For the latest information on QLTT eligibility, structure and dates, please see https://www.lawsociety.ie/Public/Foreign-Lawyers/QLTT-exams/

The below information is valid as of 1Q, 2021.

Eligible New York, California and Pennsylvania qualified lawyers may apply for admission to the roll of solicitors in Ireland by passing the Qualified Lawyer Transfer Test (QLTT) with is administered by the Law Society of Ireland (the “Law Society”). The QLTT is held twice each at year the Law Society in Dublin (in June and November), with 9 exams spread over 7 days. Applicants are not required to sit all of the exams in one sitting, and the Law Society grants exemptions from several of the exams for those with work experience in the relevant field. As of 2021, the exams are in Constitutional Law (2 hours) and either Criminal Law (2 hours) or Company Law (2 hours), Contract (2 hours), Tort (2 hours), European Union Law (3 hours), Land Law & Conveyancing (4 hours), Tax & Probate (4 hours) Solicitors’ Accounts (2 hours) and Professional Conduct (short interview).

A.    Eligibility

Attorneys qualified in either New York or California may qualify to sit the QLTT, provided they have one-year of post-qualification experience in the jurisdiction of qualification. Attorneys qualified in Pennsylvania may qualify to sit the QLTT provided they have five years of post-qualification experience. No other U.S. states have reciprocal arrangements with the Law Society of Ireland.

 B.    Certificate of Eligibility

The first step to qualifying as a solicitor is to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Law Society of Ireland). The Certificate requires that the applicant provide

·        Three references (of which only one may be from a current employer and two must be from either qualified solicitors, or lawyers qualified in the applicant’s home jurisdiction)

·        Certified copies of all degree certificates

·        An original Certificate of Good Standing from all jurisdictions in which they are qualified.

·        The fee for the certificate is €430. The application form and eligibility criteria can be found here.

 C.    Exemptions

Applicants with work experience in any of the fields examined may request an exemption from sitting the corresponding exam. No exemptions are given for having taken classes or exams in the relevant subjects. Applicants qualified in another EU jurisdiction are permitted an exemption from EU law. Applications for exemptions are considered by the Educational Committee which meets 7 times per year. Any exemptions granted will be listed on the applicant’s Certificate of Eligibility.

 D.    Applying for the QLTT exams

Once the Certificate of Eligibility has been issue issued, the applicant may apply to sit the QLTT exams. Applicants can choose to take the exams over one, or a number, of sittings, though only applicants who have passed all of the exams can apply for admission to the Roll of Solicitors. As of 2021, the fee for each exam ranges from €165 to €225.

E.    Studying for the exams

City College provides preparatory classes for the QLTT. These classes are all on-demand and can be purchased as a full package €2,500, or subjects can be bought separately (ranging from €200 to €495 per subject). These courses are not licensed or endorsed by the Law Society, however as of 2021, they are the only preparatory courses available. The law society provides an updated list of course providers here. The Law Society also provides past exam papers which can be purchased for €10 per paper.

F.     Sitting the exams

The exams are all held in on the Law Society’s chapel building near the Four Courts in Dublin. The exams are a mix of Essay and Problem questions, and are all hand-written (no laptops allowed unless specifically permitted on account of a disability). The exams are closed-book and are professionally proctored. Exam results are issued after approximately 6 weeks.

 G.    Admission to the Roll of Solicitors

Once all exams have been passed, an application for admission to the Roll of Solicitors can be made. The cost is €300, and the application must be accompanied by updated references, an updated Certificate of Good Standing, and the application form. Full details and a list of required documentation can be found here.

H. Practice restrictions

It should be noted that only solicitors with an establishment in Ireland may practice Irish law.

 This guide was prepared by Andrew Lillis