Identifying Ethics Issues

Ethics is not a standalone subject in SQE1—it’s woven throughout the entire assessment. Many questions that appear to test black-letter law also carry embedded ethical dimensions. Candidates who focus only on legal correctness without considering professional duties risk missing the best answer.

A common trap is selecting an option that seems legally sound in isolation but would breach a solicitor’s professional obligations. 

For example, a tort or dispute resolution question might include a side detail suggesting a confidentiality concern or potential conflict of interest. If one answer reflects a correct legal step but would violate the SRA Principles—say, by disclosing information improperly or failing to obtain client consent—it is unlikely to be correct. 

The best answer will always be both legally accurate and ethically compliant.

SQE1 expects you to read every scenario with an awareness of your role as a solicitor. That means thinking not only in terms of doctrine, but in terms of duties to the client, the court, and the profession. 

Ask yourself: does this action align with the SRA Code of Conduct? Am I acting with integrity, maintaining confidentiality, and avoiding conflicts? Ethical red flags won’t always be the focus of the question, but they are often there, and spotting them is critical.

 Client-Centred Perspective

Ethical decision-making in the SQE assessment also means maintaining a client-centred perspective. You're not just reciting law; you're advising a client. 

That means considering the client’s objectives and the practical outcome. An option might reflect a valid legal route, but ignore what the client actually wants—speed, privacy, cost-efficiency. 

For instance, if the client wants to resolve a dispute quickly, an answer that suggests litigation, even if legally correct, may not be the best one if another option recommends mediation or negotiation. The right answer isn’t just legally possible; it must also make sense in the real-world context of solicitor-client advice.