Roll of Solicitors you will need to apply for a practising certificate (PC). You can request both the application form for admission (AD1) and for a practising certificate (RF3) and the CRB Disclosure Application Form from Information Services (telephone +44 1527 504 433). For more information, please see: www.sra.org.uk

Please note that you will be required to produce another certificate of good standing from your primary (first) jurisdiction when you apply for admission to the Roll of Solicitors.

You need to give the Law Society at least 28 days' notice in your request for admission. There are generally two admission dates each month, on the 1st and 15th days of the month. If you apply for admission for a specific date and the Law Society does not receive the documentation in time for that admission date, your application will automatically be put forward to the next admission date (you will not need to reapply).

If you reside in the United Kingdom, you will be invited to attend an admission ceremony which will take place some months after your admission. Attendance is optional.

Following admission to the Roll of Solicitors of England & Wales, you will be subject to the normal Continuing Professional Development requirements for all newly admitted English solicitors. Details regarding the requirements can be found on the section of the SRA site regarding CPD.

QLTT Application Form

Click here for a copy of this form.

Terms and Conditions

General

Enrolment for a distance learning tuition does not constitute enrolment for the examination itself.

Fees must be paid in full upon enrolment and are non-refundable. A booking can only be made when payment is received.

The copyright of all course materials remains that of The College of Law. Such materials may not be produced either in whole or in part, by any method whatsoever, without prior permission having been given in writing by The College of Law. Once supplied, course materials become the personal property of the student to whom they are issued and may not be used by any other person.

The course materials are reviewed/updated annually and are valid for one year from 1 July and running through to 30 June the next year. If a candidate purchases material before 30 June and then needs to sit/resit after 1 July, they will be required to purchase the updated course material. Any major changes in legislation and/or regulations will be included in a separate update distributed to candidates. It is the responsibility of the candidate to track and monitor minor changes.

Access to the Online Revision programme (Head III) is for six months only, from date of purchase.

The dates, times and venues of the exam are provisional. Whilst the College will try to adhere to the published programme, we reserve the right to make changes if this becomes necessary. Any changes will be notified in advance.

Prices are correct as at the time of last update of this website. Prices are only valid for the sittings of the QLTT until December 2009.

All places offered on the tuition and Test are subject to availability and demand. Please ensure you have read the Test Regulations prior to signing the booking form.

You will receive written confirmation of your booking. Joining instructions will be forwarded approximately 2 weeks prior to the start of the tuition or Test.

Early Booking

Tuition and Test: Places are limited and early booking is recommended. Once the maximum number of candidates is reached, we will not be able to accept any further bookings.

Test Entry

Any legal proceedings, whether in contract or otherwise, arising out of, or in connection with an application to sit the Test, shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England.

Any contract between you and The College of Law of England and Wales shall be governed by the law of England.

Any examination paper written by the candidate shall be the property of The College of Law of England and Wales and by signing the booking form, you waive any intellectual property right in such.

The College of Law will discharge its obligations in relation to the provision of any advance information or materials relating to the Test by sending the relevant information or materials to the candidate by first class mail/airmail at the address specified by the candidate on their application form. No appeal against a decision of the Enrolment Board will lie on the grounds that the information or materials was/were not received by the candidate.

Applicable Law: You will be examined on the law as it is in force on the day of the examination. It is your responsibility to make sure your knowledge and study materials are up to date.

Registration Fee: The registration fee allows you to sit your paper over two consecutive sittings. Thereafter, a further registration fee is payable. The test sitting fee is payable.

Cancellation

By the Candidate: All fees are non-refundable. If you fail to attend a Test for which an enrolment has been made, the full fee will be charged.

By the College: In the unlikely event that we have to cancel, the course fee will be reimbursed (less the cost of the distance learning materials if applicable), but the College shall incur no further liability.

Deferral

To postpone one or more Heads of the Test, The College of Law must be notified in writing at least 10 working days before the date of the examination. An administration charge of $100 (+ GST if applicable) will be charged.

A partial credit reflecting the difference between the fees paid and the fees due for any Heads taken in that sitting will be carried over against an enrolment by the same candidate for the next Test sitting. The fee to be carried forward will be confirmed in writing. A new application for the next Test to be entered must be submitted, together with the balance of the fee before the Test deadline.

Data Protection

The College of Law needs to hold certain personal information about its candidates. Information will be held in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and the College's Data Protection Policy. Further details of the Data Protection policy and Data Protection declaration can be found on The College of Law's website at www.college-of-law.co.uk. Agreement to the processing of personal data is a condition of acceptance onto any course. By enrolling on an examination or tuition course you signify your agreement to this processing.

Acceptance of Terms and Conditions

Your booking cannot be accepted if you have not signed the application form.