Preparing for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is not just about memorising the law — it’s about staying up to date with recent changes. The SRA has made it clear that candidates are assessed on the law as it stands four months before the exam sitting. This cut-off date applies to both SQE1 and SQE2, and it ensures that every candidate is tested on the same version of the law. The SRA publishes these cut-off dates alongside the official exam timetables, and it is vital that candidates preparing for the exam keep track of them.
We’ve made our SQE live lecture sessions both fun and affordable — you can join for just £25, and full access is already included in our SQE packages.
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This is where SQE live classes and SQE live lectures make all the difference. Instead of relying on outdated textbooks or second-hand notes, you can join sessions that are streamed online in real time, bringing you the latest SQE law updates. At the Academy of Smart Lawyers, we host regular SQE streamed lectures that focus on key topics highlighted by recent reforms and exam trends.
In our most recent SQE live lecture, led by Olga Pogrebennyk and Oliver Gray, we covered three core areas: inheritance tax reforms, anti-money laundering identification requirements, and professional conduct issues. Each of these areas links directly to SQE assessment criteria and demonstrates why attending a SQE lecture in real time can be a game-changer for candidates.
SQE Inheritance Tax Changes: From Domicile to Long-Term Residence
One of the headline topics in our latest SQE live class was the reform of UK inheritance tax. From 6 April 2025, the rules will change: instead of domicile determining whether worldwide assets fall into scope for UK inheritance tax, the test will now be based on long-term residence.
This shift has huge implications for anyone advising international clients. Previously, candidates only needed to understand the concept of domicile — already a tricky subject. Now, they must compare domicile with residence and apply the new long residency test.
In the SQE law updates session, Olga explained the principles behind this test, while Oliver demonstrated how it might be applied in exam-style questions. For example, a candidate might be asked to advise on whether an individual who lived in the UK for 12 out of the past 20 years is now subject to inheritance tax on overseas assets.
Although we touched briefly on the calculations for inheritance tax, the detailed worked examples will be reserved for future SQE live lectures. Still, even this high-level discussion showed why joining SQE streamed lectures is essential — you get exposure to new rules as they develop, long before most providers have updated their course materials.
📺 Want the full worked examples and detailed explanation? You can access the complete IHT session on the SUPERexam platform. Registration is free, and alongside this lecture, you’ll find further SQE law updates, past SQE live classes, and sample exam-style materials to sharpen your preparation.
Anti-Money Laundering: Identification and SARs
Another major topic covered in the SQE live lecture was the update to anti-money laundering regulations. Under the revised rules, solicitors are now required to collect not only a client’s name and address, but also their date of birth. This may sound like a small administrative change, but it has important consequences for compliance and exam preparation.
Why? Because exam questions often test your attention to detail. Missing one requirement — such as the client’s date of birth — could cost you marks.
Oliver also highlighted a bigger issue: the defence against money laundering through Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to the National Crime Agency. In the SQE live class, he explained how this process works and why candidates need to know not only the reporting obligation but also the strategic implications. These are exactly the types of issues that appear in SQE2 case and matter analysis or client interview scenarios.
📺 Interested in the full discussion? You can watch the complete breakdown of anti-money laundering updates — including worked examples and tutor Q&A — on the SUPERexam platform. Registration is free, and once inside you’ll also find additional SQE law updates and revision materials.
SQE Lectures on Professional Conduct
In this SQE live lecture, Olga and Oliver also revisited key areas of professional conduct and ethics. While there were no recent updates from the regulator, the session reinforced the importance of topics that frequently appear in the SQE2 skills assessments and underpin many SQE1 multiple-choice questions.
Covered areas included:
- Professional indemnity insurance and its role in protecting clients.
- The protected status of the term “solicitor” and its use.
- Practising certificates and what solicitors must do to remain compliant.
Professional conduct is a cornerstone of both SQE1 and SQE2. Many candidates underestimate how often it appears in client interviews, advocacy, and written tasks, where even a small ethical misstep can cost marks.
Why SQE Live Classes Are Essential
Some candidates rely solely on textbooks or pre-recorded videos. While those resources are useful, they quickly go out of date. SQE live classes solve this problem by ensuring you are always revising the most current version of the law.
Here are just a few reasons why SQE live lectures are so effective:
- They reflect the most recent SQE law updates, keeping your revision accurate.
- They provide examples of how new rules might be tested in the exam.
- They allow interaction with tutors who have passed the exam themselves.
- They simulate exam-style pressure and time management.
At the Academy of Smart Lawyers, we specialise in SQE streamed lectures that combine knowledge, application, and exam technique. Whether it’s inheritance tax, anti-money laundering, or professional conduct, our focus is always on helping you apply the law to realistic scenarios — exactly what the SQE demands.
📺 We provide free access to our professional conduct and ethics materials on the SUPERexam platform. Simply register (no fees required) to view this and other SQE law updates, past SQE live classes, and additional resources to strengthen your preparation.
Final Thoughts: SQE Law Updates
The SQE is about more than memorising rules. It’s about staying current, applying the law under pressure, and demonstrating professional judgment. That’s why SQE live classes and SQE live lectures are so valuable. They ensure you’re learning the right content at the right time — and in the right way.
By joining our SQE streamed lectures, you’ll always be one step ahead. Whether it’s understanding the new inheritance tax rules, mastering anti-money laundering procedures, or handling professional conduct dilemmas, our live sessions give you the tools to succeed.
We’ve made our SQE live lecture sessions both fun and affordable — you can join for just £25, and full access is already included in our SQE packages.
