In the Solicitors Qualifying Examination Stage 2 (SQE2), the assessment of the practical legal skills is conducted in the context of various practice areas. Here is an explanation of how the practical legal skills are assessed in each practice area:
Criminal Litigation: This practice area assesses skills such as legal writing, legal research and analysis, advocacy, interviewing and advising, and problem-solving. You may be required to draft legal documents related to criminal cases, analyse legal issues within criminal scenarios, present arguments in simulated courtroom settings, conduct client interviews, and provide legal advice at the police station and within the context of criminal proceedings.
Dispute Resolution: This practice area involves civil litigation that primarily evaluates skills such as legal writing, legal research and analysis, advocacy, negotiation, and problem-solving. You may be tasked with drafting legal documents relevant to civil disputes, conducting legal research on civil law issues, presenting arguments in simulated court hearings, negotiating settlement agreements, and analysing and resolving civil legal problems.
Property Practice: The property practice area assesses skills such as legal writing, legal research and analysis, drafting, interviewing and advising, and problem-solving. You may encounter scenarios involving property transactions, lease agreements, or landlord-tenant disputes. You may be required to draft property-related legal documents, analyse property law issues, conduct client interviews related to property matters, and provide appropriate legal advice within the context of property practice.
Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice: This practice area evaluates skills such as legal writing, legal research and analysis, drafting, interviewing and advising, and problem-solving. You may encounter scenarios related to wills, estate planning, probate administration, or intestacy. You may be tasked with drafting wills or estate planning documents, conducting legal research on probate matters, analysing legal issues related to estate administration, conducting client interviews regarding wills and probate, and providing appropriate legal advice within the context of wills and probate practice.
Business Organisations Rules And Procedures: The assessment of this practice area focuses on skills such as legal writing, legal research and analysis, drafting, interviewing and advising, and problem-solving. You may encounter scenarios related to business formation, corporate governance, commercial transactions, compliance matters or financial services. You may also be required to draft legal documents related to business organisations, conduct legal research on corporate law or financial regulations, analyse legal issues related to business transactions, conduct client interviews on business matters, and provide appropriate legal advice within the context of business organisations and compliance with anti-money laundering regulations.
These practice areas provide the specific context in which the assessed legal skills are evaluated in the SQE2 assessments. You are tested on your abilities to apply these skills within the frameworks of various legal practice areas, ensuring your preparedness for real-world legal scenarios.
