Kaplan QLTS
Introduction
Kaplan QLTS was the sole authorised assessment provider for the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) of assessments under The Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS).
QLTS provided a route for lawyers from other recognised jurisdictions, and barristers from England and Wales to qualify as solicitors of England and Wales. The QLTS is no longer operational and has been replaced by the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). More details are available on the SRA website.
Further information
For more detailed information about the QLTS please see the following papers. The first paper looks at the candidates, performance and outcomes of the QLTS multiple choice test throughout its period of operation from 2011 to the last QLTS multiple choice test in 2021. This second paper presents a data driven analysis of the QLTS OSCE from its new design in 2014 until the last OSCE in 2022:
- Eileen Fry, Richard Wakeford, Jill Foster Taylor & Janet Wright (2023) The Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme: the multiple choice test 2011–2021, The Law Teacher, 57:2, 223-232, DOI: 10.1080/03069400.2023.2210408; and
- Eileen Fry and Richard Wakeford, The Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme: The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) 2014 - 2022, The Law Teacher 2023, DOI: 10.1080/03069400.2023.2246359
Below you can access the key historical documents that were in place at the time of the last QLTS assessment:
- Assessment regulations (231KB PDF)
- Fit to sit policy (56KB PDF)
- Mitigating and/or extenuating circumstances and appeals (602KB PDF)
- Non-discrimination policy (143KB PDF)
- Policy on Marking and Moderation (167KB PDF)
- Terms and conditions
- Special needs policy (211KB PDF)
SQE transitional arrangements
The SQE was introduced on 1 September 2021, replacing the QLTS. More information on the SQE can be found on the SQE website. The SRA recognised that the Covid-19 pandemic had affected candidates’ ability to sit QLTS assessments and therefore reviewed their transitional arrangements for QLTS candidates who passed the multiple choice test (MCT) before 1 September 2021. These candidates were able to complete their qualifications and apply for admission either by sitting and passing the OSCE or by sitting and passing SQE2. These transitional arrangements have now passed. If you are a qualified lawyer (e.g. a barrister, overseas qualified lawyer) and you want to qualify as a solicitor of England and Wales, you will need to qualify through the SQE route. You may also benefit from some exemptions that may be available.
Taking the SQE
The SQE is provided by Kaplan SQE Ltd., working with, and on behalf of, the SRA. If you want to qualify as a solicitor using the SQE, please see the SQE website for more information or contact enquiries@sqe.sra.org.uk. There is also information on exemptions that may be available.
Contact us
For QLTS related queries: qlts@kaplan.com
For SQE related queries: enquiries@sqe.sra.org.uk