Legal Law

Becoming an English Lawyer: The Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS)

English law is held in high regard; London is among the top legal cities in the world; and talented and qualified barristers continue to seek to become English barristers.

Job prospects are decent for lawyers in the UK and by becoming an English barrister you increase your employability. Once qualified, you will be able to practice law in other countries, finding employment in England, Europe and further afield in countries such as Australia, South Africa and Russia. Furthermore, it broadens his professional knowledge, understanding and experience, which also broadens his career prospects.

As a qualified English solicitor, you will be in a stronger position to offer your current and future clients more legal services. As well as finding employment as a barrister in England and Wales, your broader career prospects are enhanced when you gain the QLTS. He may choose to practice law in his home jurisdiction, in which case he will benefit from a better career path and marketability. Or work as an English lawyer in London. Or maybe you even find a position with an international law firm that is based in the EU, and lives and works anywhere in the world.

Whichever career path is right for you, being an English solicitor will bring you more business and greater financial rewards. And this is reinforced by the high level of competition associated with newly qualified solicitors from England and Wales thanks to the assessment method, whether you choose the QLTS express route or the national route.

Under the existing Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme, the QLTS (formerly the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test, QLTT), international lawyers and lawyers in England and Wales, are assessed to ensure they meet the necessary standards required to practice English law. Those admitted to the Roll of Solicitors of England and Wales through the QLTS have an even higher professional profile thanks to this high level of evidence.

QLTS training places international attorneys on a par with domestic attorneys, creating a more level playing field. The same standard that is expected of domestic lawyers is expected of foreign lawyers who wish to apply for the QLTS and lawyers who pass the QLTS have the same level of competence as lawyers qualified to practice English law via the domestic route.

Now is certainly a great time to become an English barrister, as the financial implications of the recession start to subside and job markets open up once again. The QLTS offers two major improvements to candidates compared to the QLTT: there is the English language test and the removal of the experience requirement. Both are positive developments for international lawyers who wish to train as English lawyers.

As a result of these improvements to the QLTS, more confidence is instilled in successful candidates. There is rigorous testing of all applicants’ practical skills as part of the course. This ensures that no one experiences discrimination, as everyone is treated equally and assessed to the same standard, although of course, because the means of testing are objective, issues related to candidates’ age and disabilities are will naturally take into account. Candidates who meet the necessary standard will be admitted as barristers of England and Wales. Clients will therefore know that all qualified English solicitors, regardless of their route to qualification, are competent and have the necessary professional knowledge, skills, behaviors and ethics to perform their legal duties well.

The QLTS is an affirmative step for all international barristers and solicitors in England and Wales seeking to train as English solicitors. The system is fairer but just as strict and allows only the highest caliber lawyers to pass the QLTS assessments.

If you want to become an English lawyer, an important factor in determining whether you will pass your QLTS course is the provider of the course itself. Without excellent teaching, informational materials, a support network, and experienced staff to guide you, passing will be more difficult. The QLTS School program offers a dedicated approach to QLTS assessments, and because it is completely focused on a single test, students really benefit from a range of advice and support that is always available.

The QLTS school is committed to helping international lawyers become English lawyers. Our website has information for every stage of the process, from what you need to do to be eligible for the QLTS to applying for the course. There is career advice, the benefits of practicing English law, and guidance for each step of the course.

With over ten years of experience and thousands of international lawyers who have successfully qualified as English solicitors, the QLTS school has an excellent reputation and a high candidate pass rate. The QLTS course is comprehensive and convenient, and you’ll have all the materials you need to study, including distance learning courses, video and audio lectures, and access to the online study portal, and the freedom to study when it suits you. The study portal allows you to communicate with other candidates, as well as access all teaching tools, including videos, audio, and PowerPoint presentations.

Created by qualified legal professionals who have worked extensively with international lawyers and understand their needs, the QLTS School program gives you everything you need to pass your QLTS assessments and go on to enjoy a long career as an English lawyer.