English is an essential tool for lawyers working in an international legal context. The Cambridge ESOL International Legal English Certificate (ILEC) assesses English language skills and was created to meet the needs of both employers and lawyers.
Employers may request Cambridge ILEC as evidence of their employees’ ability to operate in English in an international legal environment. It allows candidates to demonstrate to employers their ability to communicate in English with clients and professionals and understand written information in an international legal context. It is also suitable for law students intending to follow courses which include significant English language content.
Cambridge ILEC assesses English language ability at Levels B2 and C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which are equivalent in level to the Cambridge First Certificate in English and Certificate in Advanced English.
Cambridge ILEC consists of four separate papers testing reading, writing, listening and speaking, which together last under 3.5 hours (not including breaks). Each paper is based on realistic tasks and topics that legal practitioners might expect to encounter in their daily working lives.
| Exam |
Registration |
Fee |
| Friday 7 June |
15–19 April |
€260 |
Oral interviews will take place . The exact date and time will be shown on each candidate's personal timetable.
If you have not received your timetable two weeks before the date of the written examination, please contact us.
In co-operation with Cambridge ESOL, we provide a Special Arrangements Service for candidates with hearing and/or speech difficulties (MS Word, 63 KB), visual difficulties (MS Word, 73 KB) and kinetic difficulties, as well as for candidates with learning difficulties (MS Word, 57 KB) such as dyslexia. We also make special arrangements for candidates who have sustained accident-related injuries, such as a broken arm, prior to the day of the exam. Download our Information Sheet for Special Needs Candidates (PDF, 18 KB) for details of how to apply for Special Arrangements.
| ILEC TEST DAY PHOTOGRAPHY |
In accordance with University of Cambridge ESOL regulations, candidates registering for ILEC examinations will be required to have a passport-style photograph taken on the day of either the speaking test or the written test. Test Day Photography is compulsory for all candidates over 18 years of age. We will accept applications for candidates under 18 years of age whose parent/legal guardian refuses to consent to the Test Day Photography procedure; however please note that a photo cannot be added to the candidate’s result at a later date. All candidates, or a parent/guardian, must sign the relevant consent form: Photo Consent Form (PDF, 26 KB) |
If you want to transfer to a different examination centre, please submit your request in writing as far in advance as possible. The transfer fee is €25.
If you need to change the date or time of your interview, please submit your request in writing as far in advance as possible. In most cases an administrative fee of €15 will be charged. If you are ill and have a medical certificate issued by a state hospital, you will not need to pay this fee.
We are able to refund 75% of your examination fee for medical reasons only. Appropriate medical evidence (from a state hospital, IKA, TEBE etc) and your timetable must be submitted to the British Council no later than two weeks after the date of the written examination.
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