How to Apply Legal Principles and Rules in SQE1?

The application of legal principles and rules in the SQE1 Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) assessments is tested through a variety of question styles designed to evaluate both knowledge and practical understanding. These questions may require candidates to identify and apply a fundamental legal principle or rule to a given scenario. This tests candidates' ability to solve legal problems similar to those encountered by newly qualified solicitors. In some cases, the legal principle may be provided within the question, and the candidate must demonstrate the correct application of that principle to determine an appropriate legal outcome.

For example, candidates might be asked to determine whether a client can achieve a desired legal outcome, requiring them to offer clear and accurate advice based on their understanding of the law. Alternatively, the question may present an established legal result, and the candidate would need to explain which legal rule or principle produced that result and why. This tests not only the candidate's knowledge of the law but also their ability to apply that knowledge logically and coherently.

Some questions may require candidates to perform specific calculations, such as applying rules, rates, percentages, and thresholds to arrive at a correct figure. For questions related to taxation, candidates are expected to remember long-standing rates and thresholds, as well as understand the availability of certain tax reliefs and exemptions. However, when tax rates and thresholds change frequently due to new Budgets, the necessary figures for such calculations would typically be provided within the question itself.

Published sample questions serve as valuable tools, offering insight into the types of questions candidates may encounter in the assessments. These examples help candidates understand how they will be expected to apply the fundamental legal principles and rules that are laid out in the assessment specification.
Back to blog

Where are our students from?

Council of Europe
Crown Prosecution Service
Baker Mckenzie 
Yale University
University of Chicago
Columbia University
New York University
University of Michigan 
INSEAD
University of London
University College London (UCL)
London School of Economics (LSE)
King’s College London (KCL)
Royal Holloway, University of London 
Birkbeck, University of London
SOAS, University of London
University of Manchester
University of Zurich
University of York
Brandeis University
University of Exeter
University of Sheffield
Boston University
University of Washington
University of Leeds
University of Law
University of Kent
University of Hull
Queen’s University Belfast
Toronto Metropolitan University
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
University of Buckingham
ESSEC Business School