SQE1 sample questions

Question 89

A non-governmental organisation (NGO) was created under statute with responsibilities for providing free after-school activities for children of single parent working families from the most economically deprived cities in the UK.

It relies on central government for the bulk of its funding. Spending cuts in last year’s budget forced the NGO to significantly reduce the scope of its after-school activities. Seven months ago, it wrote to the parents of several children explaining that it would no longer be able to provide any after-school care for their children. It did not explain its decision beyond saying that the needs of some families were greater than others.

The parents have just applied to the High Court for permission to proceed to a full judicial review of the NGO’s decision but the High Court has refused the application.

Which of the following reasons would best justify this refusal?

A. The NGO has responsibility for allocating limited resources and its decisions cannot be judicially reviewed.

B. The parents should sue the NGO for breach of contract instead.

C. The NGO is not part of the executive and as such is not a public body.

D. The parents have not applied as soon as possible or within three months of the decision.

E. The parents have no obvious substantive grounds on which to argue that the NGO has acted unlawfully.


D - The parents have not applied as soon as possible or within three months of the decision.

Candidates who answered correctly: 60%


Ready to register for the SQE?

Create your personal SQE account and book your assessments.

Register for SQE 

Have you passed the SQE?

Find out what happens after passing the SQE and admission to the roll of solicitors.

Learn more

Ready to register for the SQE?

Create your personal SQE account and book your assessments.

Register for SQE 

Have you passed the SQE?

Find out what happens after passing the SQE and admission to the roll of solicitors.

Learn more about Have you passed the SQE?