SRA Annual Review of SQE Assessment Specifications and FLK 2026
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The SRA carried out an annual review of the SQE Assessment Specifications and the Functioning Legal Knowledge to ensure that the assessments remain relevant and aligned with current legal practice. The latest review confirms a number of updates that will apply to SQE assessments taking place after 1 September 2026, with the first application being the SQE2 assessment in October 2026. These changes are intended to provide greater clarity for candidates and improve the consistency of assessment across SQE1 and SQE2.
Several important amendments have been made to both SQE1 and SQE2. In relation to taxation, the guidance has been updated to clarify that where you are required to apply exemptions, reliefs, thresholds or specific rates, the relevant monetary values will be provided in the assessment. In SQE2, further clarification has also been added to the guidance on the Correct and Comprehensive Application of Law, helping you better understand how legal application skills will be assessed.
Additional updates have been introduced specifically for SQE2. More detailed guidance has been provided for the Legal Research station to demonstrate how it aligns with the SRA’s Statement of Solicitor Competence. The Assessment Specifications also now confirm that money laundering issues may be examined within Property Practice, in addition to Business Law and Practice. Furthermore, a separate SQE2 category for Ethics and Professional Conduct will be introduced to improve visibility of candidate performance and provide more detailed feedback in this area. Although this change will not alter the format of the assessments, it will apply only to assessments after 1 September 2026. The SRA has also amended the naming conventions of some practice areas so that they align more closely with SQE1 terminology.
In response to these updates, we are revising our SQE1 study materials to ensure they remain fully aligned with the latest Assessment Specifications and FLK requirements. The updated materials will incorporate all relevant changes introduced through the annual review process and will be available by the end of July this year.
