SQE2 Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield SQE2 facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. When a client discloses information suggesting they intend to commit a future crime, the solicitor should: → Advise against the course of conduct and consider ceasing to act
2. The 'reading back' principle in succession law provides that: → A codicil is read as part of the original will
3. When citing an unreported case in court, an advocate should: → Obtain the permission of the court and provide the judgment in approved form
4. In legal writing for a tribunal, 'plain English' guidance recommends: → Using clear, direct language without unnecessary jargon or complexity
5. The standard of proof in civil proceedings that an advocate must persuade the tribunal of is: → The balance of probabilities
6. The Human Rights Act 1998 requires courts in England & Wales to: → Interpret legislation compatibly with Convention rights so far as possible
7. Which search is essential in all residential conveyancing transactions and checks planning history and road adoption? → Local authority search (LLC1 and Con29)
8. The priority of legal mortgages over unregistered equitable interests in registered land is governed by: → Date of registration at HM Land Registry
9. Before issuing proceedings, a solicitor should check whether a pre-action protocol applies because failure to comply: → May result in adverse costs orders and sanctions by the court
10. A client who lacks mental capacity at the time of an interview can provide instructions through: → A person holding a registered Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
11. In leasehold property, a 'ground rent review' that could result in rent doubling every 10 years would now be affected by: → The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022
12. In professional negligence, the test for the standard of care applicable to a solicitor is: → The standard of the reasonably competent solicitor in the relevant field
13. The concept of 'vacant possession' in a property sale means: → The property will be free of occupants and their belongings on completion
14. In research methodology, primary legal sources include: → Legislation and case law
15. In judicial review proceedings, the claim must generally be brought within: → Promptly and in any event within 3 months of the decision
16. Legal privilege protects attendance notes from disclosure to third parties when the note was created: → For the dominant purpose of litigation or providing legal advice
17. The Land Registration Act 2002 introduced which concept to replace adverse possession for registered land? → Adverse possession through notification scheme (Schedule 6)
18. The 'without prejudice' rule means that: → Genuine offers to settle cannot be used as admissions of liability in evidence
19. Open questions in client interviewing are preferred in the early stages because they: → Encourage clients to give a narrative in their own words
20. When researching case law, which court's decisions are binding on all courts below it? → The UK Supreme Court binds all courts in England and Wales
21. Limitation periods in contract claims in England & Wales are governed by the Limitation Act 1980, which provides: → 6 years from breach for simple contracts, 12 years for deeds
22. An executor's primary duties after a grant of probate include all of the following EXCEPT: → Advising beneficiaries on their personal tax planning
23. The overriding objective of the Civil Procedure Rules is to: → Enable the court to deal with cases justly and at proportionate cost
24. A grant of probate is required to: → Administer an estate and transfer assets held in the deceased's sole name
25. In a bail application, the advocate for the defence should address which key statutory factors? → Grounds for refusing bail under the Bail Act 1976 and why they do not apply
26. When analysing a civil dispute, the first step is to identify: → The cause of action and the legal basis for the claim
27. Under the SRA Code of Conduct 2019, conflicts of interest between two clients: → Cannot be acted on if a significant risk of conflict exists, with limited exceptions
28. The ejusdem generis rule of statutory interpretation provides that: → General words following a list of specific words are limited to things of the same class
29. Which source of law takes precedence in England & Wales when statute and common law conflict? → Statute, as Parliament is sovereign
30. When writing a legal advice memorandum, the recommended structure begins with: → A clear statement of the issues and a brief answer