SQE1 Assessment Specification - Applicable for assessments from 1 September 2026

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Mary Man

SQE1 Assessment Specification provides guidance for understanding the SQE1 assessments, including the structure and purposes of FLK1 and FLK2. It explains how questions test the application of fundamental legal rules and principles at the level of a newly qualified solicitor in England and Wales, emphasizing legal reasoning, ethics, and professional conduct. The document outlines subject areas, assessment objectives, single best answer format, closed-book approach, and law cut-off timing, including how taxation and taxation-related principles may be examined.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Guidance on the SQE1 Assessment Speciﬁcation

Overview of SQE1 assessments (FLK1 and FLK2)

Functioning Legal Knowledge and scope of knowledge

Core legal principles and rules

Relationship with the Statement of Solicitor Competence (SoSC)

Assessment format: closed book

Law cut-off date

Taxation scope

SQE1 Assessment Speciﬁcation Applicable for assessments from 1 September 2026 Updated: April 2026 This page is also available in Welsh. Mae'r dudalen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg. NOTE: this version shows the changes made following the 2026 annual review process. Guidance on the SQE1 Assessment Speciﬁcation This guidance is designed to assist with the interpretation of the SQE1 Assessment Speciﬁcation. Candidates should read each SQE Assessment Speciﬁcation by considering all parts together. The Assessment Speciﬁcation for SQE1 contains a number of sections setting out guidance on various topics relating to the SQE1 assessments, including an overview of the SQE1 assessments (FLK1 and FLK2), how the assessments test the application of legal rules and principles, the use of legal authorities and how Ethics and Professional Conduct is tested. There is also a section explaining Functional Legal Knowledge (FLK) with links to both FLK1 and FLK2 at the bottom of the page. Candidates may ﬁnd it helpful to note: ● The questions in SQE1 are designed to test the application of fundamental legal rules and principles at the level required of a competent newly qualiﬁed solicitor. They are not designed to test specialist practice which is unlikely tobe encountered at this level. ● Questions assess fundamental legal principles and rules that are covered in the FLK. To ensure the fairness and integrity of the SQE, information about the SQE Assessment Speciﬁcations will be released to all stakeholders at the same time. There will be an annual review of the FLK to: ● Update to reﬂect changes in the law and practice ● Oﬀer clariﬁcation in the light of feedback from stakeholders where necessary in the light of the information above ● Make any other essential changes. Overview of SQE1 assessments The two SQE1 Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) assessments comprise the following subject areas: ● FLK1: (1) Business Law and Practice; (2) Dispute Resolution; (3) Contract Law; (4) Tort; (5) Legal System of England and Wales; Constitutional and Administrative Law and EU Law (collectively referred to as ‘Legal System’) and (6) Legal Services. ● FLK2: (1) Property Law and Practice; (2) Wills and the Administration of Estates; (3) Solicitors Accounts (examined in the context of Property Law and Practice and Wills and the Administration of Estates); (4) Land Law; (5) Trusts Law; (6) Criminal Liability and (7) Criminal Law and Practice. Within each of the above FLK assessments, questions may draw on any combination of the subject areas which might be encountered in practice. Ethics and Professional Conduct will be examined pervasively across the two assessments above. Principles of taxation will be examined only in the context of: ● Business Law and Practice ● Property Law and Practice ● Wills and the Administration of Estates Subject areas are grouped within two sections giving details of each of the two FLK assessments (FLK1 and FLK2) . For each subject area, Assessment Objectives are set out, followed by the knowledge of law and practice which candidates are expected to apply in order to answer the questions. Functioning Legal Knowledge Scope of knowledge required The depth and breadth of knowledge of English and Welsh law required of candidates is that of functioning legal knowledge. This means that candidates must apply their knowledge of the law to demonstrate the competences required to the level of a newly qualiﬁed solicitor of England and Wales. The FLK assessments for SQE1 will sample from the content indicated in this assessment speciﬁcation. A blueprint is provided at Annex 4. Core legal principles and rules The core legal principles and rules a candidate will be asked to apply are identiﬁed by subject area below. A candidate should be able to apply these fundamental legal principles and rules appropriately and eﬀectively at the level required of a competent newly qualiﬁed solicitor in pr

FAQs

What is the purpose of the SQE1 Assessment Specification?

It provides guidance to help interpret the SQE1 Assessment Specification and how the assessments test application of legal rules and principles, including Ethics and Professional Conduct.

Which assessments make up SQE1 and what subject areas do they cover?

SQE1 includes two Functioning Legal Knowledge assessments: FLK1 and FLK2, each covering specified subject areas such as Business Law and Practice, Dispute Resolution, Contract Law, Property Law and Practice, Wills and the Administration of Estates, and more.

How do the SQE1 assessments test candidates, and what is the law cut-off date?

Questions are closed book and designed to test applying fundamental legal principles without referencing books or notes. Candidates are examined on the law as it stands four calendar months before the first assessment in the assessment window.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Mary Man

SQE1 Assessment Specification - Applicable for assessments from 1 September 2026_Page 1

Open in WPS to view all 8 pages