Topic Checklist
Select your level of knowledge for each subtopic.
Business Law and Practice
Business and organisational characteristics
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole trader | |||
| Ordinary partnerships | |||
| Limited liability partnerships | |||
| Private limited companies | |||
| Public limited companies | |||
| Legal personality | |||
| Limited liability |
Company formation
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incorporation process and requirements | |||
| Constitutional documents | |||
| Companies House filing requirements | |||
| Trading name and registered office | |||
| Directors, shareholders, and people with significant control | |||
| Changing from private to public company | |||
| Shelf companies |
Partnership and LLP formation
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal requirements | |||
| Partnership and LLP agreements | |||
| Registration process for LLPs |
Corporate governance and compliance
Partnership governance
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decision-making and authority of partners | |||
| Procedures under the Partnership Act 1890 | |||
| Common provisions in partnership agreements | |||
| Dissolution and sale as a going concern |
Business finance
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funding options: debt and equity | |||
| Types of security (fixed and floating charges) | |||
| Distribution of profits and gains | |||
| Financial records and accounting requirements | |||
| Share capital and shareholders | |||
| Allotment and transfer of shares | |||
| Share buybacks |
Income tax
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chargeable persons and entities | |||
| Basis of charge | |||
| Types of income | |||
| Main reliefs and exemptions | |||
| Calculation and collection of tax | |||
| Tax bands and rates | |||
| Payment methods and deadlines | |||
| Anti-avoidance provisions |
Capital gains tax
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chargeable persons and entities | |||
| Basis of charge | |||
| Calculation of gains and allowable deductions | |||
| Main reliefs and exemptions | |||
| Calculation and collection of tax | |||
| Payment methods and deadlines | |||
| Anti-avoidance provisions |
Corporation tax
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basis of charge | |||
| Calculation of taxable profits | |||
| Payment and collection of tax | |||
| Tax treatment of company distributions to shareholders | |||
| Anti-avoidance provisions |
Value added tax
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key principles (scope, supply, input and output tax) | |||
| Registration requirements | |||
| Issuing VAT invoices | |||
| Returns and payment of VAT | |||
| Recordkeeping and compliance |
Inheritance tax
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business property relief | |||
| Eligibility criteria | |||
| Application and calculations | |||
| Interaction with other taxes | |||
| Anti-avoidance provisions |
Dispute Resolution
Introduction to dispute resolution
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Different options for dispute resolution | |||
| Characteristics of arbitration, mediation, and litigation as appropriate mechanisms |
Analysis of merits of claim or defence
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessing strengths and weaknesses of a claim | |||
| Evaluating legal and factual issues | |||
| Consideration of potential outcomes |
Pre-action considerations and steps
Commencing a claim
Responding to a claim
Progressing a claim
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Requests for further information about statements of case | |||
| Amendments to statements of case | |||
| Interim applications | |||
| Procedure for making applications | |||
| Purpose, procedure, and evidence for specific applications (summary judgment, interim payments, interim injunctions) |
Case management
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| The overriding objective | |||
| Track allocation | |||
| Case management directions for fast and multi-track cases | |||
| Non-compliance with orders, sanctions, and relief | |||
| Costs and case management conferences |
Evidence and disclosure
Preparation for trial
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summoning witnesses | |||
| Purpose of pre-trial checklists and hearings | |||
| Preparation of trial bundles | |||
| Trial procedure | |||
| Modes of address and courtroom etiquette | |||
| Leading vs. non-leading questions |
The trial and judgment
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trial proceedings | |||
| The nature and effect of judgments |
Costs
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costs management and budgeting | |||
| The indemnity principle | |||
| Costs management orders | |||
| Inter-partes costs orders (interim and final) | |||
| Non-party costs | |||
| Qualified one-way costs shifting | |||
| Part 36 and other settlement offers | |||
| Security for costs | |||
| Fixed, summary, and detailed assessment of costs |
Appeals
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permission for appeals | |||
| Destination and grounds of appeals |
Enforcement of judgments
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enforcement of money judgments | |||
| Oral examination | |||
| Methods of enforcement | |||
| Enforcement procedures in other jurisdictions |
Contract
Existence and formation of a contract
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offer and acceptance | |||
| Consideration | |||
| Intention to create legal relations | |||
| Certainty | |||
| Capacity | |||
| Privity of contract and rights of third parties |
Contents of a contract
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express terms | |||
| Incorporation of terms | |||
| Terms implied by common law and statute | |||
| Exemption clauses | |||
| Interpretation of contract terms (conditions, warranties, and innominate terms) | |||
| Variation of contract terms |
Causation and remoteness
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principles of causation in contract law | |||
| Remoteness of damage | |||
| Application of Hadley v Baxendale |
Vitiating elements
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Misrepresentation | |||
| Mistake | |||
| Unfair contract terms | |||
| Duress and undue influence | |||
| Illegality |
Discharge of contract and remedies
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Termination of contract (expiry, breach, frustration) | |||
| Basic principles of restitution and unjust enrichment in termination | |||
| Damages | |||
| Liquidated sums and penalties | |||
| Specific performance | |||
| Injunctions | |||
| Duty to mitigate | |||
| Indemnities | |||
| Guarantees |
Unjust enrichment
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic principles | |||
| Restitution in the context of contract termination | |||
| Quantum meruit claims |
Tort
Introduction to tort law
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview of tort law and negligence | |||
| Types of loss in tort | |||
| Aims and functions of tort law |
Negligence
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duty of care | |||
| Established duties of care | |||
| Novel duties of care (Donoghue v Stevenson and Caparo test) | |||
| Exceptions: control, assumption of responsibility, creation or adoption of risk | |||
| Failure to prevent third-party harm |
Breach of duty
Causation in negligence
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factual causation: 'but for' test | |||
| Multiple causes: material contribution to loss | |||
| Material increase in risk | |||
| Multiple causes and multiple injuries | |||
| Apportionment of liability between tortfeasors | |||
| Legal causation: acts of God, third parties, and the claimant |
Remoteness of damage
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasonably foreseeable harm | |||
| Type of harm vs. exact manner of occurrence | |||
| Extent of damage need not be foreseeable |
Defences to negligence
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consent (volenti non fit injuria) | |||
| Voluntary assumption of risk | |||
| Consent in employment and rescue situations | |||
| Contributory negligence | |||
| Failure to take reasonable care for one's own safety | |||
| Special considerations in contributory negligence | |||
| Illegality (ex turpi causa non oritur actio) | |||
| Necessity |
Remedies for personal injury and death claims
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compensatory damages | |||
| General damages: pain, suffering, and loss of amenity | |||
| Loss of earnings pre- and post-trial | |||
| Deductions from damages | |||
| Damages in cases of death |
Claims for pure economic loss
Claims for psychiatric harm
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition of pure psychiatric harm | |||
| Primary victims | |||
| Secondary victims | |||
| Alcock criteria for secondary victims | |||
| Rescuers and bystanders |
Employers' primary liability
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duty to provide safe equipment and machinery | |||
| Duty to provide a safe workplace | |||
| Duty to provide a safe system of work with adequate supervision | |||
| Stress at work claims | |||
| Remaining elements of an employer's liability claim |
Vicarious liability
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principles of vicarious liability | |||
| Employment relationships and relationships akin to employment | |||
| Tort committed in the course of employment | |||
| 'Frolic' cases and deviation from employment | |||
| Close connection test | |||
| Employer's right to indemnity |
Occupiers' liability
Product liability
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product liability in negligence | |||
| Duty of care of manufacturers | |||
| Intermediate examination by consumer | |||
| Consumer Protection Act 1987 | |||
| Definitions of 'defect' and 'product' | |||
| Who is liable under the Act | |||
| Defences under the Act |
Nuisance and the rule in Rylands v Fletcher
Legal Systems
Introduction to the legal system of England and Wales
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview of the legal system |
Sources of law
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary legislation: the structure of an Act of Parliament | |||
| Development of case law: the doctrine of precedent | |||
| Relationship between statute law and case law |
The judiciary and the court system
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| The judiciary: roles and responsibilities | |||
| Court hierarchy and jurisdiction | |||
| Key courts and tribunals | |||
| The High Court | |||
| The Court of Appeal | |||
| The Supreme Court | |||
| The appeal system | |||
| Appeals to the Supreme Court | |||
| The appeals test |
Rights of audience
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition and scope of rights of audience | |||
| Rights of audience in different courts |
Statutory interpretation
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rules of statutory interpretation | |||
| The literal rule | |||
| The golden rule | |||
| The mischief rule | |||
| The purposive approach | |||
| Presumptions in statutory interpretation | |||
| Aids to statutory interpretation and construction | |||
| Intrinsic aids | |||
| Extrinsic aids |
Introduction to the UK constitution
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Characteristics of the UK constitution | |||
| Sources of constitutional law | |||
| Role of constitutional conventions |
Parliament and parliamentary sovereignty
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure and functions of Parliament | |||
| Principles of parliamentary sovereignty | |||
| Limitations on parliamentary sovereignty |
The monarch and the Crown
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Role of the monarch | |||
| The Crown and its constitutional significance | |||
| Royal prerogative powers |
Prerogative powers
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition and scope of prerogative powers | |||
| Relationship with legislation and constitutional conventions | |||
| Judicial control over prerogative powers |
Central government and accountability
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure of central government | |||
| Ministerial responsibility | |||
| Mechanisms of accountability | |||
| Parliamentary privilege |
Status of devolved institutions
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devolution in the UK | |||
| Powers and functions of devolved governments | |||
| Relationship between devolved institutions and Westminster |
Legitimacy, separation of powers, and the rule of law
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concepts of legitimacy in public law | |||
| Principles of the rule of law | |||
| Separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judiciary |
Legislation and legislative procedures
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enactment of primary legislation | |||
| Implementation and repeal of legislation | |||
| Secondary (delegated) legislation | |||
| Powers and procedures for legislative scrutiny |
Public order law
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulation of processions and assemblies | |||
| Conditions and prohibitions on assemblies | |||
| Breach of the peace | |||
| Balancing public order and freedom of expression |
Judicial review
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nature and purpose of judicial review | |||
| Supervisory jurisdiction of the courts | |||
| Decisions subject to judicial review | |||
| Grounds for judicial review: illegality, irrationality, procedural impropriety, legitimate expectation | |||
| Standing (locus standi) | |||
| Time limits for bringing a claim | |||
| Remedies available in judicial review |
Human Rights Act 1998 and the European Convention on Human Rights
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key rights under the European Convention on Human Rights | |||
| Sections 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 | |||
| Interpretation of legislation under the Human Rights Act | |||
| Application to acts by public authorities | |||
| Remedies for breaches of human rights | |||
| Impact of the Human Rights Act on UK law |
Retained EU law and the UK constitution
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sources of retained EU law | |||
| Categories, status, and interpretation of retained EU law | |||
| Modification and withdrawal of retained EU law | |||
| Parliamentary sovereignty and retained EU law | |||
| Relationship between UK law and retained EU law post-Brexit |
Legal Services
Introduction to legal services and regulation
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview of legal services in England and Wales | |||
| Role of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) | |||
| Principles of risk-based regulation | |||
| Regulatory objectives and professional principles |
Principles and risk-based regulation
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reserved legal activities | |||
| Professional indemnity insurance (PII) | |||
| Other regulated providers of legal services | |||
| Understanding risk management in legal practice | |||
| Role of PII in risk management |
The Equality Act 2010
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protected characteristics and direct discrimination | |||
| Indirect discrimination | |||
| Victimisation and harassment | |||
| Duty to make reasonable adjustments | |||
| Equality and diversity obligations for solicitors | |||
| Application within legal services |
Money laundering and anti-money laundering regulations
Financial services and regulation
Funding options for legal services
| Subtopic | I don't know this subject | I partially know this subject | I know this subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private retainers | |||
| Conditional fee agreements (CFAs) | |||
| Damages-based agreements (DBAs) | |||
| Fixed fees | |||
| Eligibility criteria for criminal and civil legal aid | |||
| Third-party funding | |||
| Legal expenses insurance | |||
| Alternative funding mechanisms |
Overview
Preparing for the SQE1 FLK1 exam involves careful review and systematic planning. Our free topic checklist is designed to help you record your progress and highlight areas that may need additional study. This page offers straightforward instructions for using the checklist, along with links to free study materials that support your exam preparation.
How to Use the Topic Checklist
Follow these steps to get the most out of the topic checklist:
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Mark Completed Topics: Check off topics as you finish them to keep a clear record of your progress.
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Identify Study Priorities: Use the checklist to pinpoint subjects where further review is needed.
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Plan Your Study Sessions: Refer to our study planner to arrange your daily study schedule based on the topics you need to work on.
Free Study Resources
To further support your exam preparation, we have prepared a collection of free study guides covering all SQE1 FLK1 and FLK2 topics. Explore our free resources below:
Free FLK1 Study Resources
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Business Law and Practice: Review the essential principles of business law and their practical applications.
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Contract: Understand the basics of contract law, including formation and enforcement.
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Dispute Resolution: Examine different methods for resolving legal disputes.
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Legal Services: Learn about the operations and regulations related to legal services.
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Legal Systems: Compare various legal systems and study their main rules.
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Tort: Study the principles of tort law, including issues of negligence and liability.
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400+ Free SQE1 FLK1 Practice Questions: Test your understanding with a wide range of practice questions.
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400+ Free SQE1 FLK1 Practice Flashcards: Use flashcards for quick reviews and to reinforce key topics.
Free FLK2 Study Resources
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Criminal Law and Practice: Study criminal law and review the key procedures and regulations.
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Land Law: Examine the rules governing land ownership and property rights.
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Property Practice: Gain a clear understanding of property transactions and real estate practices.
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Solicitors Accounts: Learn about managing and regulating solicitors' financial accounts.
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Trusts: Review the basics of creating and managing trusts for estate planning.
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Wills and the Administration of Estates: Get an overview of the processes involved in wills and estate administration.
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400+ Free SQE1 FLK2 Practice Questions: Prepare with an extensive set of practice questions to assess your readiness.
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400+ Free SQE1 FLK2 Practice Flashcards: Reinforce your study with flashcards covering key topics.
Using this topic checklist along with our free study resources will help you organize your review sessions and address subjects that need extra attention. Stay organized and follow your study plan to build confidence as you prepare for the exam.
Happy studying!
