Updated November 2024
In the post – SQE1 & SQE2: Key Books & Materials – I outlined the core texts for SQE study. In this post, I’d like to share a number of supplementary resources that may also be of use.
As mentioned earlier, I undertook the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS), rather than the Solicitors Qualifying Exam, and I studied solo. Part 1 of the QLTS was a multiple-choice test known as the MCT (akin to the multiple-choice assessment that is now SQE1). To prepare for this I used a combination of library books, Law Express books and certain manuals produced by a well-known course provider.
Whatever materials (or combination of materials) you choose, be sure to stay well acquainted with the SRA’s SQE1 Assessment Specification, and use it as a syllabus to guide your SQE1 studying.
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Additional SQE Study Material
I. Law Concentrate Series from Oxford University Press (OUP)*
These books have traditionally been a key resource for many people prepping for the QLTS. They are comprehensive, concise, and the subject areas align nicely with many SQE topics. They’re also inexpensive.
You can use these paperbacks as a primary revision resource (along with the “LPC Manuals” mentioned in this article) or you can pick up just a couple if, for example, you find you’re struggling with a certain subject and want some additional guidance.
These titles are available in paperback and on Kindle.
- Business Law Concentrate: Law Revision and Study Guide (4th ed.) – Marson & Ferris / Available here on Amazon
- Company Law Concentrate: Law Revision and Study Guide (7th ed.) – Roach / Available here on Amazon
- English Legal System Concentrate: Law Revision and Study Guide (2nd ed.) – Thomas & McGourlay / Available here on Amazon
- EU Law Concentrate: Law Revision and Study Guide (8th ed.) – Homewood & Smith / Available here on Amazon
- Public Law Concentrate: Law Revision and Study Guide (7th ed.) – Faragher / Available here on Amazon
- Contract Law Concentrate: Law Revision and Study Guide (5th ed.) – Poole, Devenney & Shaw-Mellors / Available here on Amazon
- Tort Law Concentrate: Law Revision and Study Guide (6th ed.) – Brennan / Available here on Amazon
- Equity & Trusts Concentrate: Law Revision and Study Guide (8th ed.) – McDonald & Street / Available here on Amazon
- Land Law Concentrate: Law Revision and Study Guide (8th ed.) – Sayles / Available here on Amazon
- Criminal Law Concentrate: Law Revision and Study Guide (8th ed.) – Herring / Available here on Amazon
- Human Rights Law Concentrate: Law Revision and Study Guide (4th ed.) – Rainey / Available here on Amazon
- Evidence Concentrate: Law Revision and Study (7th ed.) – Spencer & Spencer / Available here on Amazon
II. Law Express Series from Pearson*
As an alternative to the Law Concentrate series above, you could use these little Law Express books (along with the “LPC Manuals” – mentioned here). Like Law Concentrate, they are short and sweet (and cheap!)
You may also want to get just one or two, if you’d like a supplement to your other study materials. For example, land law was a tricky part of the multiple choice portion of the QLTS. I used the Land Law book from this series to help commit all the different rules to memory.
These titles are available in paperback and on Kindle.
- Company Law (6th ed.) – Taylor / Available here on Amazon
- Contract Law (8th ed.) – Finch & Fafinski / Available here on Amazon
- Tort Law (9th ed.) – Finch & Fafinski / Available here on Amazon
- English Legal System (9th ed.) – Finch & Fafinski / Available here on Amazon
- Constitutional and Administrative Law (8th ed.) – Taylor / Available here on Amazon
- Land Law (9th ed.) – Duddington / Available here on Amazon
- Equity and Trusts (9th ed.) – Duddington / Available here on Amazon
- EU Law (7th ed.) – Kirk / Available here on Amazon
- Criminal Law (9th ed.) – Finch & Fafinski / Available here on Amazon
- Evidence (5th ed.) – Taylor / Available here on Amazon
III. Law Drills by Practice Works (PW)*
Law Drills is a new AI-powered question bank. As the name implies, it’s focussed on practice drills ie. testing your legal knowledge through the many MCQs the platform.
As users answer questions, Law Drills identifies areas of weakness, and will then tailor future question sets to users’ specific learning needs. Explanations are provided for all MCQs, and users can chat with an AI-assistant alongside each question. The assistant provides fuller explanations of concepts, related legal information, tips and more.
Law Drills is available on desktop and as an app – and you can try out both for free. If you’d like to sign up you can use the code SQESELFSTUDY to get 10% off.
IV. Skilfully Passing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (2nd ed.) by Neeta Halai*
This resource is different than most SQE books as it doesn’t cover substantive law, but provides practical guidance on how to approach each section of the exam.
In addition to addressing SQE1/FLK, there are separate chapters on how to approach each SQE2 assessment type. The book also covers communication skills, qualifying work experience (QWE), writing in professional English and managing nerves.
Skilfully is available as a paperback and also on Kindle. You can find it here on Amazon.
VI. Devil’s Advocate: Online Legal Revision Studio from Legal Revision Studio (LRS)
This is a new subscription-style offering from a small UK-based company. For a monthly fee, subscribers get access to mini-lectures, practice notes, flashcards and mocks. The pricing structure – and the heavy emphasis on practice questions – make LRS somewhat unique. As of October 2024, candidates can try out Devil’s Advocate for as little as £22 per month. You’ll get access to many question sets and can cancel at any time. You can purchase a fixed or rolling subscription online at wearedevilsadvocate.com.
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I hope that the above is helpful.
If you know of any other resources, please drop a note in the comments. Also be sure to check out my next post, SQE1: Sample Questions & Mock Exams (for Free), for info on where to find practice sets.
Best,
Lawyer in London