Law
Our Approach
Why Students Choose LCI
Mastering law requires more than just understanding legal concepts—it’s about developing specialized skills and learning how to apply them effectively. Every student needs individualized support to grasp key legal topics and, more importantly, to learn how to answer questions using the right legal techniques. Our mission is to create an educational platform that nurtures these essential skills, helping students excel both academically and professionally. Our highly experienced and qualified SQE tutors, along with our LCI framework, ensure success for our students. We understand firsthand that memorizing legal content isn’t enough. Success in law comes from mastering the techniques needed to analyse, interpret, and apply legal principles throughout academic studies and professional practice.
Our unique approach provides structured guidance through the complexities of legal education—often seen as an overwhelming challenge. Many students struggle with where to start or how to navigate legal studies effectively, and our LCI platform is designed to change that.
By making the learning process more structured, strategic, and efficient, we help students save time, improve their comprehension, and achieve better outcomes. This method has proven to significantly enhance performance at undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional examination levels.
Our tutoring model is highly personalized, ensuring continuous support, mentoring, and confidence-building. With expert guidance, students develop a more logical, streamlined approach to studying law—eliminating confusion and making learning more effective.
We connect students, and professionals with experienced legal practitioners who tailor study plans to individual needs. By focusing on skill development in key areas, we help students, and professionals achieve higher academic performance and long-term professional success seamlessly.
SQE Assessment Overview
Understanding SQE1 and SQE2 Assessments
The SQE Includes Two Assessments
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) consists of two stages:
- SQE1 – Tests Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK).
- SQE2 – Assesses Practical Legal Skills.
SQE1 is divided into FLK1 and FLK2. SQE2 consists of Oral Assessments and Written Assessments.
SQE1 – Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK)
FLK is assessed through Single Best Answer Multiple Choice Questions over a two-day assessment period. Ethics and Professional Conduct are assessed across both FLK1 and FLK2.
| FLK1 Subjects |
|---|
| Business Law and Practice |
| Dispute Resolution |
| Contract |
| Tort |
| Legal System of England and Wales |
| Constitutional & Administrative Law |
| EU Law |
| Legal Services |
| FLK2 Subjects |
|---|
| Property Practice |
| Wills and Administration of Estates |
| Solicitors Accounts |
| Land Law |
| Trusts |
| Criminal Law and Practice |
SQE2 – Practical Legal Skills Assessments
SQE2 assesses practical legal skills through a combination of written and oral assessments conducted over five days. Ethics and Professional Conduct are assessed throughout.
| Legal Skills | Practice Areas |
|---|---|
| Client Interview & Attendance Note / Legal Analysis | Criminal Litigation (including advising clients at the police station) |
| Advocacy | Dispute Resolution |
| Case and Matter Analysis | Property Practice |
| Legal Research | Wills and Intestacy, Probate Administration and Practice |
| Legal Writing | Business Organisations Rules & Procedures (including money laundering and financial services) |
| Legal Drafting | Relevant Practice Contexts |
SQE1 Assessment Structure
| Total Questions | 360 Multiple Choice Questions |
| FLK1 | 180 Single Best Answer Questions |
| FLK2 | 180 Single Best Answer Questions |
| Assessment Days | Two Non-Consecutive Days |
| Requirement | FLK1 and FLK2 must be taken in the same assessment window |
SQE2 Oral Assessments
The oral component of SQE2 consists of:
- Interview and Attendance Note / Legal Analysis
- Advocacy
Fees for Assessments from September 2025
The SRA has agreed an increase in the candidate fee for the SQE assessment (including resits) which will take effect for assessments from September 2025. It will therefore first apply to anyone booking to take the October 2025 SQE2.
| Assessment | Fee |
|---|---|
| SQE1 | £1,934 (£967 for FLK1 and £967 for FLK2) |
| SQE2 | £2,974 |
All fees are VAT exempt.
Paying for SQE1
You must book FLK1 and FLK2 separately but pay for them both in a single payment at time of booking.
FLK1 and FLK2 must be taken in the same assessment window (unless an exemption applies or you have passed one and are resitting the other).
Paying for SQE2
You must book both the written and oral assessments together, and pay at the time of booking.
The fees you pay will depend on whether you have an exemption and what your exemption is for.
- Learn more: Exemptions
- Learn more: Payment methods
Cancellation Fees
If you cancel your exam after you have paid for it, you may be charged a cancellation fee based on when you instruct us to cancel your booking.
You must tell us in writing that you want to cancel your current booking. Please refer to Part D – Fees and Cancellation in the SQE Assessment Terms and Conditions.
The cancellation charges are based on the timing of when you instruct us to cancel the booking.
Please note: we require requests for cancellation to be in writing via email and suggest the use of the Model Cancellation Form (see Schedule 1 of the SQE Assessment Terms and Conditions for a copy).
Learn more: SQE Assessment Terms and Conditions
Resit Fees for Assessments Taken from September 2025
SQE1
- If you fail FLK1 or FLK2, you will pay £967 to retake the exam you failed.
- If you fail both FLK1 and FLK2, you will pay the full SQE1 fee of £1,934 to retake both exams.
SQE2
- If you fail SQE2, you will pay the full amount of £2,974 to retake the exam.
All fees are VAT exempt.
Appeals
To appeal the decision of the SQE Award Board, you will pay the fees shown below:
| Appeal Type | Fee | Refunded if Appeal is Upheld |
|---|---|---|
| First Stage Appeal | £350 | Yes |
| Final Appeal | £850 | Yes |
If a candidate makes an appeal, a clerical check will be completed as part of the process of the appeal.
| UK | International |
|---|---|
| Aylesbury | Melbourne, Australia |
| Ballymena | Perth, Australia |
| Basildon | Sydney, Australia |
| Belfast | Vienna, Austria |
| Birmingham | |
| Bristol | Toronto, Canada * |
| Cardiff | Beijing, China |
| Chelmsford | Guangzhou, China |
| Chester | Shanghai, China |
| Colchester | Shenzhen, China |
| Prague, Czech Republic | |
| Croydon | Cairo, Egypt |
| Derby | Paris, France |
| Dudley | Berlin, Germany |
| Edinburgh | Frankfurt, Germany |
| Exeter | Hamburg, Germany |
| Glasgow | Munich, Germany |
| Grimsby | Athens, Greece |
| Hayes | Attiki, Greece |
| Horley, Surrey | Hong Kong |
| Hove | Bangalore, India |
| Huddersfield | Chennai, India |
| Hull | Gurugram, India |
| Liverpool | Hyderabad, India |
| London | Mumbai, India |
| Manchester | New Delhi, India |
| Middlesbrough | Dublin, Ireland |
| Milton Keynes | Rome, Italy |
| Newcastle Upon Tyne | Chiyoda-ku, Japan |
| Northampton | Shinjuku, Japan |
| Norwich | Tokyo, Japan |
| Nottingham | Osaka-shi, Japan |
| Oldham | Seoul, Korea, South |
| Oxford | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Peterborough | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Portsmouth | Eindhoven, Netherlands |
| Preston | Warszawa, Poland |
| Reading | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Salisbury | Singapore |
| Sheffield | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Skipton | Pretoria, South Africa |
| Slough | Barcelona, Spain |
| Southampton | Madrid, Spain |
| Southend on Sea | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Southwark | Lausanne, Switzerland |
| St Leonards on Sea | Istanbul, Turkiye |
| Staines | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
| Stevenage | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Stockport | New York, USA |
| Stratford upon Avon | |
| Sutton Coldfield | |
| Swansea | |
| Uxbridge | |
| Wolverhampton | |
| Worcester | |
| Worthing | |
| Wrexham |
| Assessment | Dates | Booking opening and closing | Key booking information | First day of assessment window | Examinable law and practice cut off date | Results date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | FLK1: 12-16 January 2026 FLK2: 19-23 January 2026 | TBC | TBC | 12 January 2026 | 12 September 2025 | 10 March 2026 |
| July 2026 | FLK1: 13-17 July 2026 FLK2: 20-24 July 2026 | TBC | TBC | 13 July 2026 | 13 March 2026 | TBC |
| January 2027 | FLK1: 11-15 January 2027 FLK2: 18-22 January 2027 | TBC | TBC | 11 January 2027 | 11 September 2026 | TBC |
| July 2027 | FLK1: 12-16 July 2027 FLK2: 19-23 July 2027 | TBC | TBC | 12 July 2027 | 12 March 2027 | TBC |
SQE2 written assessments take place at Pearson VUE locations in the UK and internationally.
| Assessment | Dates | Booking opening and closing | Key booking information | First day of assessment window | Examinable law and practice cut off date | Results date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | Written: 28-30 July Oral: 4-5 August Second: 6-7 August |
TBC | TBC | 28 July 2026 | 28 March 2026 | TBC |
| October 2026 | Written: 27-29 October Oral: 3-4 November Second: 5-6 November Third: 10-11 November |
TBC | TBC | 27 October 2026 | 27 June 2026 | TBC |
| January 2027 | Oral: 26-27 January Oral: 28-29 January Written: 2-4 February 2027 |
TBC | TBC | 26 January 2027 | 26 September 2026 | TBC |
| April 2027 | Written: 20-22 April Written: 4-6 May Oral: 26-27 April Oral: 28-29 April Oral: 11-12 May Oral: 13-14 May |
TBC | TBC | 20 April 2027 | 20 December 2026 | TBC |
| July 2027 | Oral: 27-28 July Second: 29-30 July Written: 3-5 August 2027 |
TBC | TBC | 27 July 2027 | 27 March 2027 | TBC |
SQE1 sittings have a regular pattern of two SQE1 sittings per year: January and July.
SQE2 sittings have a regular pattern of four SQE2 sittings per year: January, April, July, and October.
- SQE1: third week of the month
- SQE2:
1. January, July and October sittings: final week of the month
2. April sittings: the third week of the month. This will start from the April 2027 sitting (there is no change to the published April 2026 SQE2 assessment dates).*
First day of the assessment window
The first day of the assessment window is the date of the first assessment for that window. Therefore, for SQE2, it will be the date of the first oral assessment or the date of the first written assessment for that window, whichever is earliest.
Length of the SQE2 assessment window
SQE2 assessments typically take place over approximately two or three weeks. As candidate volumes increase, we expect that SQE2 assessment windows will always be at least three weeks long, and this may extend into four, or possibly five, weeks. To meet demand, the April SQE2 window will be approximately four weeks long, starting from the April 2027 SQE2.
The order of SQE2 oral and written assessments
There is no fixed order between the written and oral assessments. In any given assessment window the written assessments could be before or after the oral assessments. The written assessments could also take place in between oral sittings. The timetable is determined by various considerations, and in particular securing dates to maximise the number of spaces for candidates.
Oral assessment sittings
You are only required to attend one sitting of the oral assessment and you will be able to select which sitting when booking opens, subject to availability.
When to take the SQE
You should consider carefully when you feel you will be ready to take the SQE. Please see the blog on “Preparing for SQE2” in the March 2022 edition of the SQE Update for some of the considerations when planning ahead, such as whether a period of qualifying work experience would be beneficial.
SQE time limit
You have six years in which to complete SQE1 and SQE2. The six-year period starts from the first day you sit your first SQE assessment. You have up to three attempts at SQE1 and SQE2 within this time.
Studying for the SQE
It is very likely you will need to study for the assessments. How you study for the SQE is up to you and will depend on factors such as your experience, your employer and your learning preferences. The SRA has information on SQE training options and choosing an SQE training provider that may be helpful.
To find out who delivers SQE education, tutoring or training services (or plans to in the future), or produces SQE-related study materials and resources (or plans to in the future), check the SRA’s list of training providers.
Please note that neither Kaplan nor the SRA regulates, accredits or endorses training providers or organisations.
| SQE 1 Course | Deliverables | SQE 1 Success | SQE 1 Navigator | SQE 1 Course With SQE 2 Exemption Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCQs Book : FLK 1 & FLK 2 | 2 Hard Copies | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Digital - FLK 1&2: 360 MCQs (Highly Subject Wise) | Digital Copy | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SQE Preparation Online Classes - 10 Hours | Live Zoom Online | No | Yes | Yes |
| SQE Tutor Support - One to One Doubt Clarifications | 4 Session in Total (60 Minutes × 4) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SQE 2 Mock Interview Sessions | 3 Session in Total (60 Minutes × 3) | No | NA | Yes |
| SQE 1 Exam Registration Guidance | Live Zoom Online | Yes | No | Yes |
| SQE 2 Exemption Guidance : Start to Finish | Complete Guidance | No | No | Yes |
| LCI Extended Support: Students who are unsuccessful on their initial attempt may be eligible for additional support services. These services are considered on a case-by-case basis and are provided at LCI’s discretion. | Extended Support | No | No | Yes |
| Course Fee (Exam Fee & Exemption Fee not included) | £1500 | £2250 | £2700 |
| SQE 2 Course | Deliverables | SQE 2 Success | SQE 2 Navigator | SQE 2 Power House |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5+ Legal Writing Task & Highly On-Demand Session | Digital Copy | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SQE 2 Preparation Online Classes - 10 Hours | Live Zoom Online | No | Yes | Yes |
| SQE 2 Tutor Support - One to One Doubt Clarifications | 4 Sessions (60 Minutes × 4) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SQE 2 Mock Interview Sessions | 3 Sessions (60 Minutes × 3) | No | Yes | Yes |
| SQE 2 Exam Registration Guidance | Live Zoom Online | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Collaborative workshops and weekly strategy sessions | Live Zoom Online | No | No | Yes |
| Extended Support (case-by-case after unsuccessful attempt) | Extended Support | No | No | Yes |
| Course Fee (Exam Fee & Exemption Fee not included) | £1500 | £2250 | £2700 |
Annual FLK Review — Changes Effective
1 September 2026
LCI presents the official changes to the SQE1 and SQE2 Assessment Specifications and Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) as published by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Prepared for LCI professionals and students.
This page sets out the changes to be made to the SQE1 and SQE2 Assessment Specifications and the Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) following their annual review by the SRA. More information on the process can be found in the Annual Review of the FLK 2026.
The updated Assessment Specifications and FLK apply to SQE assessments taking place after 1 September 2026. The first time they apply will be the SQE2 assessment in October 2026. Clean versions will replace current versions after the SQE2 July 2026 assessments.
Assessment Specification Changes SQE1 & SQE2
- Tax Guidance (SQE1 & SQE2): Updated to confirm that where candidates must apply monetary values of exemptions, reliefs, rates or thresholds, these will be provided within the assessment question.
- Correct & Comprehensive Application of Law (SQE2): Guidance updated to provide further clarity for candidates on application requirements.
- Legal Research Station (SQE2): Additional information provided on how this station aligns with the SRA's Statement of Solicitor Competence.
- Money Laundering (SQE2): Confirmed that money laundering can now also be examined in the context of Property Practice, in addition to Business Law and Practice.
- Ethics & Professional Conduct — New Third Category (SQE2): A new SQE2 'Law' category for Ethics and Professional Conduct will be created to increase visibility and allow more effective tracking of candidate performance. No change to assessment format. Applies from 1 September 2026.
- Practice Area Naming Conventions (SQE2): Naming conventions for some practice areas have been amended to align more clearly with SQE1.
SQE1 FLK1 Changes From 1 Sept 2026
| Practice Area | Location | Change | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Law & Practice | Legal personality and limited liability | Added: (sole trader / partnership / LLP / private and unlisted public companies) | Consistency with other BLP FLK lines; clarifies scope |
| Business Law & Practice | Funding options: debt and equity | Added: (including redemption and buyback of shares, but excluding other reductions of share capital and financial assistance under Companies Act 2006) | Clarifies scope of this FLK line |
| Business Law & Practice | Corporation Tax: basis of charge | Added: (calculation of income profits and chargeable gains / allowable deductions / main reliefs and exemptions) | Clarity and consistency with other taxation areas |
| Business Law & Practice | Corporation Tax: calculation, payment and collection | Added: The charge to tax: | Clarity and consistency with other taxation areas |
| Dispute Resolution | Enforcement of money judgments | "Oral examination" replaced with: obtaining information from judgment debtor | Aligns with current legal terminology |
| Contract Law | Contract terms: interpretation | Split into two bullets: (1) interpretation of contract terms; (2) classification of contract terms (conditions, warranties and innominate terms) | Clarifies that both interpretation and classification can be assessed |
| Tort | — | No changes | — |
| Legal System EW & Sources of Law | The courts; the judiciary | "the judiciary" changed to: judicial function | Clarifies core responsibilities being tested |
| Legal System EW & Sources of Law | Court hierarchy, appeal system and jurisdiction | Deleted: the appeal system | Appeals tested within Dispute Resolution and Criminal Law |
| Legal System EW & Sources of Law | Legitimacy, separation of powers and rule of law | Deleted: Legitimacy | Points already covered by existing FLK lines; removed for clarity |
| Legal Services | Funding options: eligibility for legal aid | Deleted: criminal and from "criminal and civil legal aid" | Criminal legal aid tested in FLK2; avoids confusion |
SQE1 FLK2 Changes From 1 Sept 2026
| Location | Change | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-contract searches and enquiries | Two lines merged; new wording: range and purpose of making searches and enquiries (including who would make these) | Lines combined as they naturally fit together |
| Pre-contract searches (results) | Added: issues that could arise from the results of searches and enquiries | Clarity for candidates |
| Preparation for and exchange of contracts | New bullet: Drafting the sale contract including: | Clarity for candidates |
| Practice method / authority to exchange | Added: (the Law Society's formulae for exchange) | Clarity for candidates |
| Pre-completion | Added: Pre-completion steps (including financial considerations and apportionments) | Clarity for candidates |
| Procedural steps for assignment of a lease | New bullet: Drafting the contract for the assignment of a lease | Clarity that this can be assessed |
| Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 | Added: (including contracting out) | Clarity for candidates |
| Location | Change | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Validity of wills and codicils | New bullets: knowledge and approval; who has the burden of proof when challenging validity | Clarity for candidates |
| Personal Representatives | Sub-bullets added under appointment of executors: eligibility; suitability | Clarity for candidates |
| Alterations and amendments to wills | Changed to: Use and effect of codicils | Clarity for candidates |
| Revocation of wills | Methods of revocation sub-bullets added: later will; codicil; destruction; marriage and civil partnership. Removed: "Effect of marriage and divorce on a testator". New: effect of divorce or dissolution on existing will | Clarity for candidates |
| Location | Change | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Grants of representation | New sub-bullets under Non-Contentious Probate Rules: order of priority where deceased left a will; order of priority in intestacy. Updated application procedure wording for all grant types | Clarity for candidates |
| Burden of Inheritance Tax | "liability" added; sub-bullets: personal representatives; beneficiaries; trustees; co-owners | Clarity for candidates |
| Administration of estates — duties | Detailed sub-bullets added under duties of PRs prior to distribution, covering collecting assets, preservation, payments, following will/intestacy terms, and accounting to beneficiaries | Clarity for candidates |
| Liabilities of personal representatives | Sub-bullets: unknown beneficiaries; missing beneficiaries; insolvent beneficiaries; creditors | Clarity for candidates |
| Claims under Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 | Added: factors the court will take into account when considering a claim | Clarity for candidates |
| Inheritance Tax | Added: and gifts with a reservation of benefit | Clarity for candidates |
| Practice Area | Location | Change | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solicitors Accounts | — | No changes | — |
| Land Law | — | No changes | — |
| Trusts Law | Creation of express trusts | Exceptions to the volunteer rule now listed: Re Rose; Strong v Bird; Choithram v Pagarani | Clarity for candidates |
| Trusts Law | Resulting trusts | Replaced with two bullets: automatic resulting trusts; presumed resulting trusts | Clarity for candidates |
| Trusts Law | Liability of strangers to the trust | Replaced "recipient liability / accessory liability" with: knowing receipt; dishonest assistance | Reflects commonly used terminology |
| Trusts Law | Fiduciary relationship and obligations | Updated to gender-neutral language: themselves / their | Up-to-date terminology |
| Practice Area | Location | Change | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core principles of criminal liability | — | No changes | — |
| Advising clients at the police station | Procedure for interviewing under PACE 1984 | Deleted "including representation of vulnerable client" (subsumed in overarching heading). New bullet: requirements of a lawful interview under PACE 1984 Code C | Removes undue emphasis; adds required knowledge |
| Criminal Litigation Procedures | Bail applications | Added: Procedure for applying for and opposing bail | Clarity for candidates |
| Criminal Litigation Procedures | Admitting and excluding evidence | Deleted "burden and standard of proof" (covered elsewhere). New bullet under hearsay: Challenging admissibility. Deleted "and 78" from s.76 PACE. Added "bad" before "character evidence". Deleted "procedure for admitting bad character evidence" | Avoids duplication; improves clarity |
| Criminal Litigation Procedures | Trial procedure | New bullet: relevance of defendant's good character | Clarity for candidates |
| Criminal Litigation Procedures | Sentencing | Newton hearings: added applicability and procedure | Clarity for candidates |
| Criminal Litigation Procedures | Youth court procedure | Added and hearings to heading. New bullet: role of the Robbery — Sentencing Children and Young People guideline | Clarity on guidelines during youth proceedings |
SQE2 FLK Changes
All changes made to the SQE1 FLK (set out above) have been applied to the SQE2 FLK where applicable. No additional standalone SQE2-only changes have been made to the FLK beyond those reflected in the tables above.
Official SRA Documents PDF Downloads
Documents below show tracked changes and are sourced directly from the SRA SQE website. Clean versions will be published after the SQE2 July 2026 assessments.