How to requalify as a solicitor through the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS) Good morning, today I’m going to explain how you can become a solicitor through the QLTS © Law Society 2014 asia@lawsociety.org.uk

Holly McKenzie International Policy Adviser (South Asia and ASEAN) The Law Society of England and Wales Email: holly.mckenzie@lawsociety.org.uk Telephone: +44 (0)20 7316 5610 First of all I'd like to introduce myself For those of you who don’t know me already, I’m Holly McKenzie, I am the Law Society’s International Policy Adviser for South Asia & ASEAN. My job is to help English and Welsh solicitors work with their counterparts in South Asia and ASEAN. But I used to work in a role that covered all Asia including the Republic of Korea, so I have some knowledge of your jurisdiction asia@lawsociety.org.uk

The Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS) The fast-track route for qualified foreign lawyers to qualify as solicitors of England and Wales The objective of my presentation is to highlight the benefits and explain the process of re-qualifying as a solicitor of England and Wales through the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme. This is an alternative, fast-track route for qualified foreign lawyers to re-qualify as solicitor, so they essentially become dual-qualified. This is done through two separate tests, administered by the Law Society’s regulatory arm, the Solicitors Regulation Authority asia@lawsociety.org.uk

Format of the presentation Benefits of becoming a solicitor Benefits of the QLTS Eligibility rules Format of the tests Application process and costs Question and Answer session with the panel In terms of the format of today’s presentation, firstly I will explain the benefits of becoming a solicitor and Then the benefits of the QLTS process itself. Next I'll broadly explain the eligibility rules and the format of the tests and Then the application process and costs This will take approximately 10 minutes If you have any questions, my colleagues and I will be happy to answer them at the end of the session. We hope that by the end of the session you will have a greater understanding of a) the fact that the English legal profession welcomes foreign lawyers like yourselves and b) how to become a solicitor through the QLTS. So without any further ado, let's get underway. asia@lawsociety.org.uk

The benefits of becoming a solicitor Work as a solicitor in England and Wales Represent clients in international arbitration and cross-border disputes Unlock new career opportunities throughout the world Enhance your professional profile, reputation and marketability in your home jurisdiction Offer a wider range of legal services to your clients Win more business and increase your revenues So you may be asking, why become an English and Welsh solicitor? There are many advantages. First of all, English law is very highly regarded as a commercial and dispute resolution jurisdiction that governs transactions, not just in the UK but across Europe and even in and between countries that don’t have English law as their governing jurisdiction. So dual-qualifying as a solicitor will allow you to work as a solicitor in England and Wales, and thus unlock new career opportunities throughout the world - whether you want to live and work in London, practice English law here in the Republic of Korea, become a trusted in-house counsel in an international business or work for an international firm in a third country. Secondly, the dual-qualification and the prestige of being an English solicitor will enhance your professional profile and marketability in your home jurisdiction because you will be able to practice English law – the global law of contracts This also means you can offer a wider range of legal services to your clients, whether you work in private practice or indeed you are in-house in a private company. You will expect more business and financial rewards as a result. The modern lawyer needs to be adept at many different aspects of private and commercial practice and dual qualification as an English solicitor is a very attractive prospect indeed. London is one of the most popular cities in the world and a global legal centre, but as I have just explained, this is just one of the many reasons international lawyers want to practise English law. Being an English solicitor means new prospects to increase your business all over the world. asia@lawsociety.org.uk

The benefits of the QLTS Straight forward, fair and professional method to becoming a solicitor No experience requirement to apply Qualified foreign lawyers in all legal systems can apply Short process – could potentially become a solicitor in one year The QLTS is a straight forward, fair and professional method to become a solicitor that ensures foreign lawyers reach the same levels of expertise and quality as a locally-qualified English solicitor. There is no experience requirement to apply – you only need to be a qualified lawyer in your home jurisdiction, with a competent grasp of English and an aptitude for law Qualified foreign lawyers in all legal systems can apply for the QLTS - regardless of whether their first qualification is from a common law or civil law jurisdiction. The Solicitors Regulation Authority website publishes a list of ‘recognised jurisdictions’ and the Republic of Korea is among them. In fact, six Korean lawyers have already passed the QLTS since 2010. Re-qualification could take less than a year if all tests are passed at the first attempt. This means that to become a solicitor, foreign lawyers do not have to take any additional academic study, such as a three-year common law-based law degree. asia@lawsociety.org.uk

Eligibility rules Must be a qualified lawyer From an SRA recognised jurisdictions Must meet the English language requirements So plenty of reasons to think about why you should take the QLTS there. Now let's consider who can apply? Applicants for the QLTS must be qualified lawyers from recognised jurisdictions. A full list is available on the Solicitors Regulation Authority website (www.sra.org.uk) The important point to make is that ONLY qualified lawyers can sit the QLTS. If you are not yet fully qualified in your home jurisdiction, you will not be able to sit the tests. However, the good news is that you do not need to have worked in England and Wales, or have studied at a UK law school - although it would be to your advantage. But you will need to provide evidence that you meet the English language requirements, such as a degree taught in English or an English language test. asia@lawsociety.org.uk

Format of the tests The Multiple Choice Test (MCT) - designed to test the same knowledge of law expected of a newly qualified solicitor of E&W. Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) - which essentially tests the further practical knowledge of skills expected of a newly qualified solicitor of England and Wales. Both tests must be passed within the 5 years of their Certificate of Eligibility in order to pass the QLTS Maximum of 3 attempts at each test NOTE: they way foreign lawyers requalify as solicitors of England and Wales will change after 2020 Now let me tell you about the tests and what they involve The QLTS comprises two tests, which can be sat twice a year in different locations: First, there's the Multiple Choice Test (MCT) - designed to test the same knowledge of law expected of a newly qualified solicitor of E&W. This test is done on a computer at test centres around the world. Once the MCT has been passed, candidates must sit the second test which is the: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) - which essentially tests the further practical knowledge of skills expected of a newly qualified solicitor of England and Wales. This test is conducted in person and can only be sat in London. Two small rules: Both tests must be passed within the 5 years of their Certificate of Eligibility in order to pass the QLTS. Candidates are given a maximum of 3 attempts at each test within that 5 year period. AND: it is important to mention that the Solicitors Regulation Authority is changing the route to qualification for all English and Welsh solicitors. A new unifiying exam will be introduced in 2020, called the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). After the SQE is introduced, all prospective solicitors including foreign-qualified lawyers will take the SQE to requalify in England and Wales. But for now, the accepted fast-track route for requalification is the QLTS. asia@lawsociety.org.uk

Application process and costs Ensure your qualification and jurisdiction are listed English language requirement Apply to your home jurisdiction regulator Apply to the SRA using the QLTS application form available on their website Contact Kaplan QLTS to book a place on the assessments After passing both tests, apply to the SRA for admission as a solicitor of England and Wales Total cost: £3,490 (plus taxes) to requalify as a solicitor of England and Wales in less than a year. The application process is made up of 6 steps, which I am going to give a quick summary of now, but for further information please consult the QLTS website or the information packs in front of you Step 1: Ensure your qualification and jurisdiction are listed Step 2: Ensure you meet the English language requirement Step 3: Apply to your home jurisdiction regulator for confirmation that you are admitted in your home jurisdiction and have no outstanding disciplinary matters on your record Step 4: Apply to the SRA using the QLTS application form available on their website Step 5: Once the SRA have given you a Certificate of Eligibility to sit the QLTS, contact Kaplan QLTS to book a place on the assessments Step 6: After passing both tests, apply to the SRA for admission as a solicitor of England and Wales. 2 second pause Nothing in life is free, so let's consider the costs: If all tests are passed at the first attempt, it will cost a total of £3,490 (plus taxes) to sit both assessments and therefore re-qualify as a solicitor of England and Wales in less than a year. Which isn't a bad deal considering the wealth of opportunities and prestige this qualification bring you. asia@lawsociety.org.uk

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