SQE1 Legal Services.

Which of the following activities is a reserved legal activity under the Legal Services Act 2007?

1. Providing general legal advice to a client about their contractual rights under a commercial agreement.
2. Preparing a transfer of freehold land that must be registered at the Land Registry.
3. Negotiating a financial settlement on behalf of a client in a divorce matter. Correct
4. Representing a client at an employment tribunal hearing.
5. Drafting a shareholder agreement for a newly formed private limited company.

The client has instructed the firm to handle a personal injury claim arising from a road traffic accident. The client has explained that they cannot read standard print documents and needs documents in an accessible electronic format compatible with their screen reader. The firm's practice manager says that providing documents in alternative formats would be time-consuming and costly, and suggests sending the documents by post as usual.

A solicitor's firm is instructed by a new client who is visually impaired and uses screen reader software. The firm's standard client care letters and engagement terms are only available in standard print format. Which of the following best describes the firm's obligations under the Equality Act 2010?

1. The firm has no obligation to change its standard format, as the Equality Act only requires reasonable adjustments to physical premises, not to documents.
2. The firm has a duty to make reasonable adjustments by providing documents in an accessible format, and this duty is anticipatory rather than reactive. Correct
3. The firm must provide documents in an accessible format only if the client is willing to pay the additional cost of producing them.
4. The firm only needs to make adjustments once the client makes a formal complaint under the firm's complaints procedure.
5. The firm can decline to act for the client if making the necessary adjustments would cause too much inconvenience to staff.

A solicitor who works as an in-house lawyer for a large manufacturing company wishes to understand the scope of the SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors, RELs and RFLs. Which of the following correctly states the position?

1. The Code of Conduct for Solicitors applies to the solicitor personally regardless of where they work, including in-house, in private practice, or as a freelancer. Correct
2. The Code of Conduct for Solicitors only applies to solicitors working in private practice at SRA-authorised firms.
3. In-house solicitors are governed only by their employer's internal compliance policies and are not subject to the SRA Code of Conduct.
4. The Code of Conduct for Firms applies to the solicitor individually when working in-house, as the employer company is treated as the regulated entity.
5. The Code of Conduct for Solicitors applies only if the solicitor chooses to hold a current practising certificate.

Under the Legal Services Act 2007, which body is responsible for overseeing approved regulators such as the SRA?

1. The Ministry of Justice, as the government department responsible for the administration of justice.
2. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, as the body responsible for maintaining standards across the legal profession.
3. The Legal Services Board, which supervises approved regulators and monitors their compliance with the regulatory objectives. Correct
4. The Bar Standards Board, which has concurrent jurisdiction with the SRA over all legal service regulators.
5. The Lord Chancellor, who has statutory responsibility for the supervision of all legal regulators in England and Wales.