The Solicitor Qualification Exam (SQE) is a centralised assessment introduced in England and Wales to standardise the process of becoming a solicitor. Here’s an overview of the key components and areas covered in the SQE exams, which is divided into two stages: SQE1 and SQE2.

SQE1 Exam

SQE exam primarily tests legal knowledge through multiple-choice questions. It is divided into two SQE exams, each focusing on different areas of law.

1. Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK)

This is the core of SQE1, and it covers a wide range of legal topics. The following areas are tested:

Business Law and Practice: Company formation, structure, directors’ duties, insolvency, contracts, and financing.

Contract Law: Essential principles, breach, remedies, and interpretation of contracts.

Tort Law: Duty of care, negligence, nuisance, vicarious liability, and remedies.

Property Law: Freehold and leasehold estates, interests in land, covenants, and easements.

Wills and Administration of Estates: Intestacy rules, validity of wills, grants of probate.

Criminal Law: Offences (theft, assault, fraud), defenses, criminal proceedings.

Constitutional and Administrative Law: Judicial review, human rights, public law.

EU Law: Impact on UK law post-Brexit, directives, regulations.

Ethics and Professional Conduct: Code of conduct, client confidentiality, conflicts of interest.

2. Question Style

Single Best Answer Questions (SBAQs), where candidates must choose the best answer from five options.

This stage assesses practical legal knowledge and understanding of day-to-day tasks a solicitor would perform.

SQE2 Exam

SQE2 exam tests practical skills through tasks that simulate real-life scenarios a solicitor would face. This stage is focused on assessing legal skills rather than knowledge alone.

1. Skills Assessed

Client Interviewing: Engaging with clients, asking relevant questions, and offering advice.

Advocacy: Presenting cases in court, responding to judicial questions.

Legal Writing: Drafting legal documents like advice, memos, and reports.

Legal Drafting: Writing formal legal documents like contracts, wills, and pleadings.

Legal Research: Analysing and applying laws to specific situations.

Case and Matter Analysis: Applying law to case facts, identifying relevant issues.

2. Areas of Practice

The practical tasks are drawn from various legal practice areas:

• Criminal litigation

• Civil litigation

• Property law and conveyancing

• Wills and probate

• Business law

• Professional conduct

Study Tips for the SQE exam

1. Understand Core Legal Principles: Since SQE1 is knowledge-focused, mastering the legal topics is critical.

2. Practice Multiple-Choice Questions: Practising SBAQs will familiarise you with the exam’s style.

3. Revise Ethical Standards: Professional conduct is heavily tested in both SQE1 and SQE2.

4. Develop Practical Skills: For SQE2, focus on real-world legal scenarios, honing your interviewing, advocacy, and drafting skills.

5. Mock Exams: Taking mock exams can help with time management and improve familiarity with the exam format.

6. Legal Research: Make sure you're proficient with legal research tools, as they are crucial for SQE2.

7. Ethical Dilemmas: Be prepared to deal with situations where ethical decision-making is tested.

Key Resources for SQE Exam

SEQ Notes and Law Textbooks: Essential for understanding core legal principles FLK1 and FLK2 by City Law tutors..

SQE Prep Courses: Providers like BARBRI, Kaplan, and QLTS offer structured study plans.

Practice Questions: Find sample SBAQs for SQE1 and simulated practical scenarios for SQE2.

Good preparation is key to navigating the SQE successfully, and a balanced approach of legal knowledge and practical skills is crucial for passing both stages.