Glossary

A practical skill assessed in SQE2 where candidates represent a client in a simulated court or tribunal hearing, making oral submissions, examining witnesses, and presenting legal arguments before a judge.

A written record of a client meeting produced by the solicitor immediately after the appointment. In SQE2, candidates must draft an accurate and professionally structured attendance note following a client interview role-play.

A postgraduate vocational course for those wishing to qualify as barristers in England and Wales. BPTC graduates may cross-qualify as solicitors via the SQE route without needing to repeat the academic stage of legal training.

The process of recording and invoicing the time spent on client matters. In SQE2, candidates may be required to apply billing principles within a legal drafting or matter management context.

One of the Functioning Legal Knowledge areas tested in SQE1 FLK1. It covers company formation and structure, corporate transactions, partnerships, insolvency, and commercial contracts.

A written SQE2 assessment requiring candidates to analyse a factual scenario, identify the relevant legal issues, apply the applicable law, weigh competing arguments, and propose a reasoned course of action.

A practice area within Dispute Resolution tested in SQE1 FLK1. It covers pre-action protocols, the Civil Procedure Rules, court tracks, disclosure, witness evidence, and enforcement of judgments.

A formal letter sent to a client at the outset of a matter, setting out the solicitor’s terms of engagement, fee arrangements, and complaints procedure. Producing a client care letter may be assessed as part of SQE2 legal writing or drafting tasks.

A role-play assessment in SQE2 where the candidate meets an actor playing a client, gathers information about the client’s situation, identifies the key legal issues, and provides initial advice — all within a set time limit.

A subject area within Business Law and Practice tested in SQE1 FLK1. It covers the formation and constitution of companies, directors’ duties, share capital, corporate governance, and the rules governing meetings and resolutions.

A situation in which a solicitor’s duty to one client conflicts with their duty to another client or with their own personal interests. Conflict of interest rules form part of the SRA Code of Conduct and are tested throughout SQE1 and SQE2.

An FLK1 subject covering the sources of UK constitutional law, parliamentary sovereignty, the rule of law, judicial review, and the Human Rights Act 1998

A core FLK1 subject covering offer and acceptance, consideration, terms, exclusion clauses, breach, remedies, and frustration. Contract principles also underpin many SQE2 scenarios across different practice areas.

The legal process of transferring ownership of land or property from one party to another. Tested under Property Practice in SQE1 FLK2 and as a context for SQE2 skills tasks.

An FLK2 subject covering the elements of criminal offences, defences, the criminal courts structure, bail, disclosure, sentencing principles, and the rights of the defendant.

A questioning technique used in court proceedings where counsel challenges a witness’s evidence. Advocacy training at Superexam includes dedicated cross-examination coaching for SQE2 and Higher Rights of Audience preparation.

The process by which parties to litigation exchange relevant documents before trial. Standard and extended disclosure rules under the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) are tested in the Dispute Resolution module of SQE1 FLK1.

A core SQE1 FLK1 subject covering civil litigation procedure, alternative dispute resolution methods (mediation, arbitration, negotiation), pre-action protocols, and the role of the courts.

A fundamental professional obligation requiring solicitors to keep all information about a client’s matter private, both during and after the retainer. This duty is subject to limited exceptions and is tested throughout both SQE stages.

An SQE1 FLK1 subject covering the creation and administration of express, resulting, and constructive trusts, equitable remedies, fiduciary duties, and the relationship between legal and beneficial ownership.

An international treaty protecting fundamental rights and freedoms. Its provisions were incorporated into domestic law by the Human Rights Act 1998 and are assessed within Constitutional and Administrative Law in SQE1 FLK1.

Partial waivers from one or more SQE assessments granted by the SRA to candidates who can demonstrate equivalent prior learning or qualification. Solicitors qualified in other jurisdictions and LPC graduates may be eligible for exemptions.

A legal obligation to act in the best interests of another party. Solicitors owe fiduciary duties to their clients, and this concept is assessed in both the Equity and Trusts and Professional Conduct modules of SQE1.

The first of two written papers in SQE1, consisting of 180 single-best-answer multiple-choice questions. FLK1 covers Business Law and Practice, Dispute Resolution, Contract Law, Tort, the Legal System, and Constitutional and Administrative Law.

The second SQE1 written paper, also consisting of 180 multiple-choice questions. FLK2 covers Property Practice, Wills and Intestacy, Tax, Trusts and Probate, Criminal Law and Practice, and Solicitors Accounts.

The term used by the SRA to describe the body of substantive legal knowledge tested in SQE1. FLK is assessed across two papers (FLK1 and FLK2) through single-best-answer multiple-choice questions.

A one-year conversion course enabling non-law graduates to satisfy the academic stage of legal training. GDL holders can then proceed directly to SQE preparation without completing a full law degree.

An additional qualification that allows solicitors to advocate in the higher courts of England and Wales, including the Crown Court and above. Superexam offers dedicated HRA preparation alongside SQE training.

The legislation that incorporated ECHR rights into UK domestic law, allowing individuals to rely on Convention rights in UK courts. Tested within Constitutional and Administrative Law in SQE1 FLK1.

An equitable remedy requiring a party to do or refrain from doing a specific act. Injunctions — including interim injunctions — are assessed in both the Equity and Trusts and Dispute Resolution modules of SQE1.

The state in which an individual or company is unable to pay debts as they fall due. Corporate and personal insolvency rules are tested within Business Law and Practice in SQE1 FLK1.

A procedure by which the High Court supervises the lawfulness of decisions made by public bodies. Judicial review procedure and grounds are assessed within Constitutional and Administrative Law in SQE1 FLK1.

The area of law governing ownership, interests, and dealings in land. Land Law principles underpin the Property Practice module tested in SQE1 FLK2 and also arise in SQE2 practical tasks.

An SQE2 written assessment requiring candidates to identify the precise legal issue arising from a factual scenario, state the applicable law accurately, and apply it to reach a reasoned conclusion.

The skill of producing formal legal documents — such as contracts, letters before action, court pleadings, or trust deeds — in clear, accurate, and appropriately structured language. Assessed as a written SQE2 task.

The specialised register of English used in legal practice and documentation. Superexam offers a dedicated Legal English course for international candidates preparing for the SQE whose first language is not English.

Legal professionals qualified through the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. CILEx fellows may be eligible for SQE exemptions if they meet the SRA’s requirements for equivalent prior learning.

An SQE2 written task requiring candidates to identify the legal question presented in a scenario, locate the relevant primary sources of law, and produce a structured written research note applying those sources to the facts.

An FLK1 subject covering the sources of law, court hierarchy, doctrine of precedent (stare decisis), statutory interpretation, and the role of the legal professions.

An SQE2 written assessment testing the ability to communicate legal advice clearly and professionally — typically in the form of a letter to a client, a letter to a third party, or a legal memorandum.

An undergraduate law degree that satisfies the academic stage of legal training in England and Wales. LLB graduates can proceed directly to SQE preparation without completing a GDL conversion course.

A postgraduate law degree. While an LLM does not automatically exempt a candidate from the SQE, LLM holders may apply to the SRA for exemptions based on the content of their studies.

The postgraduate vocational course that was the primary route to solicitor qualification before the SQE. LPC graduates may claim exemptions from SQE1 or SQE2 assessments, subject to SRA approval.

The lower criminal court where summary and some either-way offences are heard. The jurisdiction, procedure, and sentencing powers of the Magistrates’ Court are tested within Criminal Law and Practice in SQE1 FLK2.

The detailed criteria used by SQE assessors to evaluate candidate performance in SQE2 skills tasks. Mark schemes are aligned to the threshold standard and are not published publicly but are reflected in the SRA’s assessment specifications.

The knowledge assessment used in the former QLTS route to test substantive legal knowledge. The MCT has been replaced by the SQE1 FLK1 and FLK2 papers, which use a similar single-best-answer MCQ format

A form of alternative dispute resolution in which a neutral third party facilitates negotiation between disputing parties. Mediation is assessed as part of the Dispute Resolution module in SQE1 FLK1.

An evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of a client’s legal position, including an assessment of the prospects of success in litigation or a transaction. Required as part of several SQE2 written and oral tasks.

A practice assessment that replicates the format, timing, and difficulty level of the actual SQE exams. Superexam provides SQE1 and SQE2 mock exams as a core element of its preparation methodology.

A tort requiring proof of a duty of care, breach of that duty, and resulting damage. The law of negligence — including professional negligence — is assessed within the Tort module of SQE1 FLK1.

A method of resolving disputes or completing transactions through direct discussion between the parties or their representatives. Negotiation is one of the alternative dispute resolution methods tested in SQE1 and practised in SQE2 preparation.

A legally qualified professional authorised to authenticate documents for use in foreign jurisdictions. Notaries are distinct from solicitors and are not assessed in the SQE, but candidates may encounter the role in international client scenarios.

Superexam’s proprietary preparation methodology for SQE2 skills assessments, developed from techniques originally used in medical OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) training and adapted for legal professional skills development.

A formal document setting out the claimant’s case in civil litigation proceedings, including the facts relied upon, the legal basis of the claim, and the remedy sought. Drafting particulars of claim may be assessed in SQE2.

The score required to pass SQE1 or SQE2 assessments. The SRA does not publish a fixed numerical pass mark; instead, the pass standard is set by a panel of assessors applying the threshold standard to each assessment sitting.

A template or standard-form legal document used as the basis for drafting in practice. In SQE2 legal drafting tasks, candidates are not provided with precedents and must produce documents from scratch.

The formal legal process of proving the validity of a will and administering the estate of a deceased person. Probate law and procedure form part of the Wills, Intestacy, Probate and Administration subject area in SQE1 FLK2.

The rules and principles governing solicitor behaviour, primarily set out in the SRA Standards and Regulations. Ethical scenarios and professional conduct obligations are embedded in both SQE1 and SQE2 assessments.

A core SQE1 FLK2 subject covering residential and commercial conveyancing, registered and unregistered land, landlord and tenant law, and property financing.

A training course previously required for trainee solicitors under the LPC route, covering advocacy, writing, drafting, and client management. The skills formerly assessed in the PSC are now integrated into SQE2.

The former qualification route allowing overseas-qualified lawyers to become solicitors in England and Wales through the MCT and OSCE assessments. The QLTS was replaced by the SQE in September 2021.

A mandatory requirement of two years of substantive legal work experience that must be completed alongside or before the SQE assessments. QWE can be accumulated across up to four different organisations and does not need to be with a law firm.

Modifications to SQE assessment conditions provided to candidates with disabilities or specific learning difficulties, such as additional time, a separate room, or assistive technology. Applications must be made to Kaplan (the SQE assessment centre) in advance.

The forms of relief available to a successful claimant in civil proceedings, including damages, injunctions, specific performance, and rescission. Remedies are assessed across multiple SQE1 subject areas including Contract Law, Tort, and Equity.

Under SRA rules, there is no cap on the number of times a candidate may resit SQE1 or SQE2. Each resit must be booked and paid for separately, and candidates may sit the two stages in any order.

The official register of qualified solicitors maintained by the SRA. A candidate is admitted to the roll and can practise as a solicitor in England and Wales only after passing both SQE stages and completing the required QWE.

The process by which a court determines the appropriate punishment for a convicted defendant. Sentencing principles, guidelines, and the powers of different courts are tested within Criminal Law and Practice in SQE1 FLK2.

The multiple-choice question format used in SQE1. Each question presents a legal scenario followed by five answer options, and candidates must select the single most correct answer. There is no negative marking.

A qualified legal professional admitted to the Roll of Solicitors maintained by the SRA, entitled to provide legal advice and represent clients in legal proceedings in England and Wales.

A route to qualification as a solicitor that combines work-based learning with academic study, allowing candidates to complete their degree and QWE simultaneously while being employed by a law firm.

Rules governing how solicitors must handle client money, including requirements for separate client accounts, the prohibition on mixing client and office funds, and record-keeping obligations. Tested in SQE1 FLK2.

The independent regulatory body for solicitors in England and Wales. The SRA designed the SQE, sets the threshold standard, appoints Kaplan as the assessment centre, and maintains the Roll of Solicitors.

An equitable remedy requiring a party to perform their contractual obligations, typically ordered where damages would be an inadequate remedy (most commonly in contracts for the sale of land). Tested in Contract Law and Equity modules of SQE1.

The centralised qualification assessment introduced by the SRA in September 2021, replacing the LPC and QLTS as the route to becoming a solicitor in England and Wales. It consists of SQE1 (knowledge) and SQE2 (skills) stages.

The first stage of the SQE, consisting of two written papers (FLK1 and FLK2), each containing 180 single-best-answer multiple-choice questions. SQE1 assesses Functioning Legal Knowledge across all core areas of English law.

The second stage of the SQE, assessing five legal skills — client interview and attendance note, advocacy, legal research, legal writing, and legal drafting — through a combination of role-plays and written tasks.

The doctrine of precedent, requiring courts to follow the decisions of higher courts in the same hierarchy. Stare decisis is a core concept within the Legal System module of SQE1 FLK1.

A declaration signed by a party or their representative confirming that the contents of a document are true to the best of their knowledge and belief. Required on statements of case and witness statements in civil litigation.

The methods used by courts to determine the meaning of legislation, including the literal, golden, and mischief rules, as well as the purposive approach. Tested within the Legal System subject area of SQE1 FLK1.

The Taxation module in SQE1 FLK2 covers income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, stamp duty land tax, and VAT — focusing on their application in the context of property transactions, wills, and business dealings.

The minimum level of competence a newly qualified solicitor must demonstrate to pass the SQE. Pass marks are set by assessors applying the threshold standard to each sitting, meaning the pass mark may vary slightly between sittings.

An area of civil law covering civil wrongs, including negligence, occupiers’ liability, nuisance, the rule in Rylands v Fletcher, and defamation. Tort is assessed as a standalone subject in SQE1 FLK1.

The two-year period of supervised practice that was the traditional route to solicitor qualification under the LPC system. Training contracts have been replaced by the more flexible QWE requirement under the SQE regime.

A legal arrangement in which one person (the trustee) holds property for the benefit of another (the beneficiary). The law of trusts is assessed within Equity and Trusts in SQE1 FLK1 and arises in Probate and Tax scenarios in FLK2.

A remedy available to minority shareholders who have been treated unfairly by those in control of a company. Tested within Company Law under the Business Law and Practice module of SQE1 FLK1.

The principle by which an employer can be held responsible for the tortious acts of an employee committed in the course of employment. Tested within the Tort module of SQE1 FLK1.

A key SQE1 FLK2 subject covering the formal requirements for a valid will, the rules of intestate succession, family provision claims, construction of wills, and the administration of estates.

A legal privilege that protects communications made in a genuine attempt to settle a dispute from being disclosed or used as evidence in court proceedings. The without prejudice rule is assessed in the Dispute Resolution module of SQE1 FLK1.

A written document setting out the evidence a witness will give at trial. Drafting and evaluating witness statements is relevant to Civil Litigation in SQE1 and may feature in SQE2 written tasks and advocacy preparation.

The criteria applied by SQE2 assessors when marking written tasks, including accuracy of legal content, structure and presentation, appropriate use of language, and compliance with professional obligations.