SQE2 Attendance Note/Legal Analysis

After the client interview, you are required to write an attendance note/legal analysis within 25 minutes. This handwritten document serves as a formal record of the meeting and demonstrates your ability to analyse legal issues and give preliminary advice. The attendance note should capture all relevant facts disclosed during the interview and provide a reasoned legal analysis, including identification and application of relevant legal principles. It should reflect the client’s goals and provide practical, client-focused advice.

In addition to recording the relevant legal issues and providing client-focused advice, the attendance note should set out clear next steps, both for the solicitor and the client. It must also identify any ethical or professional conduct issues, such as confidentiality, conflicts of interest, or the client’s vulnerability, and explain how these should be handled.

The advice given should demonstrate an understanding of the problem from the client's perspective and what the client wants to achieve, not just from a purely legal viewpoint. Where appropriate, the note may also include options for negotiation or alternative dispute resolution strategies. If the initial email flagged specific issues or questions to be addressed, the candidate should ensure these are dealt with clearly in the analysis.