Annex 3 – Assessment Objectives and Statement of Solicitor Competence mapping

Assessment objectives

The competences candidates must demonstrate in applying their knowledge of the law are indicated below, cross-referencing with the Statement of Solicitor Competence.

Subject area Assessment Objectives Coverage of SoSC
Business Law and Practice Starting a new business through the vehicle of a company, partnership, LLP or as a sole trader A1, A4, A5, B3, B7, D2, D3
The management of a business and company decision making to ensure compliance with statutory and other legal requirements A1, A4, A5, B3, B7, D2, D3
The interests, rights, obligations and powers of stakeholders in a business A1, A4, A5, B3, B7, D2, D3
Financing a business A1, A4, A5, B3, B7, D2, D3
Taxation of a business and its stakeholders A1, A4, A5, B3, B7, D2, D3
The termination of a solvent business, corporate insolvency and personal bankruptcy A1, A4, A5, B3, B7, D2, D3
Dispute Resolution Analysis of merits of claim or defence A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
Arbitration, mediation and litigation as an appropriate mechanism to resolve a dispute A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
Pre-action considerations and steps A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
Commencing, responding to or progressing a claim A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
Case management and any interim applications relevant to a claim A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
The evidence needed and disclosure steps required in commencing, responding to, progressing or defending a claim A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
Preparation of a case for a trial, the trial and any post trial steps A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
Procedures and processes relevant to costs involved in dispute resolution A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
Contract Law Existence/formation of a contract; contents of a contract; causation and remoteness; vitiating elements; discharge of contract and remedies; unjust enrichment A4, A5, B3
Tort Negligence; remedies and defences; Occupiers’ liability; Product liability; Nuisance and the rule in Rylands v Fletcher A4, A5, B3
The Legal System of England and Wales, Constitutional and Administrative Law and EU law, and Legal Services The Legal System of England and Wales and Sources of law A4, A5, B3, B7
Constitutional and Administrative Law and EU law A1, A4, B3, B7
Legal services A1, A4, A5, B3, B7, D2, D3
Ethics and Professional Conduct The purpose, scope and content of the SRA Principles. The purpose, scope and content of the SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors, RELs and RFLs and the SRA Code of Conduct for Firms in relation to managers in authorised firms and compliance officers A1
Property Law and Practice The key elements of a freehold and/or leasehold residential or commercial property transaction A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
Investigation of a registered or an unregistered freehold and/or leasehold title A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
Pre-contract searches and enquiries undertaken when acquiring a freehold and/or leasehold property A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
Steps in progressing a freehold and/or leasehold property transaction to exchange of contracts A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
Pre-completion steps relevant to a freehold and/or leasehold property transaction A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
Completion and post-completion steps relevant to a freehold and/or leasehold property transaction including remedies for delayed completion A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
The grant and the assignment of a commercial lease and/or underlease A4, A5, B3, B7
The key lease covenants in a commercial lease and the law relating to their breach A4, A5, B3, B7
Security of tenure under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 Part II A4, A5, B3, B7
Taxation of property transactions through Stamp Duty Land Tax, Land Transaction Tax, Value Added Tax and Capital Gains Tax A1, A4, A5, B3, B7, D2, D3
Wills and the Administration of Estates The validity of a will and interpretation of the contents of a will. The distribution of testate, intestate and partially intestate estates A1, A4, A5
The law and practice in connection with an application for a grant of representation A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
The law and practice of Inheritance Tax in the context of lifetime gifts and transfers on death A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
The planning, management and progression of the administration of an estate including claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
The law and practice relating to personal representatives and trustees in the administration of estates and consequent trusts. The rights, powers and remedies of beneficiaries of wills and consequent trusts A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
Solicitors Accounts Transactions involving client money and money belonging to the authorised body; operation of ledgers and bank accounts; the payment of interest; breaches of the SRA Accounts Rules; accounting entries required, bills, obtaining and delivery of accountants’ reports; obligations regarding record-keeping A1, A4, A5
Land Law Registered and unregistered land; freehold and leasehold estates, and legal and equitable interests in land; Landlord and tenant; co-ownership A4, A5, B3
Trusts Law Express and implied trusts; the fiduciary relationship; trustees’ duties, powers and liability; equitable remedies A4, A5, B3
Criminal Liability and Criminal Law and Practice The core principles of criminal liability, including actus reus and mens rea, specific and general defences, and participation A4, A5, B3
The law, procedure and processes involved in advising a client at the police station A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
The law, procedure and processes involved in pre-trial considerations A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
The law, procedure and processes involved to meet the client’s objectives A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
The law, procedure and processes involved in magistrates’ court and Crown Court trials, including sentencing and appeals A1, A4, A5, B3, B7
Ethics and Professional Conduct The purpose, scope and content of the SRA Principles. The purpose, scope and content of the SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors, RELs and RFLs and the SRA Code of Conduct for Firms in relation to managers in authorised firms and compliance officers A1
Annex 4 - Functioning Legal Knowledge blueprint 

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