Legal research (sample practice area Criminal Litigation)

Summary of question and answer

This sample question and discussion of answer is an example of a legal research assessment. This is a computer-based assessment.

You have 60 minutes to carry out the research and complete your written answer. Note that, while the subject matter of the research will be within the broad heading of the practice area in which the assessment is set, it may be outside the scope of the Functioning Legal Knowledge, thus requiring research.

You will be provided with sources for the legal research assessment. These may include both primary and secondary sources. Some of the sources provided may not be relevant.

Professionalism and ethics will be core parts of SQE2. Questions on ethics will be pervasive throughout SQE2. Ethical issues will not be flagged. You will need to identify any ethical and professional conduct issues and exercise judgement to resolve them honestly and with integrity.

Please note that the sample questions are provided to give an indication of the type of tasks that you could be set. They do not represent all the material that will be covered in SQE2. Future questions may not take exactly the same format.

For further detail see the SQE2 Assessment Specification.