SQE2 Legal Research 2

Question 1

A solicitor is researching a novel legal point with no directly applicable UK authority. Which sources might provide persuasive guidance?

Accepted Answer

Decisions from other common law jurisdictions (such as Australia, Canada, or New Zealand), academic commentary, and Law Commission reports

Answer

Only UK statutes

Answer

Only the solicitor's personal opinion

Answer

Decisions from civil law jurisdictions only

Question 2

What is the significance of the neutral citation system for judgments in England and Wales?

Accepted Answer

It provides a unique, media-neutral identifier for each judgment that is independent of any law report series, enabling consistent citation across all platforms

Answer

It replaces all other citation methods

Answer

It is only used for Supreme Court cases

Answer

It was abolished in 2010

Question 3

When presenting research findings to a supervisor or client, what is the recommended approach?

Accepted Answer

Summarise the key findings, identify the applicable legal principles, explain how they apply to the client's situation, and highlight any uncertainties or conflicting authorities

Answer

Provide raw search results without analysis

Answer

Only present findings that support the client's position

Answer

Send a list of case names without summaries

Question 4

What is a Halsbury's Laws of England entry and when is it useful in legal research?

Accepted Answer

It is an encyclopaedic statement of the law of England and Wales, organised by subject, useful as a starting point for researching an unfamiliar area of law

Answer

It is a collection of unreported cases

Answer

It is a database of European Union legislation only

Answer

It is a law firm's internal knowledge management system

Question 5

A solicitor is researching retained EU law following Brexit. Which key statute governs how EU law was preserved in domestic law?

Accepted Answer

The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (as amended by the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023)

Answer

The Human Rights Act 1998

Answer

The Constitutional Reform Act 2005

Answer

The European Communities Act 1972

Question 6

What is the purpose of a legal research trail or audit?

Accepted Answer

To create a record of the research process, including sources consulted, search terms used, and results found, ensuring thoroughness and enabling the research to be verified or updated

Answer

To increase billing

Answer

To demonstrate the solicitor's academic qualifications

Answer

To satisfy advertising regulations