How to apply under the QLTS

Last updated 19 July 2017

International applicants

If you are qualified outside of the EEA and Switzerland and you are admitted in a recognised jurisdiction you should apply directly to Kaplan QLTS to register for the assessments.

View a list of recognised international jurisdictions.

For EEA and Swiss nationals qualified in the EEA or Switzerland and Intra-UK lawyers

If you are an EEA or Swiss national qualified in the EEA or Switzerland and you wish to apply for exemptions, you should complete the QLTS - Exemptions application form. This should be submitted to us with the completed relevant assessment table (see below) and supporting evidence. There is a fee of £400 for this application.

You must clearly show how you meet the requirements of the Day One Outcomes. Any knowledge or experience must be in the law of England and Wales.

All applications must contain the following:

• Proof of EU nationality such as a copy of your passport
• A copy of your Certificate of Good Standing from your home Bar Association
• Fully completed assessment table with reference to the supporting evidence
• References to support any work experience that you are relying on

Your Certificate of Good standing should confirm:

• That you have been admitted and the date you were admitted
• That you are in good standing and that there are no disciplinary proceedings against you.

If you are voluntarily suspended from your home Bar, you will not be able to get a Certificate of Good Standing from them. You should provide:

• A letter from your home Bar confirming the date you were admitted
• A letter from your current employer confirming the dates you have been employed by them, that you are in good standing and that there are no pending disciplinary matters against you.

Please make sure that you provide two copies of your supporting evidence.

Pre-agreed exemptions

Applicants who are qualified in the following jurisdictions are eligible to receive pre-agreed exemptions:

• Solicitors and Advocates of Scotland
• Barristers of England and Wales
• Solicitors of Ireland

These pre-agreed exemptions are detailed below:

Intra-UK applicants who wish to have further exemptions assessed should complete the relevant sections of the QLTS - Exemptions application form. A fee of £400 is applicable.

You will not be able to register with Kaplan QLTS until this process has been completed and your exemptions have been assessed.

LPC Graduates

If you have successfully completed the LPC you can apply to us for a full exemption from the Multiple Choice Test (MCT). You should complete the QLTS - Exemption from the MCT application form . There is no fee required.

Assessment tables

Download assessment table for barristers in England and Wales (Editable PDF 2 pages, 226K)
Download assessment table for solicitors in Scotland (Editable PDF 3 pages, 216K)
Download assessment table for solicitors in the Republic of Ireland (Editable PDF 2 pages, 200K)
Download assessment table for EU/EEA applicants (Editable PDF 5 pages, 245K)

Solicitors admitted by the Law Society of Ireland

We have determined under Directive 2005/36/EC (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) that there is only one area of substantial difference between the routes to qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales and Ireland. This relates to the law and practice of land/property.

If you have been admitted by the Law Society of Ireland and you are eligible under the Directive you can:

• complete the land/property elements of each of the QLTS assessments (for the OSCE this involves being assessed on property and probate, as these are linked); or
• complete the English and Welsh Property Law and Practice course provided by the Law Society of Ireland.*

* After each sitting of the English and Welsh Property Law and Practice course assessment, the Law Society of Ireland will provide us with the names of those candidates who have passed. We will then send an AD1 form to these candidates so that they can apply for admission as a solicitor of England and Wales. Candidates can only apply for admission through this route if they meet the other requirements of the Directive and after they have completed the qualification process to become a solicitor of Ireland.

Barristers of Ireland

Barristers of Ireland should apply using the assessment table for EU applicants above.

Solicitors admitted by the Law Society of Northern Ireland

We have determined that there are currently no areas of substantial difference between the law and practice of Northern Ireland and that of England and Wales. If you have passed a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) and been admitted as a solicitor by the Law Society of Northern Ireland, you do not need to pass any QLTS assessments. If you meet these criteria then you should contact us for an AD1 form.

Barristers of Northern Ireland

Barristers of Northern Ireland should apply using the assessment table for EU applicants above.

Character and suitability disclosures

All applicants must meet our character and suitability requirements. This will be assessed when you apply for admission. You will need to send a certificate of good standing from your home bar or professional/regulatory body.

If you do not have any character and suitability issues, you can go straight to Kaplan to book your assessments.  

If you are aware of anything which may prevent you from meeting our requirements you can apply for an early check on any character and suitability issue. You should use the QLTS - Character and Suitability form. Please note that it may take us up to six months to assess your application.

Forms

QLTS - Exemptions (PDF 12 pages, 505K)  
QLTS - Exemption from the Multiple Choice Test (PDF 7 pages, 312K)
QLTS - Character and Suitability (PDF 14 pages, 344K)