CERTIFICADO DE ESPAÑOL LEGAL
Legal Spanish Language Certificate
What is Cerel.online?
Cerel.Online is a Legal Spanish Language Certificate. It proves that you can speak, read, understand and write well enough to deal with Spanish speaking lawyers.
Cerel.online is purely a Spanish language exam. It tests the language and vocabulary and not any legal advice that the candidate might give as part of the exam.
About us
Founded as a private language organisation set up by Daniel Cristiano and Liz Merchant.
Daniel Cristiano is trilingual Spanish, Italian and English. Qualified Argentine lawyer. Since leaving Argentina in 2002, where he practised law for 5 years, he has lived in Italy and the United Kingdom working as a Spanish teacher for various prestigious companies and colleges. Among them King’s College London, London Business School and University of Oxford. In addition he has delivered intense one-to-one language tuition to British Foreign Office Diplomats.
Liz Merchant is the founder of Succeed in Languages (SiL), a language company that has been operating in the UK since 1997. Liz has 37 years of experience in the industry both in the UK and LATAM.
SiL have been working with some of their clients since 1997. Succeed in Languages are members of the British Argentine Chamber of Commerce and the Society of British and Argentine Lawyers.
The Cerel.online test proves that candidates who pass it have a level of language that allows them to deal with Spanish speaking lawyers in a legal environment
EXAM FORMAT
The CEREL examination assesses four language skills through legal and professional Spanish. The examination lasts approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes in total.
The Reading, Listening and Writing components comprise eight tasks in total and are completed through a personal examination link sent by email on the published examination date. Candidates may start the examination at any time before 7 pm (London time) on the following Sunday. Once the examination has been started, candidates have 120 minutes to complete all eight tasks. The Speaking component is conducted separately through Zoom.
READING COMPREHENSION
40 minutes
This section consists of 30 questions based on three different texts:
- A piece of legislation from Spain or another Spanish-speaking country, followed by 10 multiple-choice questions with four options
- An extract from a contract, followed by 10 multiple-choice questions with four options
- A text containing business and/or legal language, with 10 gaps to complete by selecting the correct answer from four options
LISTENING COMPREHENSION
40 minutes
This section consists of 30 questions based on three different audio recordings:
- A short piece of legal advice, followed by 10 multiple-choice questions with four options
- A news report concerning a legal matter, followed by 10 statements to classify as True, False or Not Mentioned
- A conversation or commentary about a current legal issue, followed by 10 statements to classify as True, False or Not Mentioned
WRITING
40 minutes
Candidates complete two written tasks of between 120 and 180 words each:
Task 1: A letter
Task 2: A text based on information presented in a chart or graphic
SPEAKING
20 minutes
The speaking test will be conducted through Zoom with one examiner and it may be recorded. The candidate will be given a few 20-minute slots in advance to choose the one that is most convenient for them.
The whole test will be conducted in Spanish. This part is divided into two sections as it follows:
Part 1: Giving opinion and answering questions on a given subject. This part has a paragraph on the given subject to read as an input. (Total time of activity max 13 minutes, included 5 minutes for preparation)
Part 2: Presentation of a chart or graphics and answering questions accordingly. This part has an unexpected element; the chart or graphics. (Total time of the activity max 7 minutes)
SAMPLE CERTIFICATE
UPCOMING EXAM DATES
- 24 September 2026
- 3 December 2026
TOPICS
The examination may include legal and professional subjects such as:
• Current legal issues
• Family law
• Criminal law
• Energy and power distribution contracts
• Share purchase agreements
• Sale and purchase agreements
• Arbitration
• Administrative law
• Mergers and acquisitions
Familiarise yourself with the CEREL examination format and assess your current level of Legal Spanish before taking the official examination.
RESOURCES
Ready to Take the CEREL Examination?
Complete the form below to register your interest. We will contact you to confirm the available examination dates, payment arrangements and the next steps.
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