SQE1 Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield SQE1 facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is the legal effect of intoxication on mens rea for crimes of basic intent? → Voluntary intoxication cannot negate the mens rea for basic intent offences
2. Which doctrine allows a court to imply a term into a contract on the basis that it is so obvious it goes without saying? → The officious bystander test
3. To comply with the SRA Accounts Rules, what is the maximum permitted interval between completing client account reconciliations? → At least every five weeks.
4. Under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, what major structural change was made to the UK judiciary? → The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom was established as the final court of appeal
5. Under the standard conveyancing process in England and Wales, at what point do the parties become legally bound to buy and sell a property? → On exchange of contracts
6. Judicial review in English administrative law allows the courts to review government decisions on which of the following grounds? → Illegality, irrationality, and procedural impropriety
7. What is the mens rea for murder under English law? → Intention to cause grievous bodily harm or kill
8. Under section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, what must be proved regarding the defendant's mental state? → Intention to cause grievous bodily harm or to resist arrest
9. Under English criminal law, what are the two elements that must generally be proved to establish criminal liability? → Actus reus and mens rea
10. Which of the following is an example of a power exercised under the Royal Prerogative by government ministers? → The deployment of armed forces overseas.
11. What is the role of the Legal Ombudsman in the UK legal services framework? → To investigate and resolve complaints about the service provided by lawyers
12. Under the Theft Act 1968, which element of theft requires that the defendant's appropriation be without legal right? → Dishonesty
13. Which three elements must be established to found a claim in proprietary estoppel, as confirmed in Thorner v Major [2009]? → Assurance, reliance, and detriment
14. What is the consequence where a trust fails for conceptual uncertainty in its objects? → The trust is void
15. What does the law mean by 'privity of contract'? → Only parties to a contract can sue or be sued on it
16. What is the legal effect of a counter-offer on the original offer? → It terminates the original offer, which cannot then be accepted
17. The defence of contributory negligence under the Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945 results in: → A reduction in damages proportionate to the claimant's fault
18. In contract law, what does 'consideration' mean? → Something of value given by each party in exchange for the other's promise
19. What is the overriding principle concerning the payment of interest on money held for a client in a general client account under the SRA Accounts Rules? → The firm must account to the client for a fair sum of interest.
20. Under the Misrepresentation Act 1967, which type of misrepresentation allows the innocent party to claim both rescission and damages? → Both fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation under s.2(1)
21. Under the SRA Standards and Regulations 2019, what are the two Codes of Conduct that solicitors must comply with? → The SRA Code of Conduct for Firms and the SRA Code of Conduct for Individuals
22. In Re Golay's Will Trusts, why was a direction to pay a beneficiary 'a reasonable income' held to satisfy certainty of subject matter? → A court could objectively assess what constituted a reasonable income
23. Which case established that an advertisement for a product (such as the Carbolic Smoke Ball) could constitute a binding unilateral offer? → Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co [1893]
24. What is the purpose of the SRA Accounts Rules regarding client money? → To ensure client money is kept separate from the firm's own money and properly safeguarded
25. Under the Variation of Trusts Act 1958, on whose behalf may the court give consent to a variation of trust beneficial interests? → Minors, unborn beneficiaries, and persons lacking mental capacity
26. What is the mens rea (mental element) of murder under English criminal law? → An intention to kill or an intention to cause grievous bodily harm
27. The SRA's seven Principles (2019) include acting with integrity. Which Principle requires solicitors to act with independence? → Principle 4
28. A party is induced to enter into a contract due to a fraudulent misrepresentation. Which of the following remedies is available to the innocent party? → Rescission of the contract and damages.
29. Under the Legal Services Act 2007, which body is the oversight regulator for all approved legal regulators? → The Legal Services Board
30. What is a solicitor's duty of confidentiality under the SRA Code of Conduct? → The duty continues after the retainer ends and is subject to limited exceptions