International Legal English Certificate

WHAT IS ILEC?

The International Legal English Certificate is a high-level examination designed to determine whether candidates whose first language is not English have an adequate level of English to function efficiently, in terms of language ability, in the international legal environment.

WHO IS THE ILEC EXAM FOR AND WHY SHOULD I TAKE IT?

Those who have recently qualified as lawyers, or who are still studying, need to be able to show employers that they have these skills. Cambridge ILEC was created to meet the needs of both employers and lawyers. It is also suitable for law students intending to follow courses, which includes significant English language content — either in their own country or abroad.

WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF THE EXAM?

ILEC has 4 tests:
Reading 1 hour 15 min (50 marks)
Writing
Listening 1 hour 15 min (50 marks)
40 min approx (50 marks)
Speaking 16 min approx (50 marks)

ILEC has 3 passing grades:

Pass with Merit (CEFR C1) 80% and above
Pass (CEFR C1) 70 – 79%
Pass (CEFR B2) 50 – 69%
Narrow Fail 45 – 49%
Fail 44% and below

There are no pass of fail levels in individual papers. Your marks for each paper are added together to calculate your grade for the whole exam.

WHEN DO THE EXAMS TAKE PLACE?

The London Exam Centre, which is part of Wimbledon School of English, is a certified exam centre for Cambridge. The exam can be taken at our centre usually 3 times a year: May, September and November. To register for the exam you need to see the Examinations Officer.

WHEN ARE THE RESULTS RELEASED?

The results are released approximately 6-8 weeks after the exam. If you pass the exam you will receive a certificate in 4 weeks after the result release day.

CAN YOUR RESULTS BE VERIFIED?

The results can be verified by organisations and agencies nominated by candidates (e.g. universities and employers) on https://verification.cambridgeesolonline.org (which can include the optional Test Day Photo, i.e. AIC).