Qlts Qualification

Qlts Qualification

Updated January 2021
The Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme or QLTS is a fast-track route for qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales for international lawyers. The programme is administered by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), the regulatory body of the Law Society of England and Wales. The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is a centralised assessment that all individuals must pass in order to be admitted as solicitors of England and Wales, regardless of which route into the profession they have taken before sitting the SQE exams. This applies to you whether you are. Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme ('QLTS') QLTS allows those who are already qualified lawyers in other jurisdictions to qualify as a Solicitor of England and Wales. The Chancery Lane Institute for Professionals (‘CLIP ') is the first and only legal education provider in India to offer in-person tutoring for QLTS.
For people qualifying through the SQE after 1 September 2021
What are the transitional arrangements?The Solicitor Qualifying Examination (SQE) will be introduced on 1 September 2021. The first examinations - for SQE1 - will take place in November 2021.
Our transitional arrangements are designed to give candidates already on their way to becoming a solicitor when we introduce the SQE, as much choice as possible.
This means someone already studying or training can continue to qualify through the existing routes, or choose to do the SQE.

Our transitional arrangements apply to anyone who, before 1 September 2021, has completed, started, accepted an offer of a place or paid a non-refundable deposit for one of the following:
the Common Professional Examination / Graduate Diploma in Law (CPE)
the Legal Practice Course
a period of recognised training (also known as a training contract).
In the case of a qualifying law degree (QLD) and exempting law degree (ELD), these arrangements apply to anyone who has completed, started, accepted an offer of a place or paid a non-refundable deposit by 21 September 2021 (inclusive). This is because the English A-level results are later than usual in 2021.
In most cases, for the QLD, ELD and CPE, the relevant course must start at the latest on or before 31 December 2021.
Anyone who falls within this group will have until 31 December 2032 to qualify as a solicitor under the existing routes, as long as courses still remain available.
The text of the transitional arrangements are set out at regulation 11 of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations.
Qualifying law degrees and the Common Professional Examination/Graduate Diploma in LawQlts Dual QualificationOur common protocol explains that we will continue to validate QLD, ELD and CPE courses that begin up to and including 31 December 2021. This is as long as the student has accepted the offer by 31 August 2021 (inclusive) for CPE courses and by 21 September 2021 (inclusive) for QLD and ELD courses.
There are separate arrangements for students who deferred a place on a QLD, ELD or CPE from 2020 to 2021, and for those who accepted the offer of a period of recognised training on or before 31 August 2021.
Exempting law degreeWe will continue to validate ELD courses that begin up to and including 31 December 2021, as long as the student has accepted the offer by 21 September 2021 (inclusive).
There are separate arrangements for students who deferred a place on an ELD from 2020 to 2021
Legal Practice CourseLegal Practice Course (LPC) approvals will also be extended until at least the end of the academic year 2025/26. This is so any students who fall under the transitional arrangements, for example because they have started a QLD or CPE course, prior to the SQE's introduction - or have accepted an offer of a place (by the dates set out above) - can progress onto the LPC, as long as these courses are available.
How will the transitional arrangements affect me?Open allIf you have started, or accepted an offer to start, a qualifying law degree (QLD) or exempting law degree (ELD) by 21 September 2021 (inclusive), then you can qualify as a solicitor through the current route (as long as the courses remain available). This option remains open to you until 31 December 2032 or you can choose to do so through the SQE.
QLDs and ELDs remain available provided you accept the offer of a place by 21 September 2021 (inclusive) and the course starts on or before 31 December 2021.
There are separate arrangements for students who deferred a place on an QLD or ELD from 2020 to 2021, as set out below.
Deferring studentsWe realise that some students may delay starting new programmes of study, particularly given the current Covid-19 pandemic.

So you may start a QLD or ELD at any time in academic year 2021/22 up to and including 31 August 2022, where you originally accepted an offer to start in academic year 2020/21 and deferred your place. But you may not defer your place to a later academic year.
You will need to keep evidence of your deferral in order to be accepted onto a Legal Practice Course (LPC). This evidence could be, for example, a letter from your university making clear that you had accepted a place to start in 2020/21 and had deferred it to the subsequent academic year.
Qualify through the current routeOnce you have a QLD or ELD, to qualify though the current route by 31 December 2032, you'll also need to:
pass the LPC
complete a period of recognised training (also known as a training contract)
meet our character and suitability requirements.
In most cases, anyone who starts a QLD or ELD after 31 December 2021 will not fall within the transitional arrangements. They will need to sit the SQE assessments and meet our other requirements to qualify as a solicitor.
There are, however, separate arrangements for students who deferred a place on a QLD or ELD from 2020 to 2021, and for those who accepted the offer of a training contract on or before 31 August 2021.
Qualifying through Equivalent Means (Exemptions)If you are in the transitional cohort, for example because you accepted an offer of a place on a QLD by 1 September 2021 (inclusive) and it began on or before 31 December 2021, you may be able to qualify under our Equivalent Means route, To do this you will need to have certificated learning and work-based experience equivalent to our training requirements.
Qualify through the SQEAlternatively, you could choose to qualify through the SQE, from 1 September 2021. You'll need to:
have a degree (in any subject) or equivalent qualification or experience
pass both stages of the SQE assessment
have two years' full time equivalent qualifying work experience
meet our character and suitability requirements.
If you have started, or accepted an offer to start, the CPE/GDL on or before 31 August 2021, then you can qualify as a solicitor through the current route (as long as the courses remain available). This option remains open to you until 31 December 2032 or you can choose to do so through the SQE.
CPE/GDLs remain available provided they start on or before 31 December 2021 and you accepted the offer to start the course up to and including 31 August 2021.
There are separate arrangements for students who deferred a place on a CPE or GDL from 2020 to 2021, and for those who accepted the offer of a period of recognised training on or before 31 August 2021.
Deferring CPE/GDL studentsWe realise that some intending CPE/GDL students may delay starting new programmes of study, particularly given the current Covid-19 pandemic.
So you may start a CPE/GDL at any time in academic year 2021/22 up to 31 August 2022 (inclusive), where you had accepted an offer to start in academic year 2020/21 and deferred your place. But you may not defer your place to a later academic year.
You will need to keep evidence of your deferral in order to be accepted onto a Legal Practice Course. This evidence could be, for example, a letter from your university making clear that you had accepted a place to start in 2020/21 and had deferred it to the subsequent academic year.
It is possible that some non-law students may accept the offer of a period of recognised training before 1 September 2021, and before they have been offered a place on a CPE/GDL.
In this case you may start a CPE/GDL programme which starts up to and including 31 August 2022, and which meet our requirements for the CPE/GDL.
You will need to evidence your accepted offer in order to be accepted onto the CPE/GDL. For example, this could take the form of correspondence between you and your training provider accepting the offer of a period of recognised training.
Qualify through the current route

Once you have the CPE, to qualify on the current route by 31 December 2032, you'll also need to:
pass the Legal Practice Course
complete a period of recognised training (also known as a training contract)
meet our character and suitability requirements.
In most cases, anyone who starts the CPE/GDL after 31 December 2021 will not fall within the transitional arrangements. They will need to sit the SQE assessments and meet our other requirements to qualify as a solicitor.
There are separate arrangements for students who deferred a place on the CPE/GDL from 2020 to 2021, and for those who accepted the offer of a training contract on or before 31 August 2021. This is explained in the above section. 
Qualifying through Equivalent Means (Exemptions)If you are in the transitional cohort, for example because you accepted an offer of a place on a CPE/GDL before 1 September 2021 and it began on or before 31 December 2021, you may be able to qualify under our Equivalent Means route, if you have certificated learning and work-based experience equivalent to our training requirements.
Qualify through the SQEYou could also choose to qualify through the SQE from 1 September 2021. You'll need to:
have a degree (in any subject) or equivalent qualification or experience
pass both stages of the SQE assessment
have two years' full time equivalent qualifying work experience
meet our character and suitability requirements.
Our transitional arrangements may already apply to you because you have started or completed a qualifying law degree, the Common Professional Examination / Graduate Diploma in Law or an exempting law degree. . But you can also choose to qualify on the current route or take the SQE, if you have started or completed the LPC, or if you have accepted an offer to start on the LPC, or paid a non-refundable deposit, before 1 September 2021.
Once you have the LPC, to qualify on the current route by 31 December 2032, you'll also need to:
complete a period of recognised training (also known as a training contract)
meet our character and suitability requirements
Qualifying through Equivalent Means (Equivalent)If you started to train through the LPC before 1 September 2021, you may be able to qualify under our Equivalent Means route, if you have certificated learning and work-based experience equivalent to our training requirements.
Qualifying under the equivalent means process using SQE2 and qualifying work experience

Our transitional arrangements apply to anyone who, before 1 September 2021, has completed, started, accepted an offer of a place or paid a non-refundable deposit for one of the following:
the Common Professional Examination / Graduate Diploma in Law (CPE)
the Legal Practice Course
a period of recognised training (also known as a training contract).
In the case of a qualifying law degree (QLD) and exempting law degree (ELD), these arrangements apply to anyone who has completed, started, accepted an offer of a place or paid a non-refundable deposit by 21 September 2021 (inclusive). This is because the English A-level results are later than usual in 2021.
In most cases, for the QLD, ELD and CPE, the relevant course must start at the latest on or before 31 December 2021.
Anyone who falls within this group will have until 31 December 2032 to qualify as a solicitor under the existing routes, as long as courses still remain available.
The text of the transitional arrangements are set out at regulation 11 of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations.
Qualifying law degrees and the Common Professional Examination/Graduate Diploma in LawQlts Dual QualificationOur common protocol explains that we will continue to validate QLD, ELD and CPE courses that begin up to and including 31 December 2021. This is as long as the student has accepted the offer by 31 August 2021 (inclusive) for CPE courses and by 21 September 2021 (inclusive) for QLD and ELD courses.
There are separate arrangements for students who deferred a place on a QLD, ELD or CPE from 2020 to 2021, and for those who accepted the offer of a period of recognised training on or before 31 August 2021.
Exempting law degreeWe will continue to validate ELD courses that begin up to and including 31 December 2021, as long as the student has accepted the offer by 21 September 2021 (inclusive).
There are separate arrangements for students who deferred a place on an ELD from 2020 to 2021
Legal Practice CourseLegal Practice Course (LPC) approvals will also be extended until at least the end of the academic year 2025/26. This is so any students who fall under the transitional arrangements, for example because they have started a QLD or CPE course, prior to the SQE's introduction - or have accepted an offer of a place (by the dates set out above) - can progress onto the LPC, as long as these courses are available.
How will the transitional arrangements affect me?Open allIf you have started, or accepted an offer to start, a qualifying law degree (QLD) or exempting law degree (ELD) by 21 September 2021 (inclusive), then you can qualify as a solicitor through the current route (as long as the courses remain available). This option remains open to you until 31 December 2032 or you can choose to do so through the SQE.
QLDs and ELDs remain available provided you accept the offer of a place by 21 September 2021 (inclusive) and the course starts on or before 31 December 2021.
There are separate arrangements for students who deferred a place on an QLD or ELD from 2020 to 2021, as set out below.
Deferring studentsWe realise that some students may delay starting new programmes of study, particularly given the current Covid-19 pandemic.
So you may start a QLD or ELD at any time in academic year 2021/22 up to and including 31 August 2022, where you originally accepted an offer to start in academic year 2020/21 and deferred your place. But you may not defer your place to a later academic year.
You will need to keep evidence of your deferral in order to be accepted onto a Legal Practice Course (LPC). This evidence could be, for example, a letter from your university making clear that you had accepted a place to start in 2020/21 and had deferred it to the subsequent academic year.
Qualify through the current routeOnce you have a QLD or ELD, to qualify though the current route by 31 December 2032, you'll also need to:
pass the LPC
complete a period of recognised training (also known as a training contract)
meet our character and suitability requirements.
In most cases, anyone who starts a QLD or ELD after 31 December 2021 will not fall within the transitional arrangements. They will need to sit the SQE assessments and meet our other requirements to qualify as a solicitor.
There are, however, separate arrangements for students who deferred a place on a QLD or ELD from 2020 to 2021, and for those who accepted the offer of a training contract on or before 31 August 2021.
Qualifying through Equivalent Means (Exemptions)If you are in the transitional cohort, for example because you accepted an offer of a place on a QLD by 1 September 2021 (inclusive) and it began on or before 31 December 2021, you may be able to qualify under our Equivalent Means route, To do this you will need to have certificated learning and work-based experience equivalent to our training requirements.
Qualify through the SQEAlternatively, you could choose to qualify through the SQE, from 1 September 2021. You'll need to:
have a degree (in any subject) or equivalent qualification or experience
pass both stages of the SQE assessment
have two years' full time equivalent qualifying work experience
meet our character and suitability requirements.
If you have started, or accepted an offer to start, the CPE/GDL on or before 31 August 2021, then you can qualify as a solicitor through the current route (as long as the courses remain available). This option remains open to you until 31 December 2032 or you can choose to do so through the SQE.
CPE/GDLs remain available provided they start on or before 31 December 2021 and you accepted the offer to start the course up to and including 31 August 2021.
There are separate arrangements for students who deferred a place on a CPE or GDL from 2020 to 2021, and for those who accepted the offer of a period of recognised training on or before 31 August 2021.
Deferring CPE/GDL studentsWe realise that some intending CPE/GDL students may delay starting new programmes of study, particularly given the current Covid-19 pandemic.
So you may start a CPE/GDL at any time in academic year 2021/22 up to 31 August 2022 (inclusive), where you had accepted an offer to start in academic year 2020/21 and deferred your place. But you may not defer your place to a later academic year.
You will need to keep evidence of your deferral in order to be accepted onto a Legal Practice Course. This evidence could be, for example, a letter from your university making clear that you had accepted a place to start in 2020/21 and had deferred it to the subsequent academic year.
It is possible that some non-law students may accept the offer of a period of recognised training before 1 September 2021, and before they have been offered a place on a CPE/GDL.
In this case you may start a CPE/GDL programme which starts up to and including 31 August 2022, and which meet our requirements for the CPE/GDL.
You will need to evidence your accepted offer in order to be accepted onto the CPE/GDL. For example, this could take the form of correspondence between you and your training provider accepting the offer of a period of recognised training.
Qualify through the current routeOnce you have the CPE, to qualify on the current route by 31 December 2032, you'll also need to:
pass the Legal Practice Course
complete a period of recognised training (also known as a training contract)
meet our character and suitability requirements.
In most cases, anyone who starts the CPE/GDL after 31 December 2021 will not fall within the transitional arrangements. They will need to sit the SQE assessments and meet our other requirements to qualify as a solicitor.
There are separate arrangements for students who deferred a place on the CPE/GDL from 2020 to 2021, and for those who accepted the offer of a training contract on or before 31 August 2021. This is explained in the above section. 
Qualifying through Equivalent Means (Exemptions)If you are in the transitional cohort, for example because you accepted an offer of a place on a CPE/GDL before 1 September 2021 and it began on or before 31 December 2021, you may be able to qualify under our Equivalent Means route, if you have certificated learning and work-based experience equivalent to our training requirements.
Qualify through the SQEYou could also choose to qualify through the SQE from 1 September 2021. You'll need to:
have a degree (in any subject) or equivalent qualification or experience
pass both stages of the SQE assessment
have two years' full time equivalent qualifying work experience
meet our character and suitability requirements.
Our transitional arrangements may already apply to you because you have started or completed a qualifying law degree, the Common Professional Examination / Graduate Diploma in Law or an exempting law degree. . But you can also choose to qualify on the current route or take the SQE, if you have started or completed the LPC, or if you have accepted an offer to start on the LPC, or paid a non-refundable deposit, before 1 September 2021.
Once you have the LPC, to qualify on the current route by 31 December 2032, you'll also need to:
complete a period of recognised training (also known as a training contract)
meet our character and suitability requirements
Qualifying through Equivalent Means (Equivalent)If you started to train through the LPC before 1 September 2021, you may be able to qualify under our Equivalent Means route, if you have certificated learning and work-based experience equivalent to our training requirements.
Qualifying under the equivalent means process using SQE2 and qualifying work experienceYou could also ask us to recognise the combination of qualifying work experience and successfully passing SQE2 as equivalent to the period of recognised training. If you choose this option, you will need to let us know after 1 September 2021. 
You will not need to complete the current period of recognised training portfolio. Nor will you need to sit the Professional Skills Course.
We will require the solicitor sign-off of your 2 years' full time or equivalent qualifying work experience and evidence of passing SQE2.
The first sitting of SQE2 is April 2022 . Once you have this you will be able to apply for admission as a solicitor.
You will also still need to meet our character and suitability requirements.
More information about this equivalent will be available ahead of the SQE's introduction.
If you have started, or accepted an offer to start, a period of recognised training (also known as a training contract) before 1 September 2021, then you can qualify as a solicitor through the current route.
To qualify this way, by 31 December 2032, you'll also need to:
pass a qualifying law degree (QLD) or Common Professional Examination / Graduate Diploma in Law (CPE/GDL)
pass the Legal Practice Course
complete a period of recognised training (PRT)
meet our character and suitability requirements.
If you are unable to complete a PRT, you can chose to qualify through the SQE.
Period of recognised training offers for non-law studentsIt is possible that some non-law students may accept the offer of a PRT before 1 September 2021, and before they have been offered a place on a CPE/GDL.
Qlts QualificationIn this case you may start a CPE/GDL programme up until 31 August 2022, and which meet our requirements for the CPE/GDL.
You will need to keep the evidence of your accepted offer in order to be accepted onto the CPE. For example, this could take the form of the exchange of correspondence between you and your training provider, accepting the offer of a PRT.
The SQE will replace the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS) once it is introduced on 1 September 2021. For more information, please visit our QLTS pages.
If you have completed, started, or accepted an offer of a place for:
a qualifying law degree (any offers need to be accepted by 21 September 2020)
the Common Professional Examination / Graduate Diploma in Law (accepted before 1 September)
the Legal Practice Course (accepted before 1 September) legal executives is open to you until 31 December 2032.
and if you are also a legal executive (or, you will be when you apply for admission), then the legal executives' equivalent means route is open to you until 31 December 2032.
To qualify through the legal executives' equivalent means route, you must, when you apply for admission:
have passed the LPC
have passed the Professional Skills Course compulsory core subjects
meet our character and suitability requirements
provide a certificate of good standing from CILEx Regulation.
Also you can continue to qualify under the current route (LPC/PRT) if you have completed, are already studying, accepted an offer to start or paid a non-refundable deposit for:
a qualifying law degree (any offers need to be accepted by 21 September 2020)
the Common Professional Examination / Graduate Diploma in Law, the Legal Practice Course (accepted before 1 September); or
a period of recognised training (accepted before 1 September).
See above for details about the dates by when you must start a qualifying law degree or Common Professional Examination.
Qualify through the SQEOr you could choose to qualify through the SQE. If you do, you'll need to:
have a degree (in any subject) or equivalent qualification - CILEx Level 6 qualifications will count as equivalent to a degree for the purposes of the SQE
pass both stages of the SQE assessment (SQE1 and SQE2)
have two years' qualifying work experience – your CILEx work experience is likely to count
meet our character and suitability requirements.
Fellow of CILEx with practice rights in reserved and regulated activitiesFrom 1 September 2021, if you are qualified as a CILEx with full practice rights, you will be eligible to become a solicitor, via the SQE, through our principles for qualified lawyers.
This means that you can apply for exemptions from the SQE. The extent of any exemptions will depend on your CILEx qualification and any additional experience or qualifications you may have. We will publish more information about exemptions for qualified lawyers in due course.
Effectively managing Legal Practice Course closureWe will continue to authorise Legal Practice Courses (LPC) until the end of the 2025/26 academic year. Casino moons online. However, we expect courses may close as demand for the LPC decreases. We want to make sure the standard of the LPC is maintained during the transition period for those who want to complete their route to qualification.
We have made authorising a course subject to a number of conditions to make sure that we are aware if a course is closing. This is so that we know where students may be affected and can work with providers to make sure that the quality of provision is maintained.
Bar Standards Board changesThe Bar Standards Board (BSB) have also made changes to their training requirements. We have entered into a common protocol with them to explain how this will affect qualifying law degree and the Common Professional Examination.
The Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS) was launched by the Solicitors' Regulation Authority (SRA) in September 2010, effectively replacing the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test (QLTT). Essentially, the QLTS is a conversion process, which allows qualified lawyers from certain jurisdictions to practise as solicitors in England and Wales.
Why do the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme?Many lawyers from other jurisdictions undergo the transfer process so that they're able to give a more comprehensive service to their clients and to make themselves more marketable when considering job opportunities with international law firms that have dealings in England and Wales. Other lawyers simply wish to come and live in the UK and continue to practise law.
There are some distinct advantages of going through the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme. It can be a good way of attracting new business and it can reduce costs and reliance on other people by providing in-house services, which would normally have to be outsourced. In that sense, it could be seen as a valuable investment.
Eligibility & requirements…Qualified lawyers from other jurisdictions are no longer required to fulfil certain criteria pertaining to their level of experience; instead, candidates are assessed objectively through a series of practical tests.
In order to qualify, you will need to successfully pass three stages of assessment: a multiple choice-test, a practical test which tests advocacy and interviewing skills, and a technical legal skills test.
You will also need to pass the SRA Suitability test to ensure that you are of suitable character. This basically means that you must show that you are honest and trustworthy; willing to comply with regulatory requirements; and won't pose a risk to the public or the profession.
Candidates can't simply come from anywhere in the world; they must be qualified in a jurisdiction which is recognised by the SRA. To find out if your jurisdiction is recognised, click here. Candidates must also meet the SRA's English language requirements.
If you pass all the required tests and meet the necessary English language criteria, then the Solicitors Regulatory Association (SRA) will admit you as a solicitor and you may practise in England and Wales.
You can find out more about the QLTS at the QLTS School website.