International Legal English Certificate

The International Legal English Certificate (ILEC) is a high-level English language qualification for lawyers. ILEC is an examination set at levels B2 and C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. ILEC assesses language skills in a legal context. Examinations at the C1 level may be used as proof of the level of language necessary to work in an international legal context or to follow a course of legal study at university level.

Internationally recognised

ILEC is a Cambridge ESOL[1] examination, developed in co-operation with TransLegal[2] – Europe’s leading firm of lawyer-linguists. It is recognised by leading associations of lawyers including the European Company Lawyers Association, the European Law Students' Association, the International Association of Young Lawyers, and the European Young Bar Association.

Introduction to ILEC

The aims of ILEC:

The content of ILEC

ILEC comprises the Test of Reading, the Test of Writing, the Test of Listening and the Test of Speaking. Each test is based on realistic texts, tasks and topics similar to those practitioners would expect to encounter in their daily working lives. The examination texts and topics are set in the context of international commercial law.

The following list is an illustration of some of the areas of law featured in ILEC:

• Corporate
Business associations
• Contract
• Sale of goods
Real property
Debtor-creditor
Intellectual property
Employment
• Competition
• Environmental
Negotiable instruments
Secured transactions
• Aspects of international law
The ILEC examination will also cover relevant aspects of legal practice.

Varieties of English

Candidates’ responses to tasks in ILEC are acceptable in varieties of English which would enable candidates to function in the widest range of international contexts. ILEC texts are based on authentic source material from many English-speaking countries.

Official accreditation in the UK

ILEC has been accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), the statutory regulatory authority for external qualifications in England, and its counterparts in Wales and Northern Ireland at Level 1 and Level 2 in the National Qualifications Framework, under the title ‘Cambridge ESOL Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International (Legal English)’ and ‘Cambridge ESOL Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (Legal English)’.

ILEC candidature

ILEC is suitable for law students and practising lawyers who are seeking employment in an international legal setting.

This includes law students who are:

It includes practising lawyers who are:

ILEC candidates are expected to be familiar with some legal concepts and terminology commonly associated with international commercial law.

Grading and results

Results are reported as three passing grades (C1 Pass with Merit, C1 Pass and B2 Pass) and two failing grades (Narrow Fail and Fail). A candidate’s overall ILEC grade is based on the total score gained by the candidate in all four papers.

References

External links