Legal drafting is an important skill that is tested in the solicitors qualifying exam (SQE). It assesses the ability of candidates to draft or edit legal documents in a clear, concise, and logical manner.
The assessment is marked by trained solicitors who evaluate the candidate's skills and application of the law based on a set of criteria. Two of the key criteria are the candidate's ability to use appropriate language and to structure the document in a logical way.
The examiners may evaluate the candidate's understanding and application of relevant legal principles, as well as their ability to analyse legal issues and identify relevant facts. To be specific, the assessment may involve drafting a range of legal documents, such as contracts, letters, or pleadings, and may require the candidate to demonstrate his knowledge of different areas of law, such as contract law, tort law, and land law.
The examiners use their professional judgement to evaluate the quality of the candidate's legal drafting, taking into account the specific requirements and conventions of legal drafting in England and Wales. Candidates who score highly on the legal drafting assessment are those who are able to demonstrate a strong understanding of legal principles, use clear and concise language, structure the document in a logical and easy-to-follow manner, and apply the law accurately and appropriately to the relevant facts.
