The Complete Guide to Legal English and TOLES® (Test of Legal English Skills): Building International Legal Communication and Professional Competence

Introduction

English has become the primary language of international business, cross-border transactions, international arbitration, commercial contracts, and many multinational legal practices. As businesses increasingly operate across jurisdictions, legal professionals are expected not only to understand the law but also to communicate accurately and confidently in legal English.

Unlike general English, Legal English is a specialist language with its own vocabulary, drafting style, legal concepts, and professional conventions. Lawyers working in international practice regularly negotiate contracts, draft legal documents, advise multinational clients, participate in arbitration proceedings, and communicate with colleagues across different legal systems—all in English.

One of the world's most recognised assessments of Legal English is the TOLES® (Test of Legal English Skills) examination. Designed specifically for lawyers and law students whose first language is not English, TOLES measures the practical Legal English skills required in international legal practice.

This guide explains Legal English, the TOLES qualification, its three examination levels, preparation strategies, career benefits, and how professionals can develop practical Legal English skills.

What Is Legal English?

Legal English is the specialised language used by lawyers and legal professionals in English-speaking and international legal environments.

It includes:

• Legal vocabulary

• Contract drafting terminology

• Commercial language

• Litigation terminology

• Corporate law terminology

• Legal correspondence

• Negotiation language

• Legal writing

• Legal research

• Professional communication

Legal English is designed to communicate legal concepts precisely and minimise ambiguity.

Why Legal English Matters

Strong Legal English skills enable professionals to:

• Draft contracts accurately.

• Advise international clients.

• Participate confidently in negotiations.

• Communicate with multinational legal teams.

• Understand English-language legislation and judgments.

• Prepare legal opinions.

• Improve career mobility.

• Work more effectively in international commercial practice.

For many employers, Legal English is now an important professional competency rather than simply a language skill.

What Is TOLES®?

TOLES® (Test of Legal English Skills) is an internationally recognised assessment of practical Legal English designed specifically for lawyers, law students, in-house counsel, judges, legal translators, compliance professionals, and others working in legal environments.

Unlike general English examinations, TOLES focuses on the language used in legal practice.

The examination assesses a candidate's ability to understand and use legal terminology accurately within realistic legal and commercial contexts.

Who Should Study TOLES?

TOLES is suitable for:

• Lawyers

• Solicitors

• Barristers

• In-house counsel

• Law students

• Legal executives

• Judges

• Prosecutors

• Legal translators

• Compliance officers

• Company secretaries

• Contract managers

• Government lawyers

• International business professionals

It is particularly valuable for professionals working with English law or international commercial transactions.

Why Employers Value TOLES

Many international organisations recognise the practical value of TOLES because it assesses language used in real legal work.

Strong Legal English supports:

• Better client communication.

• More accurate contract drafting.

• Reduced misunderstandings.

• Improved legal writing.

• Greater confidence in cross-border transactions.

• Enhanced international collaboration.

The Three TOLES Levels

TOLES qualifications are structured progressively to reflect increasing levels of Legal English competence.

TOLES Foundation

Who Is It For?

Foundation is designed for learners beginning their Legal English journey.

Typical candidates include:

• Law students

• Junior lawyers

• Recent graduates

• Professionals with intermediate English

Skills Developed

Foundation focuses on understanding:

• Basic legal vocabulary

• Commercial terminology

• Contract language

• Company law terminology

• Employment law vocabulary

• Banking terminology

• Legal correspondence

• Basic drafting language

Learners build confidence in reading and understanding everyday legal documents.

Typical Learning Outcomes

Participants learn to:

• Recognise common legal terminology.

• Understand commercial correspondence.

• Read simple contracts.

• Interpret legal documents.

• Improve legal vocabulary.

• Develop confidence in professional communication.

TOLES Higher

Who Is It For?

Higher is designed for professionals already using English in legal practice.

Typical candidates include:

• Practising lawyers

• In-house counsel

• Corporate legal advisers

• International legal professionals

Skills Developed

Higher expands learners' ability to:

• Draft legal correspondence.

• Interpret commercial contracts.

• Understand corporate transactions.

• Analyse legal documents.

• Use specialist legal terminology.

• Communicate with international clients.

Typical Learning Outcomes

Participants strengthen their ability to:

• Read complex contracts.

• Understand transactional documents.

• Draft accurate legal communications.

• Apply commercial legal vocabulary.

• Improve professional writing.

• Work confidently in international legal environments.

TOLES Advanced

Who Is It For?

Advanced is intended for experienced legal professionals who regularly work in English.

Candidates often include:

• Senior lawyers

• Partners

• International arbitrators

• Commercial specialists

• Corporate counsel

• Legal consultants

Skills Developed

Advanced focuses on sophisticated Legal English used in complex international practice.

Topics include:

• Commercial contracts

• Mergers and acquisitions

• Banking and finance

• Corporate transactions

• International dispute resolution

• Intellectual property

• Professional correspondence

• Advanced drafting techniques

Typical Learning Outcomes

Successful candidates demonstrate the ability to:

• Understand complex legal documentation.

• Use advanced legal terminology accurately.

• Draft sophisticated commercial correspondence.

• Communicate professionally with international clients.

• Analyse legal language precisely.

• Work confidently in multinational legal practice.

How TOLES Differs from General English Examinations

General English examinations assess everyday communication.

TOLES focuses specifically on legal practice.

Examples include:

• Contract clauses.

• Commercial negotiations.

• Corporate transactions.

• Employment law.

• Banking.

• Intellectual property.

• Litigation terminology.

• International business law.

The emphasis is on practical legal communication rather than conversational English.

Core Areas of Legal English

Professional Legal English typically includes:

Contract Law

• Drafting clauses

• Obligations

• Warranties

• Indemnities

• Termination

• Liability

Company and Commercial Law

• Shareholders

• Directors

• Corporate governance

• Mergers

• Joint ventures

Employment Law

• Contracts of employment

• Dismissal

• Disciplinary procedures

• Workplace policies

Banking and Finance

• Loan agreements

• Security documents

• Financial terminology

• Guarantees

Intellectual Property

• Copyright

• Trade marks

• Patents

• Licensing

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

• Court procedures

• Arbitration

• Mediation

• Evidence

• Judgments

Developing Practical Legal English Skills

Improving Legal English requires more than memorising vocabulary.

Successful learners regularly practise:

• Reading contracts.

• Drafting legal documents.

• Writing professional emails.

• Negotiating commercial agreements.

• Analysing case studies.

• Learning legal collocations.

• Using accurate legal terminology in context.

Practical application is essential for long-term improvement.

Common Challenges for International Lawyers

Many professionals find Legal English difficult because of:

• Complex legal vocabulary.

• Differences between common law and civil law terminology.

• Contract drafting conventions.

• Archaic legal expressions.

• False friends between languages.

• Technical commercial language.

Structured training helps learners overcome these challenges systematically.

Tips for Success in TOLES

Effective preparation includes:

• Expanding legal vocabulary.

• Reading commercial contracts.

• Studying authentic legal documents.

• Practising legal drafting.

• Reviewing legal correspondence.

• Learning common contractual phrases.

• Completing realistic examination exercises.

• Receiving expert feedback.

Consistent practice is more effective than memorising isolated terminology.

Career Benefits of TOLES

Developing Legal English skills can support:

• International legal careers.

• Cross-border transactions.

• Employment with multinational law firms.

• Opportunities in international organisations.

• Improved client confidence.

• Greater professional credibility.

• Enhanced drafting skills.

• Better communication with overseas colleagues.

For many lawyers, Legal English becomes a valuable competitive advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is TOLES?

TOLES (Test of Legal English Skills) is an internationally recognised assessment that measures practical Legal English used in professional legal practice.

Who should take TOLES?

Law students, lawyers, in-house counsel, judges, legal translators, compliance professionals, and anyone working in international legal environments.

What are the TOLES levels?

The qualification consists of three progressive levels: Foundation, Higher, and Advanced.

Is TOLES the same as IELTS?

No. IELTS assesses general academic or everyday English, while TOLES focuses specifically on Legal English used in legal practice.

Do I need to be a lawyer to study TOLES?

No. Many law students, compliance professionals, translators, and business professionals also study Legal English and prepare for TOLES.

Why is Legal English important?

It enables legal professionals to communicate accurately, draft documents effectively, and work confidently in international legal environments.

Is TOLES recognised internationally?

Yes. TOLES is used by legal professionals and employers in many jurisdictions as evidence of practical Legal English competence.

How can I improve my Legal English?

Regular reading of legal documents, structured Legal English training, drafting practice, and preparation for recognised assessments such as TOLES all contribute to developing professional competence.

Conclusion

Legal English has become an essential professional skill for lawyers working in an increasingly international legal market. The ability to understand, draft, negotiate, and communicate legal concepts accurately in English enhances professional credibility and supports more effective legal practice across jurisdictions.

TOLES provides a structured pathway for developing and demonstrating practical Legal English competence. From Foundation through Higher to Advanced, each level builds progressively on the knowledge and skills required in modern legal practice.

Whether you are a law student preparing for an international career, an in-house lawyer advising multinational businesses, or an experienced practitioner handling cross-border transactions, investing in Legal English is an investment in your long-term professional development.

Develop Your Legal English with EMG Associates

EMG Associates delivers specialist Legal English and TOLES preparation programmes designed for lawyers, law students, in-house counsel, judges, legal translators, compliance professionals, and international legal practitioners.

Our programmes prepare participants for the TOLES Foundation, TOLES Higher, and TOLES Advanced examinations while developing the practical Legal English skills required for international legal practice. Through interactive workshops, realistic legal documents, contract drafting exercises, legal correspondence, commercial case studies, and examination-focused preparation, participants build the confidence to communicate effectively in professional legal environments and achieve internationally recognised Legal English qualifications.