SQE2 Legal Research & Writing

Question 1

When writing a legal advice memorandum, the recommended structure begins with:

Accepted Answer

A clear statement of the issues and a brief answer

Answer

A full case history

Answer

A bibliography of sources

Answer

The client's personal details

Question 2

When citing a statute in a legal document, the correct format is:

Accepted Answer

Full title, year, section (e.g. Limitation Act 1980, s 5)

Answer

Short name, then section number in any order

Answer

Only the section number

Answer

Abbreviated title only

Question 3

In legal research, a ratio decidendi is:

Accepted Answer

The legal principle necessary for the court's decision that forms binding precedent

Answer

The judge's personal comments on the law

Answer

An obiter dictum from the leading judgment

Answer

The procedural history of the case

Question 4

Which source of law takes precedence in England & Wales when statute and common law conflict?

Accepted Answer

Statute, as Parliament is sovereign

Answer

Common law because it is older

Answer

European Union law (post-Brexit)

Answer

Constitutional conventions

Question 5

The preferred database for researching current UK statutory legislation in its amended form is:

Accepted Answer

legislation.gov.uk

Answer

BAILII

Answer

Westlaw UK only

Answer

Google Scholar

Question 6

Obiter dicta statements in a judgment are:

Accepted Answer

Persuasive but not binding precedent

Answer

Binding on all lower courts

Answer

Irrelevant and should not be cited

Answer

Only relevant in the court that made them