SQE2 sample question and discussion of answer - client interviewing and attendance note/legal analysis

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Angel

Sample SQE2 assessment material outlining a client interview process and a written attendance note/legal analysis based on wills and intestacy, probate administration, and practice. The document specifies candidate timing for reviewing an email and attachments, conducting a 25-minute client interview, and producing a hand-written legal attendance note within 25 minutes. It includes a partner-to-candidate briefing, a client case involving Damian Robins and Astrid Green’s will, plus candidate notes and client details.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

AccessFree to download

SQE2 sample question and discussion of answer

Assessment overview and timing

Client interview briefing

Astrid Green’s will (key provisions)

Family summary and client information

Candidate notes and assumptions

SQE2 sample question and discussion of answer Client interviewing and attendance note/legal analysis (Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice) Last reviewed on 28 November 2023 Candidates will undertake 16 assessments in SQE2 . To pass SQE2 candidates will need to obtain the overall pass mark for SQE2 . This sample question and discussion of answer is an example of a client interview and attendance note/legal analysis assessment. Candidates have 10 minutes to consider the email and any documents. They then have 25 minutes to conduct the interview with the client. Candidates have 25 minutes to write, by hand, an attendance note/legal analysis of the interview they have just completed. For further detail see the SQE2 Assessment Specification. Please note that the sample questions are provided to give an indication of the type of tasks that candidates could be set. They do not represent all the material that will be covered in SQE2 . Future questions may not take exactly the same format. Question and additional candidate papers From: Partner Sent: 5 May 202\# To: Candidate Subject: Damian Robins Damian Robins is a new client. He has made an appointment to see you today following the death of his sister, Astrid Green. He has sent me a copy of his sister’s will which you will find attached. You will see from the will that Damian is one of the executors. He intends to administer the estate without our help but he is instructing us to give him some initial advice about the following: • who should act as executors; • how the estate should be distributed. I understand some of the assets mentioned in the will were no longer owned by the deceased when she died; and • an explanation of whether any inheritance tax will be payable. Astrid’s family situation is a little complicated, so Damian has kindly provided us with a brief summary of Astrid’s family, which I have also attached to this email. This should be useful when considering the terms of Astrid’s will. I will be working on the file with you, so following your meeting, please write a full attendance note/case analysis setting out all the advice we should give the client in relation to the issues above, as well as any other matters you discuss at the meeting. Please also include any key facts, next steps for us/or the client, and any professional conduct issues that arise. Thanks Partner Attachments: 1. Copy will of Astrid Green 2. Details of the family of Astrid Green Note to Candidates: You are not required to deal with, nor will you be asked about, client care matters (including costs) or money laundering issues. This is the last Will of me ASTRID GREEN of 99 Castle Street Grays Essex RM16 7YY which I make this 12th day of June 2010 1. I REVOKE all former Wills and Codicils made by me 2. I APPOINT my husband COLIN GREEN and my brother DAMIAN ROBINS and my sister JOAN KNIGHT to be my executors and trustees (“my Trustees”) 3. I MAKE the following gifts in each case free of tax: a) To my son FRANK GREEN my grandfather’s carriage clock which was given tomy grandfather on his retirement from ABC plc b) To each of my granddaughters GAYNOR GREEN and SUSAN GREEN the sum of £500 c) To my nephew JOHN ROBINS 500 shares in ABC plc 4. I GIVE the remainder of my estate (after payment of my debts funeral and testamentary expenses and the aforementioned gifts) to my Trustees to hold upon trust for such of the children of my sister JOAN KNIGHT as shall survive me and attain the age of 21 years and if more than one in equal shares absolutely SIGNED by the said ASTRID GREEN in our joint presence and then by us in hers George Jones George Jones 18 Cooper Street Hackney London E9 7TR Hairdresser Sheila Jones Sheila Jones 18 Cooper Street Hackney London E9 7TR Cleaner Note to Candidates: Astrid Green This is a copy of the original will. You may assume the original will was executed in acco

FAQs

What are the key time allocations for the SQE2 client task in this sample?

Candidates review the email and documents for 10 minutes, conduct a 25-minute client interview, then write a 25-minute hand-written attendance note/legal analysis based on the interview.

What issues is the client seeking initial advice on?

The briefing asks who should act as executors, how the estate should be distributed, and whether any inheritance tax will be payable, including attention to assets that may no longer be owned at death.

What does the will appoint, and how are key gifts made?

Astrid Green revokes prior wills and appoints Colin Green, Damian Robins, and Joan Knight as executors and trustees. The will makes tax-free gifts including a carriage clock to Frank Green, £500 each to two granddaughters, and 500 shares in ABC plc to John Robins, with the remainder held on trust for surviving children of Joan Knight who reach age 21.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Angel

SQE2 sample question and discussion of answer - client interviewing and attendance note/legal analysis_Page 1

Open in WPS to view all 17 pages