What do Legal english exams look like?

ILEC consists of four parts:

• Reading - 1 hour 15 minutes, 6 tasks with 54 questions;
• Writing - 1 hour 15 minutes, 2 tasks;
• Listening – 40 minutes, 4 tasks with 30 questions;
• Speaking – 16 minutes, 4 tasks.

TOLES is offered at three different levels:

• TOLES Foundation (A2-B1 Council of Europe levels): Reading & Writing - 1hour 30 minutes;
• TOLES Higher (B1-B2  Council of Europe levels):  Reading & Writing – 1hour 30 minutes, Listening – 30 minutes;
• TOLES Advanced (B2-C2 Council of Europe levels) – Reading & Writing - 2 hours.

When and where can i sit legal english exams?

You can take the ILEC exam at the British Council examination centres in Warsaw, Krakow, and Wroclaw.

TOLES is organized at all British Council examination centres in Poland.

Go to the ExamFinder below to check when you can take the exams.

http://www.examfinder.britishcouncil.pl/?ln=en

What are the legal english exams' fees?

The standard fees for the exams valid up to 30th June 2012 are presented in the Examinations Fees document.

How do I register?

In order to register for ILEC you should:

1. Read the Regulations for Cambridge ESOL examinations in 2012 carefully.
2. Enter your candidature into the candidates on-line database in the British Council EntryNet system on www.britishcouncil.pl
3. Deposit the required fee according to the instructions given in the British Council EntryNet.

Candidates who do not observe the procedures stated in points A1, A2 and A3 will not be able to enter for the given session of the Cambridge examinations and their personal data will be deleted from the candidates database in the British Council EntryNet on-line registration system.

IMPORTANT
Candidates will receive by e-mail the confirmation that their data was successfully added to the candidates on-line database together with information regarding payment details and the examination fee. The submission of proof of payment is not required. When the payment is accredited to the British Council account the candidate will receive an e-mail with the conformation of registration for a Cambridge exam.Candidates should keep both e-mail messages until they receive an e-mail with the Statement of Entry with the detailed plan of the session.

In order to register for TOLES you should:

1. Read the 2012 TOLES Regulations carefully.
2. Fill in the Entry Form and pay the exam fee.
   
   Below you will find postal slips which can be used for payment:
   - TOLES Foundation Payment Slip,
   - TOLES Higher Payment Slip,
   - TOLES Advanced Payment Slip.
   
   IMPORTANT: when completing the section on your payment slip entitled “Tytułem” please use the descriptions below:
   Name of exam/date of exam/candidate’s name + surname e.g.:
   TOLES Foundation/7/01/06/PAWEŁ KOMAR
3. send the documents to British Council Integrated Customer Services by e-mali exams@britishcouncil.pl or fax 22 695 59 30:

Entries sent after close of registration or incomplete documentation will not be accepted.

If there are fewer than 10 candidates registered for a session the test will not be organised. In such an eventuality, the British Council will offer candidates either a full reimbursement of the examination fee or transfer to the next available exam session.

Candidates will receive information on the exam timetable (Statements of Entry) by e-mail approximately 2 weeks before the date of their test.

what grades are there?

ILEC

Results are available ca 9 weeks after the exam on http://www.cambridgeesol-results.org. Candidates receive from British Council instructions how they can check their results. The Statement of Results shows the candidate’s performance on each of the four papers and an overall grade. Those who achieve pass grades will receive an official certificate awarded by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. Certificates can be obtained in the following way:

• in person at the British Council in Warsaw
• by registered mail (PLEASE NOTE: in the case of the loss of a certificate the University of Cambridge will not issue a duplicate)
• by courier (at the candidate’s expense)

ILEC exam grades:

Passing grades

• Pass with Merit C1 English at advanced level (CAE level) - 80 - 100%
• Pass C1 English at advanced level (CAE level) - 70 - 79 %
• Pass B2 English at intermediate level (FCE level) - 50 - 69 %

Failing grades

• Narrow Fail -  45 - 49 %
• Fail - 0  - 44 %

TOLES

Results are available ca 6 weeks after the exam. Certificates can be obtained in the following way:

• in person at the British Council in Warsaw
• by registered mail (in the case of the loss of a certificate the candidate covers the cost of issuing a duplicate)
• by courier (at the candidate’s expense)

TOLES Foundation and TOLES Higher grades:

There are four grade bands. Candidate’s results are expressed as a percentage score.

81-100 This candidate has EXCELLENT legal English skills at the chosen level
61-80                                    This candidate has VERY GOOD legal English skills at the chosen level
41-60 This candidate has SATISFACTORY legal English skills at the chosen level
0-40 This candidate DOES NOT YET POSSESS legal English skills at the chosen level

TOLES Advanced grades:

The examination provides a series of six progressively graded results, which are designed to comment exclusively upon legal professionals whose first language is not English. They move from a very low level of proficiency (GREEN 0-100) up to an advanced level of proficiency which approaches native-level ability (GOLD 451-500).

GOLD
451-500                                 excellent.
ORANGE
401-450 very good
RED
301-400 good
PURPLE
201-300 satisfactory
BLUE
101-200 approaching satisfactory
GREEN
0 -100 basic

how to prepare for legal english exams?

A preparation course is not a requirement for candidates who want to register for ILEC and TOLES.  However, it is recommended that candidates have some practice in law (are familiar with law) or attend a legal English preparation course.

ILEC preparation materials:

• Sample exam papers and online teacher resources are available at: http://www.cambridge.org/elt/legalenglish/resources.htm
• International Legal English Students’ Book, Amy Krois-Lindner (CUP)
• International Legal English Teacher’s Book,  Jeremy Day –  (CUP)

TOLES preparation materials:

• Sample tests for TOLES can be downloaded from http://www.toles.co.uk or ordered from Omnibus: poznan@omnibus.com.pl
• The Lawyer’s English Language Coursebook, Catherine Mason and Rosemary Atkins

Other helpful materials for ILEC and TOLES
Available in Poland:

• 058232842X: Mkt Leader Business Law
• 0582468981: Penguin: Test Your Professional English Law
• 0134012097: English for Law
• 0132804549: English Law and Language
• 837387084-9: C.H.BECK  M.Jakubaszek "Legal English"
• 83-7387-253-1: C.H.BECK  I.Kienzler  “Dictionary of Economic Terms (Banking-Finances-Law) English-Polish”
• 83-7387-328-7: : C.H.BECK  I.Kienzler “Polsko-Angielski Słownik Terminologii Gospodarczej (Bankowość-Finanse-Prawo)”

Available in Great Britain (can be ordered by the Omnibus bookstore ( poznan@omnibus.com.pl):

• ISBN 042179870X English for Contract and Company Law by Chartrand, Millar and Wiltshire
• ISBN 0-9537653-0-X An Essential A-Z of Business Law by Rosemary Atkins and Catherine Mason

How to apply for invoices and REIMBURSEMENTS?

INVOICES:

If you want to receive an invoice for your exam payment, fill in one of the forms below:

• Request for invoice - individual candidate
• Request for invoice - company

The British Council is not a payer of VAT.

REIMBURSEMENTS

Candidates who have paid for an exam, but did not register are entitled to a full refund. They should fill in a refund form ( Refund Form for TOLES; Refund Form for ILEC) and submit it to the British Council Examination Services.

Candidate who were not able to take part in the exam because of health reasons you are entitled to:

• TOLES - transfer to the next convenient exam date. The basis for the transfer is a medical certificate signed by a doctor and submitted to the below address within 5 working days of the exam.
• ILEC - a 60% refund of the basic examination fee. The basis for the refund is a medical certificate signed by your doctor and submitted to the to the British Council Examination Centre in the town in which the candidate has been registered for exam no later than the deadline stated in the regulations.

Candidates who are absent for other then health reasons are not entitled to a refund or transfer.

what your language level means?

COUNCIL OF EUROPE LEVELS

The Council of Europe Common European Framework of Reference is intended to describe the criteria of language knowledge and skills of language learners across Europe. Please find below a comparison of ILEC and TOLES with the Council of Europe global scale levels.

Copyright: University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations

Detailed description
A1

Break-through Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
A2

Waystage Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
B1

Threshold Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
B2

Vantage Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue, giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
C1

Effective Proficiency Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
C2

Mastery Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.
For more information please visit the Council of Europe webpage.

who accepts ILEC and/or TOLES?

ILEC is accepted by: TOLES is accepted by:
1 & 1 Internet AG Allen & Overy LLP
Advokatfirman Delphi Baker and McKenzie
American University of Armenia Clifford Chance Punder
American University, Washington College of Law, International Legal Studies Program KPMG
Arsov Natchev Ganevia (Bulgaria) Linklaters Oppenhoff and Radler
AS systems – Airbus PricewaterhouseCoopers
Assystem (Airbus) Legal Dept The Law Society of England and Wales
Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia And other law firms and organizations that have already entered candidates for the TOLES exams
Becerril, Coca & Becerril, Mexico
Bernet Castagnet Wantz & Associés
Birkbeck University of London
BNP-Paribas
Boston University Law School – International LLM Program
Bucerius Law School, Germany
Bucerius Law School, Hamburg
Bucharest Police Academy
Bustamante & Bustamante, Ecuador
Cabinet Hoche, Paris
Camargo Correa, Brazil
Charles University, Prague
Claeys & Engels Law Firm
College of Europe
Conçalves Pereira, Castelo Branco, Portugal
Council of Europe
Delphi
Department of Education and Science
Dewey & LeBoeuf Studio Legale
Doubinsky & Osharova, Ukraine
ELS – Executive Language Services
English Connection
English World Institute
Ernst & Young
Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald
Ester & Steiermärkische Bank, Croatia
Europäische Fernhochschule Hamburg
European Company Lawyers Association
European Law Students Association (ELSA)
European Young Bar Association
Eversheds
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Germany
G Grönberg Advokatbyrå, Sweden
Gonçalves Pereira, Castelo Branco
Guyer & Regules, Uruguay
Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), United Arab Emirates
Hoche Société D’Avocats
Hochschule Liechtenstein
International Association of Yourn Lawyers (AIJA)
International Graduate Business School Zagreb (IGBS Zagreb)
ITESM Campus Esdado de México, Escuela de Derecho
Jeantet & Associates, Paris
Kluge Law Firm, Oslo
KY Akadamien vid Studium
KY Akadamien, Sweden
La Trobe University, Australia
Labe i Wspólnicy, Polska
Laga
Langues et Affaires
Leibniz Universität Hannover
Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick, Belgium
Linklaters LLP
LO-TCE Bistíndsnämnd
LO-TCO Rättskydd AB
Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic
Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO)
Nafta AS
NautaDutilh
New Language School, Belgium
Ofqual - Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator, UK
Paris Bar Association ‘Formation Continue’
Paris Bar Association Legal Training Centre (EFB)
Pontificia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, Post Graduate Law Course, Brazil
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
Proskauer Rose
PUC Minas
Queen Mary (University of London) – School of Law
Reykjavik University
Riga Graduate School of Law, Latvia
Société Générale Bank Monaco Legal Dept
Solvay S.A.
STRABAG SE
Strabag, Austria
Studio Legale Toffoletto, Italy
Sveucilište J.J. Strossmayera u Osijeku – Pravni Fakultet
Sveucilište u Splitu – Pravni Fakultet
Swedish Bar Association (Sveriges advokasamfund)
The Council of Europe
The University of Edinburgh
The University of Salford
Toffoletto e Soci
UK Border Agency (Home Office), UK
United Internet AG
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Universidad Catolica de Avila
Universidad de Navarra
Universidad de Sevilla
Universidad de Zaragoza
Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain
Universidade de Sevilla
Universität Bern
Universität St.Gallen
Universität Wien
Universitč de Ličge
Université de Paris II – Panthéon-Assas
Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
Universiteit van Tilburg
Universitŕ Carlo Cattaneo
Universitŕ Commerciale Luigi Bocconi
Universitŕ degli Studi dell’Insubria
Universitŕ degli Studi di Camerino
Universitŕ degli Studi di Foggia
Universitŕ degli Studi di Milano – Bicocca
Universitŕ degli Studi di Parma
University Catolica de Avila
University of Applied Sciences Hamburg (Euro-FH)
University of Bern
University of Bocconi, Italy
University of Calabria, Italy
University of Camerino
University of Carlo Cattaneo – LUIC
University of Edinburgh, Institute for Applied Language Studies
University of Foggia
University of Graz
University of Greifswald
University of Hanover
University of Innsbruck
University of Insurbia
University of Liège, Belgium
University of Milan, Bicocca
University of Montpellier 1 Faculté de Droit
University of Navarra
University of New South Wales
University of Osijek, Croatia
University of Paris I – Sorbonne
University of Paris II – Assas
University of Parma
University of Reykjavik
University of Split, Croatia
University of St Gallen
University of Tilburg, Netherlands
University of Vienna
University of Würzburg
Uría Menéndez
Uría Menéndez Portugal & Spain
Wardyński & Partners, Polska
Weinhold Legal
Wierzbowski Eversheds
Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften (ZHAW)
Zurich University of Applied Sciences

The data regarding ILEC exam are based on the http://www.cambridgeesol.org/recognition/results.php?region=&type=&ILEC=on and also the http://www.legalenglishtest.org/recognition.php webpages.

The data regarding TOLES exam are based on the http://toles.tricycle-media.com/exec/sam/view/id=300/node=302/ webpage.

How to verify an ILEC certificate?

In May 2010 University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations launched a Results Verification Service to help organisations, individuals and agencies to validate candidates' Cambridge ESOL examination results.

The service is free of charge and available online at https://verification.cambridgeesolonline.org/User/SignIn?ReturnUrl=%2f Anyone can use this free service once they have been given permission to verify a result by the certificate holder. Hence, it is a great opportunity for employers to validate the Cambridge ESOL certificates presented by future employees – the service offers all examinations results gathered from 2005 inclusively. The Results Verification Service might be also useful for  universities that would like to confirm students’ English language qualifications.

By using this service one can verify results for the following exams:

• Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
• Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
• First Certificate in English (FCE)
• Preliminary English Test (PET)
• Preliminary English Test for Schools
• Key English Test (KET)
• Key English Test for Schools
• International Legal English Certificate (ILEC)
• International Certificate in Financial English (ICFE)
• Business English Certificates (BEC).

For more detailed information please refer to the Results Verification Service Manual