Assessment topics

The SQE includes two assessments: SQE1 and SQE2.

SQE1 tests functioning legal knowledge (FLK). The exam has two parts - FLK1 and FLK2.

SQE2 assesses practical legal skills. It also has two parts: oral assessments and written assessments.

Learn more: Assessment information

SQE1

Coronavirus legislation update ahead of November 2021 SQE1

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the governments of England and Wales have introduced primary and secondary legislation which amends or relaxes existing legislation.

Candidates will NOT be assessed on any change to the law of England or Wales nor on the content of any other legal notices introduced in response to the coronavirus pandemic in the November 2021 SQE1 assessments. Assessment scenarios and characters in them should be treated as being unaffected by the coronavirus.

Due to the changing nature of such legislation and the potential for further changes prior to the November 2021 assessments, it is not possible to provide a definitive list of coronavirus legislation but further information is available at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Functioning Legal Knowledge

FLK includes the subject areas listed below. It is assessed by single best answer multiple choice questions over a two-day period. Ethics and Professional Conduct will be examined across FLK1 and FLK2.

FLK1

• Business Law and Practice
• Dispute Resolution
• Contract
• Tort
• Legal System of England and Wales
• Constitutional and Administrative Law and EU Law and Legal Services

FLK2

• Property Practice
• Wills and the Administration of Estates
• Solicitors Accounts
• Land Law
• Trusts
• Criminal Law and Practice

In order to pass SQE1, you must achieve the overall pass mark for both FLK1 and FLK2. You will not pass SQE1 if you fail either FLK1 or FLK2.

All aspects of the SQE1 assessment are compulsory.

Learn more: SQE1 assessment specification

SQE2

Practical Legal Skills Assessments

The assessment topics for SQE2 are listed below. The assessment is taken over five days and involves a combination of written and oral based tasks. Ethics and professional conduct are assessed throughout.

You are assessed on the following six skills:

• Client interview and attendance note/legal analysis
• Advocacy
• Case and matter analysis
• Legal research
• Legal writing
• Legal drafting

The practice areas in which these legal skills are assessed are:

• Criminal Litigation (including advising clients at the police station)
• Dispute Resolution
• Property Practice
• Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice
• Business organisations rules and procedures (including money laundering and financial services).

All aspects of the SQE2 assessment are compulsory.

Learn more: SQE2 assessment specification