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 is conducted entirely in Spanish through Zoom with one examiner and may be recorded. Candidates will be offered several 20 minute time slots in advance and must select the most convenient available slot.
The test consists of two parts:
Part 1: Presentation and discussion of a legal subject
The candidate will receive a short paragraph introducing a legal or professional subject and will have five minutes to read it and prepare.
The candidate will then speak about the subject for approximately four minutes, presenting and developing their ideas. This will be followed by approximately four minutes of questions and discussion with the examiner.
The maximum duration of Part 1 is 13 minutes, including the five minutes of preparation.
Part 2: Presentation and discussion of graphic information
The candidate will be shown a chart or graphic without prior preparation. They will describe and interpret the information, compare the principal figures and present relevant conclusions. The examiner will then ask questions relating to the information presented.
The maximum duration of Part 2 is seven 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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