SQE2 Client Interviewing & Attendance Notes 2

Question 1

A client who lacks mental capacity at the time of an interview can provide instructions through:

Accepted Answer

A person holding a registered Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

Answer

Their spouse acting informally

Answer

Any family member present

Answer

A letter of authority from the client's GP

Question 2

The attendance note of an initial meeting should record all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The solicitor's private personal opinions about the client's credibility

Answer

Date, time and duration of meeting

Answer

Parties present

Answer

Key facts disclosed and advice given

Question 3

Under the SRA Code of Conduct 2019, conflicts of interest between two clients:

Accepted Answer

Cannot be acted on if a significant risk of conflict exists, with limited exceptions

Answer

Can always be resolved by informed consent

Answer

Are permitted if both clients are corporate entities

Answer

Are permitted if the matter is non-contentious

Question 4

Open questions in client interviewing are preferred in the early stages because they:

Accepted Answer

Encourage clients to give a narrative in their own words

Answer

Save time by narrowing issues quickly

Answer

Prevent clients from providing irrelevant information

Answer

Satisfy the requirement for informed consent

Question 5

Which of the following statements about client confidentiality is correct?

Accepted Answer

The duty of confidentiality survives the end of the retainer and continues after the client's death

Answer

Confidentiality ends when the retainer ends

Answer

Confidentiality can be waived by the solicitor alone

Answer

Confidentiality does not apply to information received from third parties

Question 6

When advising on costs at the outset of a matter, a solicitor must:

Accepted Answer

Give the best available information about costs and likely total charges

Answer

Provide a guaranteed fixed fee

Answer

Only discuss costs if the client raises the matter

Answer

Decline to estimate costs until the matter concludes