SQE2 Legal Research

The Legal Research task in SQE2 is a computer-based assessment that tests your ability to investigate unfamiliar legal issues using a range of resources and then communicate your findings in a clear, practical, and client-focused manner. You are presented with a scenario typically framed as an email from a partner who requests assistance in researching a legal problem so that you can respond accurately to a client. Your task is to review a bundle of legal materials provided during the assessment, such as statutes, cases, and extracts from secondary sources, and produce a written report for the partner in the context of Business Law and Practice, Criminal Practice, Dispute Resolution, Property Practice, or Wills and the Administration of Estates. This report should explain the legal position clearly and advise what the partner should tell the client.

What distinguishes the legal research task is that the issue under investigation may fall outside the Functioning Legal Knowledge that you are expected to memorise. In other words, this exercise simulates real solicitor practice where the lawyer does not necessarily know the answer off-hand and must consult legal sources to form a reliable view. It tests your legal reasoning and your ability to navigate and analyse provided legal texts. However, you are not required to produce a research trail (a log of research steps), as the emphasis is on the quality of the written report and not the process used to locate the information.

You are give 60 minutes to complete the research exercise, and you can rely solely on the material given during the assessment. You are not expected or permitted to bring your own notes or books, nor to rely on outside knowledge. Within the sources provided, there may be a mixture of relevant and irrelevant material, so one key skill is the ability to discern what is important and focus on that. The written report must cite and explain the applicable legal rules, drawing on the sources to support the legal analysis, and then translate that analysis into practical, client-focused advice that a supervising partner could give to the client.

The assessment focuses not only on research ability but also on written communication. You must use clear, concise, and professional language. The tone should be appropriate for internal correspondence with a supervising partner: it should be informative, well-organised, and solution-oriented. Any legal terminology used should be correct and well-explained. The report must also reflect the client’s perspective by showing an understanding of what the client is trying to achieve and giving advice that is not only legally accurate but also commercially or personally relevant.

In terms of legal application, you must apply the law accurately and comprehensively, drawing connections between the sources and the factual scenario. The report should also identify any ethical or professional conduct issues, such as conflicts of interest, confidentiality, or duties owed to the court or third parties, and explain how those should be resolved. Ethical reasoning must be embedded in the advice, reflecting the standards of integrity expected of a Day One Solicitor.

In short, Legal Research assesses whether you are capable of solving unfamiliar legal problems through effective research, legal reasoning, and practical written advice. It reflects the reality of legal practice where solicitors frequently encounter complex or niche issues that require careful research and clear communication with colleagues and clients alike.