Interviewer: Annie, once again, huge congratulations on passing the SQE exam.
Annie: Thank you very much, Irene. I don’t think I could have passed the exam without your help, especially with the interview skills.
Interviewer: That’s kind of you to say. So, what’s next? How has this achievement changed your life, and what are your plans for the near future?
Annie: Actually, I’m a senior partner at a large law firm in China, and I have many clients involved in cross-border transactions. Now that I’m qualified as a solicitor, I think I can support them even better with these transactions – and perhaps expand my client base.
Interviewer: Is it common at your firm for partners to be qualified as solicitors in England and Wales, or are you in the minority?
Annie: I’m definitely in the minority. According to the latest data, there are 700,000 lawyers in China, and we have a group chat on WeChat for lawyers qualified in both China and England and Wales. But there are only 106 members in that group chat.
Interviewer: You’re an exception, which shows that your knowledge is exceptional and perhaps your fighting spirit is too. Of course, your experience of working in a different jurisdiction contributes as well. But why do you think there’s such a vast difference between these two systems? Do you think that the process of qualifying in the UK is very different from that in China?
Annie: I think the legal systems in England and China are fundamentally different, as is the education in both countries. I earned my bachelor’s degree in China and my master’s degree in Australia, so I do have some background in the English legal system. However, when I was preparing for the UK assessments, I found it so, so challenging – especially because I work full-time. The knowledge of Chinese law and UK law seemed to be battling in my head. You have to set aside one set of rules and remember the other at certain times. It’s genuinely difficult, and I think it’s particularly challenging for Chinese lawyers preparing for the UK qualification.
Interviewer: I see. So you faced two major challenges in your preparation. First, there were the differences in jurisdiction, knowledge, and experience. And then there were differences in the practical aspects and exam requirements.
Annie: It was a completely different experience because the Chinese bar exam, the Chinese lawyer’s assessment, is structured very differently. It’s a two-day assessment, and it’s entirely written. You do multiple-choice questions and write responses, but it’s only paperwork. In contrast, the SQE was a five-day assessment for SQE2 and two days for SQE1 – it was a very different approach.
Interviewer: You initially started qualifying through the QLTS route, right? Then you transitioned to the SQE. You were in the last cohort allowed to make that transition. Did that add extra pressure for you, knowing it was your last opportunity?
Annie: I think so, yes, because it truly was my last chance. I started preparing for the MCT in 2019, and then in 2020, COVID-19 happened. We couldn’t travel abroad for three years, and finally, by 2023, I had one final opportunity. If I had failed, I might never have been able to attempt SQE1 from the beginning.
Interviewer: I see. To gain new legal knowledge, you first pursued a master’s degree in Australia. For the SQE2, did you also study using law books? How did you prepare for the practical components of the assessment? What resources helped you master the exam methodology and develop practical skills?
Annie: From a candidate’s perspective, I think there are two key parts to SQE2: the law itself and the practical skills. For the law, it’s essential to read the books thoroughly. Then there are the notes – the ones you provided – which are incredibly helpful. You can’t remember everything from the books, but once you have the basic knowledge, the notes bring it all back. They’re really useful for reinforcing the material and helping me retain the information.
Interviewer: The notes you’re referring to are Synopsis notes, right? They’re concise, visual, and easy to remember, with mnemonics to aid memory.
Annie: Exactly. But it was challenging to get through the books – they’re dense and contain a lot of material. Still, I think it’s crucial to push yourself to read them because a solid understanding of the law is fundamental.
Interviewer: So, you wouldn’t advise preparing for SQE2 solely by using Synopsis notes or condensed materials?
Annie: No, I don’t think that’s sufficient. I actually added a lot of my own notes to the ones you provided, which helped deepen my understanding.
Interviewer: And that’s exactly what we advise – taking readymade notes won’t work if you don’t put in your own effort. I also remember that you were very dedicated to doing as many SQE2 mocks as you could with us. You were practising written mocks, oral mocks, interviews, advocacy, legal drafting, writing, research, everything, even attendance notes, right? Did you find that helpful? How important was that in your preparation?
Annie: I think it was incredibly helpful. I would recommend every candidate to book as many mocks as possible. Especially for the interview practice – I remember my first and second attempts were really challenging. As a Chinese lawyer and candidate, I wasn’t used to this kind of exercise in preparing for any legal assessment or exam. We’re not trained on how to conduct a client interview, especially within a strict 30-minute timeframe.
Interviewer: Right, especially when time is so limited.
Annie: Yes, if you’re familiar with the topic, you’re lucky. But I remember the property interview being a total disaster because it was nothing like what anyone expected. The client just sat in front of me, and I had no idea how to engage with her since I didn’t have much knowledge on the topic. The only information I had was in the email the partner had sent us. In that moment, all the skills I’d learned from mock sessions kicked in. I relied on standard questions – asking her for more details, checking if there was anything she thought I should know, or if there was anything else she wanted to share. I thought I did terribly in the assessment, but when I saw my marks, I’d actually scored highly in the skills. It was a real eye-opener. I don’t think anyone can gain those SQE2 skills without doing mocks.
Interviewer: What about written mocks? In an oral mock, you interact with a client during an interview or with another solicitor in an advocacy session. But in written mocks, you don’t see your interlocutor, you don’t see the other side. How was that experience for you?
Annie: You receive feedback for every SQE2 written mock, and that feedback is really helpful. Your mocks are a bit more challenging than the actual assessment, which I think prepares you even better.
Interviewer: You find the actual assessment easier compared to ours? But maybe that’s because you didn’t know what to expect when you were doing those mocks with OSCEsmart (now the Academy of Smart Lawyers). But once you came to the SQE2 you already knew what to expect. So this element of surprise was no longer there.
Annie: I remember doing case and matter analysis in civil law, there was something that I think it’s not obvious, and I do not need to write that down in the answer because I think it’s not relevant, or I used some other expression in my own words to write that down in my answer. Then I got a feedback from one of your tutors. She told me that you put anything relevant down in the answer to demonstrate that you know the law. And then you use the exact same words of the quoted in the law. Do not use your own words. If you use your own words in the answer, you may not score because they may think that you do not understand this legal point. So I think this really helped me in written assessment because I put anything relevant in the written assessment and I used the same words of the quoted in the CPR. So I think this really helped me. If I do not book the written marks and if I do not know the skills, I may not get the score, I think.
Interviewer: That’s very kind to say so, yes. But also considering how much effort you invested in your SQE2 preparation. I think that you totally deserve the good grade that you got and also confidence which it took with you to the exam. Now, how about your writing after the exam, do you think that some of the skills that you have learned when working, when preparing with OSCEsmart (now the Academy of Smart Lawyers), that they can be handy, can be helpful in your day-to-day professional practise? Or is this something that you don’t think you need in your work?
Annie: When I was preparing for the assessment, I kept telling myself that it wouldn’t matter if I eventually failed because I’d already learned so much, both in law and in practical skills. I think that perspective really helped me. I’m not sure if other candidates have mentioned this to you, but I realised something important: Chinese lawyers often write very sophisticated letters or emails to clients, aiming to show off their skills and expertise. But from the client’s perspective, it can be hard to understand. During my preparation, I learned not to use legal jargon with clients. Instead, I focused on explaining things in simple terms that anyone could understand. This approach actually helps us serve clients better. I’ve taken this into my daily work, encouraging my team and my fellow lawyers to communicate in a way the client will understand. You don’t need to sound overly sophisticated to show your skills. If you can help the client, you’re a good lawyer.
Interviewer: Absolutely, that’s a fantastic takeaway from all your preparation. This formal, elaborate style of communication is deeply rooted in many cultures and languages. But recently, in English, there’s been a shift toward using “plain English,” which emphasises clarity over authority. This approach avoids wasting the client’s time and focuses on being genuinely helpful and clear, in a way the client can easily understand. That’s such a valuable insight. Shifting back to the SQE, Annie – were there any particular surprises in the exam? Perhaps something in your results or a specific assessment that caught you off guard?
Annie: Yes, actually. In criminal drafting, I thought I had prepared thoroughly and written down everything I knew. But when I saw my results, my score was lower than I expected – not really low, but lower than I had hoped.
Interviewer: Really? So that surprised you?
Annie: Yes, I’m not quite sure why. But I also realised that it doesn’t matter if you don’t score well in one assessment, because there are multiple parts to the exam. If your average score is high enough, you’ll still pass. So don’t get discouraged if one section doesn’t go as well as planned.
Interviewer: I’m sure the audience watching this video will appreciate that you want to do your best in each assessment. You’re absolutely right. But if things don’t go as planned for some reason, don’t worry – just don’t give up.
Annie: One of my friends took the SQE2 assessment in May last year. He didn’t know how to use the system during the written assessment, specifically for the case analysis in civil law, so he couldn’t finish that section. That night, he texted me saying he wanted to give up because he felt he hadn’t completed the assessment. But he went ahead and completed all the assessments. When he received his results in August, he found out he had still passed. I really want to tell all the candidates that if you don’t perform well in one or two assessments, it doesn’t matter. It really doesn’t matter.
Interviewer: Do you think doing all those SQE2 mock exams was necessary, or could you have done just one or two and called it a day? Was it helpful to have so many?
Annie: If I were starting to prepare for the exam now, I would book as many mocks as possible.
Interviewer: How about timing? I remember you did most of your mocks very close to the exam date. If you were to do it again, would you approach it the same way? Was it helpful, or do you have different thoughts on timing now?
Annie: If I were to do it again, I think I would book the SQE2 1-to-1 mocks about two months in advance. Last time, I booked all of them within just one month. At the time, I thought if I didn’t know the law well enough and booked the mocks, I’d waste them because I wouldn’t know how to answer the questions properly. Looking back, I’m not sure that was the right mindset. Candidates don’t need to rush to finish the assessments within a set time in the mocks. You should just do your best because it’s not the real exam. The key is to complete the mock and get feedback; that’s the most valuable part. It doesn’t matter if it takes you 50 minutes or an hour and a half. You only get one or two chances to do a SQE mock, so you don’t need to feel overly prepared beforehand. The feedback you get will help you improve your skills and better understand the law.
Interviewer: That aligns well with our approach to preparing candidates for SQE2. We believe these practical mocks are valuable not only for skill-building but also for deepening your knowledge and learning from feedback. Analysing each piece of feedback can be really guiding.
Annie: Absolutely. After finishing all the mocks, I went back and read the feedback two to three times. Each time, I would think about how I could have improved, and I wished I had started doing that earlier. If I were to prepare again, I would set aside four months for SQE2. I’d dedicate the first two months to studying books and notes, and then use the last two months for SQE2 mock sessions and practice.
Interviewer: Do you think you had an advantage over other candidates who took the exam with you? Do you know any other lawyers from China who were also taking the exam but weren’t as successful as you?
Annie: Actually, I know many lawyers who are preparing for or have planned to take the assessment, but only five of them have successfully passed. The daily work for lawyers is already very stressful, and the SQE requires a lot of dedicated preparation time. It’s so different from our daily tasks, and it’s much more challenging in many ways.
Interviewer: It sounds like a tremendous amount of hard work, and that’s why we truly admire your effort and dedication. We hope that all of your colleagues who are planning to sit the SQE2 exam will succeed, and we’ll do our best to support them at our Academy.
