Candidates informed that the new Sentencing law changes will not be included in the April exams
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has confirmed that recent legislative changes will not be included in the assessment scope for candidates sitting the April 2026 Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE2).
The clarification relates to the cut-off date for examinable law, which has been set at 28 December 2025 for the April 2026 assessment window. As a result, provisions introduced after that date fall outside the scope of the examination.
The SRA specifically confirmed that provisions of the Sentencing Act 2026, which came into force on 22 March 2026, will not be examinable in the upcoming SQE2 sitting. The announcement was made to provide clarity for candidates preparing for the assessment.
The SQE2 is the second stage of the qualification process for solicitors in England and Wales and assesses practical legal skills across a range of areas, including advocacy, client interviewing and case analysis. The content tested is based on the Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) specification, which is subject to defined cut-off dates for each assessment window.
The April 2026 SQE2 assessments are scheduled to begin on 28 April, with written assessments taking place first, followed by oral assessments across multiple sittings in May.
The SRA stated that the clarification is intended to assist candidates in focusing their preparation on the relevant body of law. It also confirmed that the same information will be included in candidates’ joining instructions ahead of the assessment.
Cut-off dates are a standard feature of the SQE framework and are designed to ensure consistency and fairness across examination sittings. They define the latest point at which legal developments may be included in the syllabus, allowing candidates to prepare with certainty.
The SRA publishes assessment schedules and cut-off dates in advance as part of its broader guidance for candidates. These dates vary between sittings and are linked to the timing of each assessment window.
The confirmation regarding the Sentencing Act 2026 highlights the practical impact of these cut-off rules, particularly where legislative changes occur close to examination periods.
Candidates preparing for the April 2026 SQE2 are therefore advised to focus on the law as it stood up to and including 28 December 2025.