English is an essential tool for any lawyer working with international matters. Employers need to know that the legal staff they appoint have a sufficient level of English to be able to communicate with clients and professionals in other countries, and to handle information written in English. At the same time, law students and newly qualified lawyers need to be able to show employers that they have these skills.
ILEC (www.legalenglishtest.org) is the world's first internationally recognised test of legal English. It is a high-level language qualification for lawyers (set at levels B2 and C1 of the Common European Framework of References for Languages and assesses language skills in a legal context. It forms part of the Cambridge ESOL examinations portfolio and has been developed in collaboration with Translegal – Europe’s leading firm of lawyer-linguists.
ILEC is based on realistic tasks of the kind legal practitioners would be expected to encounter in their daily working lives. Successful candidates are able to use the language in practical situations, to participate in meetings and discussions of a legal nature, express opinions clearly and are able to understand and to produce texts of various types, including letters and memoranda. Studying for ILEC will help learners to improve their language skills and to use them in a wide range of legal contexts.
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ILEC is for law students and practising lawyers who are seeking employment in an international legal setting. This includes law students who are:
- seeking employment in an international commercial law context, e.g. law firms, company legal departments, and government agencies
- intending to study law where the course includes a significant English language content, either in their own country or abroad.
It includes practising lawyers who are:
- seeking new employment in an international commercial law context
- seeking promotion within their own organisations
- learning English as part of a training programme.
Furthermore, it aids legal employers with the hiring and training of personnel, and law faculties and language schools with the selection, placement and graduation of their students.
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ILEC is a Cambridge ESOL examination, produced and assessed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, in collaboration with Translegal which are Europe’s leading firm of lawyer-linguists.
ILEC is recognised by leading associations of lawyers:
- European Law Students’ Association
- European Company Lawyers Association
- European Young Bar association
- International Association of Young Lawyers
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The examination takes approximately four hours in total and consists of four papers:
- Test of Reading (1h15)
- Test of Writing (1h15)
- Test of Listening (40’)
- Test of Speaking (16’)
The examination is based on realistic tasks of the kind legal practitioners would be expected to encounter in their daily working lives. Successful candidates are able to use the language in practical situations, to participate in meetings and discussions of a legal nature, express opinions clearly and are able to understand and to produce texts of various types, including letters and memoranda. Examinations will be delivered through Cambridge ESOL's network of authorised examination centres throughout Europe and beyond.
Written papers are marked in the UK, by Cambridge ESOL examiners.
The Test of Speaking is conducted face-to-face by qualified oral examiners.
Test results are normally reported within six weeks of the test date. All candidates receive a statement of results showing their performance on each of the four papers and an overall grade. The overall grade boundaries will be as follows: C1 Pass with Merit, C1 Pass, B2 Pass, Narrow Fail and Fail. Candidates who achieve passing grades will receive an official certificate awarded by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations.
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Preparation courses for ILEC are usually run in private language schools, British Council Teaching Centres and university departments in many countries.
- Download free sample exam papers and listening test materials and/or purchase exam preparation materials including online resources from www.legalenglishtest.org
- Cambridge University Press (CUP) has published an ILEC course book entitled "International Legal English", authored by Translegal.
- In Belgium, a course is offered at the University of Liège and New Language based in Sint-Stevens-Woluwe runs in-company courses.
(Disclaimer: British Council does not endorse external providers and is not responsible for their products and services)
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British Council Brussels is the only approved centre for ILEC in Belgium and Luxembourg.
The exam will be administered on two fixed dates per year.
The dates for 2011-12 are: (NEW DATES!!)
Venue British Council Brussels
| Written & oral exam |
07.07.12 |
15.09.12 |
| Closing date |
28.05.12 |
09.08.12 |
•We require a minimum of ten candidates to hold a session. If the number is not reached by the deadline candidates are informed immediately by e-mail that the session is cancelled and their fees are refunded.
•ILEC can be administered on the premises of any institute or company with a minimum of 30 candidates. Cambridge ESOL offers a choice of twelve dates in 2012. For more information please contact us
•British Council Brussels is the only approved centre for ILEC in Belgium and Luxembourg.
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The ILEC exam fee is € 240 from 01/09/2011
Before you register, ensure
2. Download the relevant application form below and follow the instructions printed on it.
There are two types of entry forms:
3. Complete the relevant ILEC/ICFE application form and e-mail it, fax it or post it to us to reach us no later the advertised deadline with
(a). a photocopy of your ID card or passport
(b). your proof of payment
- Please note:
We cannot register you or reserve a place if your application is incomplete. You must attach a copy of your identity card or passport AND proof of payment to your application. Idem for payments received without the application form.
- E-mail: exams@britishcouncil.be
- Fax: 02/227.08.49
- Address: Examinations Services, British Council Brussels, Troonstraat 108, rue du Trône, 1050 Brussels.
- Late applications may exceptionally be accepted up to 20 calendar days after the deadline at an additional cost of € 65. Please contact exams@britishcouncil.be before making your application.
4. Methods of payment
- We are not able to invoice candidates but we can issue on request an attendance certificate which mentions the supervisions fees paid.
- We are not in a position to accept payments in cash or by credit card.
- Payments from within the EURO zone:
Bank transfer in Euro to our local bank account number with candidate’s name + ILEC + exam date.
Account number: 734-0184355-64 IBAN: BE29 7340 1843 5564 BIC: KREDBEBB. KBC Bank, Marnixlaan 31 avenue Marnix , 1000 Brussels
- Payment from outside the EURO zone:
Payments by bank transfer only. Please instruct your financial institution to charge the full transfer costs levied in both countries to your account.
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Please refer to our Cancellation and Refund Policy before you register.
Special arrangements for candidates with a temporary or permanent handicap or learning difficulty
Cambridge ESOL provides a comprehensive service for disabled candidates including those with specific learning difficulties, hearing difficulties or visual difficulties. If this is your case, please contact us before the deadline for registration. We will ask for full details of your particular difficulty (including recent medical evidence in support of your application) and advise you on the arrangements which may be possible.
Three brief guides have been written for disabled candidates who are thinking of taking a Cambridge examination.
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