Case and Matter Analysis (CMA) is a written SQE2 assessment where aspiring solicitors must analyse a legal matter or case and produce a structured note for a partner or senior colleague. Unlike SQE2 Legal Writing or Attendance Note, CMA demands a higher standard of legal advice, making it one of the most difficult SQE2 assessments. Candidates must demonstrate strong analytical skills, a clear understanding of legal principles, and the ability to apply them effectively to complex scenarios.
1-to-1 CMA Coaching – Tailored to Your Needs
We offer 1-to-1 coaching for CMA across all practice areas, giving you flexibility in choosing:
Date & Time that suits your schedule
✔️ Practice Area relevant to your training
✔️ Tutor experienced in your chosen area
Case and matter analysis is somewhat unique in the SQE as there is no equivalent assessment in the QLTS (the scheme for foreign-qualified lawyers to qualify in England and Wales), while most of the rest of the SQE assessments are directly based on the QLTS assessments. It is also not a core module of the LPC under the old qualification route.
This means that there is no historical knowledge or direct experience to draw upon to prepare for the case and matter analysis exam.
SQE2 case and matter analysis does, however, reflect skills tested in prior QLTS OSCE assessments and other SQE stations. We have harnessed our extensive experience with helping solicitors through the OSCE assessments and the specifications provided by the SRA for this SQE station to design a comprehensive approach to help SQE candidates prepare for this novel assessment through our unique Superexam platform.
SQE Case and Matter Analysis Assessment
The SQE2 written assessments are conducted over three half-days, and include three case and matter analysis exercises covering the following practice areas:
- Day 1: Dispute Resolution or Criminal Litigation
- Day 2: Property Practice or Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice
- Day 3: Business Organisations, Rules and Procedures
In this assessment, the candidate must provide a partner with legal analysis and advice on a case in the form of a written report. Candidates will be given a summary of a scenario with supporting documentation, and will then have 60 minutes to review the information, identify the pertinent facts and legal principles, and provide client-focused advice.
Negotiation skills may also be tested in this assessment, where the candidate will need to present practical solutions for multiple parties to resolve a dispute or agree on the terms of a transaction, for example. Negotiation can be assessed in all of the SQE2 written assessments, but is most likely to appear in case and matter analysis and/or legal writing. Successful negotiators should be able to identify the pros and cons of various legal arguments and strategies from the client’s perspective, while also keeping the goals of any relevant third party in mind and suggesting options that they may be willing to accept.
SQE2 Marking Criteria: Case and Matter Analysis
In SQE 2 case and matter analysis, candidates will be assessed based on the professional judgement of experienced solicitors who have been trained as assessors for the SQE. The marking of all the SQE2 assessments is judgement-based rather than according to a checklist, considering the following criteria:
Skills:
- Identification of relevant facts
- Demonstrating client-focus in the written advice
- Using clear and correct language
Application of law:
- Applying the law correctly to the situation
- Applying the law comprehensively and demonstrating honesty and integrity in relation to any potential ethical issues
Preparing for SQE Case and Matter Analysis
There are several elements to consider in preparing for this SQE2 assessment. With only one hour to compile your report, every minute counts. During this time, you need to:
- quickly read through a case file and supporting documents and identify the relevant facts;
- analyse the situation against the relevant legal principles;
- focus on the client’s wishes while also assessing the needs and perspective of other stakeholders in the scenario in order to present options and strategies that may result in a “win win” for all sides in a final negotiated agreement;
- ensure that the report itself is clearly written and well structured with suitable headings for each item to be considered.
Overall, the SQE tests a range of competencies including communication and listening skills, persuasion, the use of appropriate language, fact gathering, and maintaining client focus. Some of the competencies are tested across different assessments.
For case and matter analysis, your preparation will mostly overlap with SQE legal writing and the attendance note part of the SQE client interview assessment.
The SQE case and matter analysis skills assessment also draws upon competencies that have historically been tested in the advocacy/presentation QLTS OSCE assessment, which we have extensive experience with. The OSCE presentation exam assessed the candidate’s ability to present oral analysis of a legal case, often to a professional client, e.g. a commercial landlord or a company’s executive director with many years of experience.
SQE case and matter analysis could be considered even easier than this, as it takes the form of a report to a law firm partner, without needing to consider the extra formalities in the language used for clients or other stakeholders.
While it is important to build and maintain your functioning legal knowledge through reading books and practice area summaries, our experience and research strongly indicates that the best way to learn and internalise knowledge and skills in SQE2 prep is through repeated practice in SQE mock simulations.
Our active teaching SQE methodology places the student at the forefront of their own learning, by practicing the tasks, making mistakes in a safe and supportive environment, and learning from those mistakes through personalised feedback and guidance.
Conducting SQE mocks aims to solidify learning in long-term memory to not only pass the SQE, but also to serve your future clients as a capable and knowledgeable qualified solicitor.
SQE2 Case & Matter Analysis 1-1 Mock
Our SQE2 Case and Matter Analysis mock is designed to help you master the most knowledge-reflective written task in SQE2. You will practise drafting partner-level legal advice, applying the correct law to complex facts, and meeting the high standard required for CMA.
All CMA mocks are delivered on our custom Superexam learning platform, built to mirror the SQE2 structure, timing and marking criteria. You will work through realistic case scenarios, receive tutor-marked feedback, and learn how to communicate professionally at the level expected in the real exam.
To help you strengthen your CMA writing skills, the platform also provides legal skills workshops, writing techniques, and targeted practice for SQE2 assessments. Everything is structured in a modular format so you can train flexibly based on your schedule, budget, and level of experience.
✔ Choose your preferred date, time, and area of law
✔ Practise CMA across Business, Property, Dispute Resolution, Criminal, and Wills & Probate
✔ Each SQE2 mock costs £96–£120
✔ Bulk purchase discounts available
Get realistic CMA training, practical feedback, and professional writing skills that maximise your SQE2 marks.
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