Introduction

Introduction

Welcome to the introductory chapter of **Property Practice**, tailored to prepare you for the **Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)**. This course aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills required to function competently as a **newly qualified solicitor** in the realm of property law. This first chapter maps out the **SRA assessment objectives**, the **core knowledge areas** the course will cover, and the **interdisciplinary approach** the SQE expects — so that you know exactly what is examined before you begin the substantive study of freehold and leasehold transactions, finance, leases, security of tenure, planning and the taxation of property.

Assessment focus

Property Practice is assessed within **SQE1 FLK2**. The SRA requires candidates to demonstrate the ability to **apply core legal principles and rules** effectively to **realistic client-based and ethical scenarios** — not merely to recall the law. Questions are **single best answer questions (SBAQs)** and may draw upon **any combination** of subject areas encountered in real practice (the **interdisciplinary** approach). For Property Practice you must be able to handle the full **freehold and leasehold transaction** from title investigation through to completion and post-completion, the **grant and assignment of commercial leases**, **security of tenure under Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954**, and the **taxation of property transactions** (SDLT, LTT, VAT and CGT), all while observing the **SRA Principles** and **Code of Conduct**. This is a **closed-book** assessment.

Study tips

1) Use the **SRA assessment objectives** as your revision checklist — each objective maps to one or more later chapters. 2) Always think in terms of the **stages of a transaction**: pre-contract searches and enquiries → exchange → pre-completion → completion → post-completion. 3) Distinguish **freehold from leasehold** and **residential from commercial** at the outset of every scenario — the rules differ. 4) Note that **Wales** has its own land transaction tax (**LTT**) administered by the **Welsh Revenue Authority**, whereas England uses **SDLT** (HMRC). 5) Practise applying the law to **client-based and ethical scenarios**, and be ready to **integrate** Property Practice with other FLK subjects such as Land Law, Trusts and Professional Conduct.