Foreign-qualified lawyers seeking to practise in England and Wales will have to pass an English language test under new rules approved by the Legal Services Board last week.

International applicants will have to pass the language test before being eligible to take the assessments required under the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme, which enables them to practise in this jurisdiction.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority proposed the additional requirement last year. Applicants will also have to ­satisfy other initial eligibility ­criteria, including consideration of their character and suitability. The current requirement for candidates to undergo work experience will be removed.

The SRA will start to consider applications under the new scheme from 1 September and suitable candidates will be able to sit the practical and written tests from January 2011.