Where do the QLTS candidates come from?

Posted on 08 November, 2011 by RAQUEL RODRÍGUEZ

QLTS School’s records indicate that 28% of applications in 2011 for the QLTS course came from US attorneys, followed by Australia (19%), Germany (9%) and Italy, Spain and India (8% each).

Personally I was quite surprised to find out that just 9% were from Spain. Let me explain why. The Consejo General de la abogacía española (updated December 2010) stated that the total number of lawyers working in Spain that year was 168,485. I found a graph (on the link below) which compared the number of lawyers within the Member States of the European Union and Spain seemed to have one of the highest numbers. I assumed (incorrectly) that more Spanish lawyers would have tried their luck abroad especially given the current crisis and high unemployment rate... Well maybe it is time they consider this option more seriously...

Here is the link! 

http://www.ccbe.org/fileadmin/user_upload/NTCdocument/2010_Table_of_Lawyer1_1313141496.pdf 

El Periódico de Catalunya

Posted on November 06, 2011 by RAQUEL RODRÍGUEZ

The percentage of students from Catalonia who get European scholarships is the lowest in Spain. Between the years of 2005 and 2009 the Erasmus participation rate increased by 2,5% while the rest of Spain increased by 6%.

The main cause is the lack of funding. The European Union provides €135 monthly and “el Ministerio de Educación” adds €193 per student. Anything beyond this needs to be provided by the autonomous communities, universities and banks. Since Catalan university system does not stand out Catalunya is seeking additional aid.

This was the main subject of the story titled <<Solo dos de cada 100 universitarios catalanes tienen becas en Europa>> published today by El Periódico a morning daily newspaper in Spain. There is another story on the same topic titled <<La experiencia de tres “erasmus” catalanas>> which has been broken down in three different stories. One of them <<Falta mentalidad internacional>> is about my personal case. On Friday I was interviewed by Begoña Arce from El Periódico. It was a really relaxed chat about my studies, future projects and personal opinion on the low-level of Erasmus participation in Catalonia.

Here is the link!! 

http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/sociedad/falta-mentalidad-internacional-1209433 

WARNING!!

Posted on October 30, 2011 by RAQUEL RODRÍGUEZ 

As you all probably know by now the new SRA handbook has been released. It came into effect on 6 October 2011 and apparently it looks very different from the 2007 Code according to the SRA. Not very good news for all of us who have studied the old one, eh?

So all of you who are taking the course offered by the QLTS beware there is a new manual coming out soon!! 

Introducing the SRA handbook

Posted on October 27, 2011 by RAQUEL RODRÍGUEZ 

http://youtu.be/ErRmzExg424

Exemption from Part 1 of the QLTS assessments

Posted on October 03, 2011 by RAQUEL RODRÍGUEZ 

A link worth checking out!! 

http://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/qlts/qlts-amendments.page?ref=search

Key features of the new transfer scheme

Posted on September 30, 2011 by RAQUEL RODRÍGUEZ 

Hey guys check this out!

www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/qlts/key-features.page

'SER Reporteros', Hora 14 Fin de Semana

Posted on September 26, 2011 by RAQUEL RODRÍGUEZ

Apparently during the last year the number of Spaniards coming to London seeking opportunities has increased dramatically. This was the main point of the short interview I did with Begoña Arce from 'SER Reporteros', Hora 14 Fin de Semana (a Spanish radio show in Cadena SER). The interview was released last Saturday at 15.00 hours. Here is the link if this topic interests you (by the way it is in Spanish):

 
www.cadenaser.com/sociedad/audios/ser-reporteros-hora-fin-semana-24-2011/csrcsrpor/20110924csrcsrsoc_6/Aes/

Back on track

Posted on September 22, 2011 by RAQUEL RODRÍGUEZ 

Once again I did not realize how long I had taken between entries. Shame on me! I am seriously considering picking a day each week to write entries so I can update more regularly. Enough regretting my poor effort!

How is everyone doing with the QLTS preparation? Any advice you would like to share with all of us? Here is mine: read the whole range of manuals or study material quickly and as many times as you can rather than focussing too much on just one area as it will stop you from progressing. Let me put it this way, there are 11 outcomes to get through and just 4 months to go. Times flies and eventually you might feel you are working against the clock!

By the way I am planning to take the MCT exam on the 23^rd of January. So no much time to waste... In fact, I am going to make myself a cup of tea and carry on with my study.

In the meantime here is a simple question that will challenge your knowledge about EU Law:

A private company, which sells its goods in member countries of the EU, wants to increase its share of the market. It persuaded its own government to suspend tax on its profits for 2 years to make its prices more competitive. According to EU Law:

a) No breach of the EU Law

b) No breach of the EU Law, if its tax payment halved

c) No breach of the EU Law, if its tax payment reduced by 10%

d) Absolutely forbidden by the EU Law

e) It is a domestic matter not affected by the EU Law

Feel free to answer but please include an explanation. Good luck!

My Everest!

Posted on September 03, 2011 by RAQUEL RODRÍGUEZ 

I am sorry for my lack of posting lately guys! A while ago I came to Barcelona to visit my family and friends and have been busy catching up ever since. Although I meant to write an entry every single day this lovely weather has been keeping me away from books and internet. Time goes fast and it has been almost a month since my last post. So let's get a move on!

Last night while I was chatting with a couple I am friends with I came up with the subject of this new entry. It is actually one of my biggest concerns and most likely the one for many non-native English speakers. Being able to speak as an English lawyer does is certainly one of the biggest challenges I've ever come across. It is my Everest!

The same rule applies for all lawyers regardless of where they come from. Lawyers must be able to explain themselves clearly. Having an extensive vocabulary helps you appear intelligent, professional and enables you to communicate concisely. It should also enhance your chances to succeed. After all, words are the principal tools of lawyers.

QLTS gives you a base of Legal language and terminology to work from but it is not enough. There is still a long way to go.

Anything that challenges your current English level can be useful. Starting from watching films or listening to music then moving on to reading through Legal websites or blogs. The stuff is out there you just have to take a look and choose what suits you the best. If you're really lucky finding an internship or doing some work as a paralegal would be ideal. I have even gone to the Court in different occasions. It is amazing how much you can learn from listening barristers and judges talk to each other. For them it's just another ordinary day whereas for me it's a chance to learn an insight to what I hope one day will be my future. Another idea is to make native English speaking friends that are very well spoken and articulate and chat with them as often as possible. It sounds selfish but it will help!

So let's be enthusiastic and proud of ourselves. Eventually we'll get there!

In the meanwhile I leave you this joke I found the other day and put a smile on my face...

January 23rd 2012/Central London/£305 + VAT

Posted on August 08, 2011 by RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ

Any idea what this is about? Well... The date for the next MCT exam has finally been set! This means it is time to come up with a study plan. Thankfully the SRA has a suggested study guide to help candidates prepare.

The 11 outcomes you need to be up to date with are:

A1 English Legal System, European Union

A2 Constitutional Law

A3 Professional Conduct, Solicitors' Accounts

A4 The Regulatory framework, Money Laundering, Financial Services, Taxation

A5 Contract Law

A6 Torts

A7 Criminal Law

A8 Property Law

A9 Equitable Rights and Obligations

A10 Human Rights

A11 Business Law

Not too bad... Nearly six months to cover these 11 outcomes. I plan to read through all the materials I have collected two or three times to start then move on to other study techniques. Remember this is a closed-book test which means candidates will not be allowed to take anything with them. Therefore, study hard!!! Keep in mind that to read and to study are quite different. “Read” means to look at carefully so as to understand the meaning of. "Study" means application of the mind to the acquisition of knowledge. Regardless of how you describe what needs to be done, make sure you know these 11 outcomes thoroughly.

I have been studying part time for the QLTS since March and the fact that I have to do everything on my own still makes me feel kind of lost at times. Throughout my years of university I thrived in lectures, tutorials and study groups. Working independently in a second language is tough. In order to make the study more appealing I have tried all sorts of things. Organising the booklets or material by outcomes, by sizes, in piles I have read through and those I have not, hiding manuals in my wardrobe and leaving the rest on my desk to reduce the visual impact, studying at home, in the library, in the park... Frankly it has made no difference! If you are preparing yourself for the QLTS it will be challenging. I have to do all sorts of things and talk to all sorts of people to keep my motivation levels up. Sometimes it is only Jack Johnson’s music that gets me up to study in the morning.

If you feel the same way, don't hesitate to leave your feedback as a comment on my blog, I would love to hear how other people are dealing with this.

One step at a time...

Posted on July 28, 2011 by RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ

I would like to start this entry by letting you know the content may not be the most stimulating today. However if you are planning to take the QLTS assessments you should find it quite helpful. If you are a non legal friend of mine I will understand if you do not finish this. Just try to skip any conversation about my blog until I have written the next entry... No regrets at all! but it doesn't hurt to be polite and hide the truth which is you couldn't care less about how to get a certificate of eligibility. Well, fair enough then.

So let's get this started. There are two important things you will need to get before sitting the assessments for the QLTS. First is a certificate of good standing from your bar association and then the certificate of eligibility from the SRA.

Your certificate of good standing will show that you have successfully completed your studies in law, don't have any criminal record and have been paying your fees to the bar association with no delays.

So first thing I did was to contact my bar association which is located in Barcelona. I filled out the appropriate form and indicated what language I wanted this document to be written in. Here it was! My first mistake. I didn't read through the guidance notes properly and (incorrectly) assumed that the certificate of good standing needed to be in English. Rookie mistake! The SRA asks for the original one which will be written in the language of your home jurisdiction. Had I read it thoroughly I would have saved sixty pounds and two weeks of mucking around.

The next thing you need to do is check out this website www.sra.org.uk and download the application for the certificate of eligibility. Do not forget to read the guidance notes carefully! Make sure you do everything by the book so your application doesn't take longer than it actually needs to. If there is a single mistake your application will be sent back to you. Therefore, double check every page. You will also be asked to attached a certified copy of your passport. If you are unsure of what to do check this out...

http://www2.postoffice.co.uk/counter-services/passport-identity/identity-checking-service

You will also need to attach two passport sized photographs so say CHEESE!

Having completed the application and attached the relevant documents it is time to pay (the hardest part for any Catalan) so be ready with a cheque for £400 or go onto the SRA website and download the pay by debit card form. Thereafter you will need to send everything to the SRA. If you have done everything correctly you will receive a big envelop from the SRA with your certificate of eligibility inside. This confirms that you are entitled to practise law in your home jurisdiction and have no criminal record, disciplinary actions or other issues related to your background.

The last step will be to contact Kaplan QLTS directly by email qlts@kaplan.co.uk or by phone for details of the assessment dates and venues.

I hope that is helpful, it sounds much easier than I found it to be in reality... the joy of hindsight.

As time ticks away…

Posted on July 17, 2011 by RAQUEL RODRÍGUEZ

Since I started this blog my curiosity has been focused on what concerns people about the QLTS. After doing some research I found time was a big issue. Figuring out how much preparation was needed for the QLTS exasperated students. To tell the truth I’ve been struggling with this myself. I was planning to take the Multiple Choice Test on July 7th. Unfortunately I had to postpone as I had not read through all the manuals and had not yet received one of them from the QLTS School (which I am still waiting for by the way…) The next date for the MCT hasn’t been confirmed but it is likely to be around December.

There are a few things you should take into account when making your study plan. For instance will you take a course that provides the basic information and structure or find the material and study on your own, what jurisdiction did you study in, did you study or practice with Civil or Common Law, are you a native English speaker or will you need to take the English language test, how much time do you have to dedicate to studying and is there someone who can help you if you're having problems. It also depends what kind of success you are going for. In other words, do you just want to pass the exam or do you really want to learn and understand how the English legal system operates.

In my case I decided to follow the course set out by the QLTS school. My experience with Common Law and English legal terminology was limited so I would have struggled without some guidance. I originally aimed to be ready in 3 months but will now have about 8 months to prepare for the first exam. This might seem like a long time but remember there are no classes to attend, no teachers to check with and no classmates to discuss problems with, it is just you and the material.

Although there is certainly plenty of work to do, in my opinion having a balanced life is a priority. You should not focus all your energy on studying for the QLTS and try to have some variety so when it’s time to study you feel fresh. Going out and having fun is just as important as being at home preparing for this exam. For instance, last night after my Chinese class I met with some friends for a typical English pub quiz. I was hopping to be asked about some English legal stuff… you know… like how many members are in the House of Commons or what titles the Presidents of each of the 3 High Court Divisions have… however knowing that the latest Beyonce album is called 4 would have been more helpful… Oh well… I suppose the QLTS stuff will be more useful than Beyonce in finding a job… I had a lovely time anyway! Thanks Leigh, Tina and Steve!

… And just for the record the House of Commons consists of 650 members and the Presidents of each of the 3 High Court Divisions have the following titles: QBD-Lord Chief Justice, Chancery Division-Lord Chancellor and Vice Chancellor and Family Division-The President of the Family Division.

Beware of what you are getting yourself into...

Posted on July 07, 2011 by RAQUEL RODRÍGUEZ

Here is a picture of the pile of manuals I received for my MCT preparation… and as if that wasn’t enough there is another one coming out soon! Looking forward to it!  

I have been developing a dry sense of humour since I started the QLTS.  

As you may know by now, the QLTS is a conversion process overseas Lawyers need to go through to practice in England & Wales. It is made up of three different parts: a multiple choice test (MCT) and two practical assessments; Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and Technical Legal Skills Test (TLST). The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) runs the QLTS and has appointed Kaplan as the sole assessment organization for the first three years of the operation of this scheme.  

The MCT needs to be completed before you have a chance to take the practical assessments so for now it is all I will be talking about. Consisting of 180 multiple choice questions divided into two separate three-hour sessions the MCT is no easy ride. The test is split into morning and afternoon sessions each with 90 questions. The 180 questions are divided roughly equally between the 11 Day One Outcomes which have been stated by the SRA (check this out: www.sra.org.uk/).  

This brings me to my next point; self or guided studies?  

Since I am not a native English speaker and my background in common law is limited I opted to take a preparation course with the QLTS School www.QLTS.co.uk. They offer a self study course which includes the booklets above (made by experts that are supposed to cover the 11 outcomes), some MCT sample questions and mock exams via the online system. There is a chance to access tutorials and lectures of some type also however they cost more and are not included in the basic package. If you have additional questions you can submit them for expert answers but you will be charged for each question (no idea of how much it is but I could easily find out if someone is interested). For the MCT package you will pay about £900. To have most of the information laid out in front of me has made it easier in some ways but the school is in the first year so is not running as smoothly as I expected.

I am interested in finding out how people who haven’t taken a course are doing. If that is you… please leave some feedback so we all can weight up the pros and cons.

Ab initio...

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Raquel Rodríguez

QLTS is an acronym for Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme and is the process that any internationally qualified lawyer seeking to practice as a solicitor in England and Wales must go through.   

I am a Spanish Law graduate and have always aimed for a career in international commercial law. To do well in this area of law the knowledge of English language is an advantage and in some cases an out and out requirement. Here it is again… a topic that makes most Spanish people shake. Although we study English throughout our school years we do not seem to learn it. This is a fact and very sad indeed. Apparently after completing what we call bachillerato (two years of school before enrolling university) all Spanish students achieve an upper intermediate English level. Well the truth is that this level tends to be quite mediocre.  

So here I was, a Spanish señorita who had just finished her degree in Law and wanting to work in an international environment. The plan I had for my future forced me out of Spain. In my third year of university I did an Erasmus in Italy which made me realize how efficiently you learn a language if you immerse yourself in that culture. After my graduation I booked a one-way flight to London, where I planned to stay for as much time as I needed to become fluent in English.

While my fellow graduates were starting their careers as lawyers I was taking an alternative path. This consisted of English classes, jobs in stores and restaurants (getting paid to practise speaking) and watching shows like Friends over and over with the subtitles switched on. When I finally felt confident enough I thought why don’t I stay here? London is a great city, especially when it comes to business. I started doing some research and found out that there is a process called QLTS that you need to go through. This used to be called QLTT until 31 of August 2010 when they modified it to make it more accurate and up to date.  

It is interesting that at university none of us were told what to do in order to practice in another country. A little unusual especially since we all claim to be part of this big organization called the European Union. It is not my intention to start an argument on this issue but it does not hurt to give it some thought once in a while.

Before going into more serious matters I would like to be clear, I am not an expert. I am just a foreign student who like many others, wants to make my future here and very often feels lost. I hope this blog will help people who may feel this way to open up themselves and share their thoughts, concerns and experiences.  

This is my second attempt to write this entry. I thought the first one was too boring and technical. Hopefully I made this one more interesting and useful.

Having said that I am committing myself to a weekly update about how my experience through the QLTS is going. The next entry will be about how to find the right resources and support to prepare for the Exam.

I will be writing to you very soon!