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100+ Free Solicitor Advocate Practice Questions

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Key Facts: Solicitor Advocate Exam

2 papers

Professional Conduct + Practice & Procedure

Law Society of Scotland

50%

Pass Mark in Each Written Exam

Law Society of Scotland

2 routes

Civil (Court of Session) and Criminal (High Court)

Law Society of Scotland

£125

Enrolment Fee per Exam

Law Society of Scotland (2026)

~5 years

Typical Post-Admission Court Experience

Rule C4, Practice Rules 2011

100+

Practice Questions Here

OpenExamPrep question bank

The Solicitor Advocate examinations let an experienced Scottish solicitor obtain extended rights of audience in the higher courts, administered by the Law Society of Scotland. There are separate civil (Court of Session) and criminal (High Court of Justiciary) routes, each requiring two written papers. Professional Conduct is a closed-book two-hour exam focused on Rule C4.3 and Rule C4.4 and the Standards of Conduct; Practice & Procedure is an open-book two-and-a-half-hour exam on the relevant higher-court procedure. Candidates must score at least 50% in each paper. The wider process, governed by Rule C4 of the Practice Rules 2011, also requires substantial post-admission court experience (typically around five years), a sitting-in programme, and an approved course of training. Fees include a £125 enrolment fee per exam plus application and course-of-training fees; the Law Society of Scotland does not publish pass rates.

Sample Solicitor Advocate Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Solicitor Advocate exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A solicitor advocate has accepted instructions to appear at a proof in the Court of Session. A long-standing client then asks the solicitor advocate to attend an unrelated sheriff court diet on the same day. Under Rule C4.3 (Order of Precedence, Instructions and Representation), how should the solicitor advocate treat the Court of Session instruction relative to other professional obligations?
A.The client's longer relationship determines which instruction is given priority
B.Instructions to appear in a superior court take precedence over any other professional obligation
C.The instruction received in writing always defeats one received orally, regardless of court
D.Both diets must be covered personally or the solicitor advocate must decline both
Explanation: Rule C4.3 provides that where a solicitor advocate accepts instructions to appear in a superior court (Court of Session or High Court of Justiciary), those instructions take precedence over any other professional obligation and are ordered according to the rule's precedence list. The superior-court diet must therefore be honoured and alternative arrangements made for the sheriff court work.
2The Professional Conduct examination for extended rights of audience is described by the Law Society of Scotland as which of the following?
A.A closed book examination in which no materials may be taken in
B.An open book examination permitting the Practice Rules to be consulted
C.An oral examination conducted before a panel of senior counsel
D.A take-home assessment submitted within seven days
Explanation: The Law Society of Scotland states that for the Professional Conduct examination candidates are not allowed to take any materials in; it is a closed book examination. Candidates are expected to have extensive knowledge of Rule C4.3, Rule C4.4 and the general principles of professional ethics, but copies of the rules may not be used.
3A solicitor advocate is conducting a High Court trial and becomes aware of a reported decision of the Inner House that is directly binding and is plainly adverse to the client's position. Opposing counsel has not cited it. What is the solicitor advocate's duty to the court?
A.To draw the binding authority to the court's attention even though it harms the client's case
B.To remain silent, as the duty of confidentiality to the client overrides disclosure
C.To disclose it only if the judge directly asks whether any authority is against the submission
D.To disclose it only after first obtaining the client's express permission
Explanation: A solicitor advocate owes an overriding duty to the court not to mislead it and must bring to the court's attention any binding authority or relevant statutory provision of which they are aware, even if it is adverse to the client. The duty to the court here prevails over the client's immediate interest.
4During a High Court trial the accused privately and unequivocally confesses guilt to the solicitor advocate but insists on continuing to plead not guilty. Which course is consistent with the solicitor advocate's professional obligations?
A.Continue to act and put forward an alibi the advocate now knows to be false because the client is entitled to a defence
B.Immediately withdraw and inform the court of the reason for withdrawing
C.Inform the procurator fiscal of the confession so the Crown is not misled
D.Continue to act, testing the sufficiency of the Crown evidence, but not assert as fact anything known to be untrue or lead a positive case inconsistent with the confession
Explanation: Where a client confesses guilt but wishes to maintain a not guilty plea, the solicitor advocate may continue to act and may test the Crown case and submit there is insufficient evidence, but must not assert as fact anything known to be untrue nor advance an affirmative case inconsistent with the confession (for example a false alibi). This reconciles the duty to the client with the duty not to mislead the court.
5Two clients with conflicting interests in the same litigation both wish to instruct the same solicitor advocate. Applying Rule B1 Standards of Conduct, what should the solicitor advocate do?
A.Decline to act for both where there is a conflict between the interests of the clients
B.Act for whichever client instructed first and let the other find separate representation
C.Act for both provided each pays a separate fee
D.Act for both and simply avoid discussing one client's case with the other
Explanation: Rule B1 (Standards of Conduct) prohibits a solicitor from acting for two or more clients where there is a conflict between their interests. Where such a conflict exists the solicitor advocate cannot act for both and the clients must be separately represented.
6A former client telephones a solicitor advocate seeking confirmation of advice given several years ago in a matter that is now closed. What is the correct position on confidentiality under the Standards of Conduct?
A.The duty of confidentiality continues with no time limit and survives the end of the retainer
B.The duty of confidentiality ends when the file is closed and the retainer terminates
C.The duty of confidentiality lasts only for five years after the matter concludes
D.The duty of confidentiality ends automatically once the client dies
Explanation: Under the Standards of Conduct, a solicitor and their staff must keep the client's business confidential and there is no time limit to this obligation; only the client, Parliament or the court can override it. The duty therefore continues after the matter is closed and after the retainer ends.
7A client tells a solicitor advocate, during a consultation, that he intends to commit a serious assault on a witness after the trial. How does the duty of confidentiality apply?
A.Confidentiality applies absolutely and the disclosure may never be revealed
B.Confidentiality applies unless the assault has already taken place
C.Confidentiality may be set aside only with the written consent of the Law Society
D.Confidentiality does not apply where the client indicates an intention to commit a crime
Explanation: The Standards of Conduct provide that confidentiality does not apply when a client indicates to their solicitor that they intend to commit a crime. A stated intention to assault a witness in the future falls outside the protection of confidentiality.
8In examining a party litigant who is conducting his own defence in the sheriff court, what does the Standards of Conduct require of a solicitor advocate questioning that person?
A.To press every available technical advantage because the person chose to be unrepresented
B.To co-operate with the court in allowing the unrepresented person to state their case and to treat them with respect and courtesy
C.To refuse to address the unrepresented person and deal only with the bench
D.To take over the cross-examination of the party litigant's own witnesses
Explanation: The Standards of Conduct require that solicitors treat those who give evidence with appropriate respect and courtesy, and where they must question a person who has no solicitor and is representing themselves, they must co-operate with the court in allowing that person to state their case. Courtesy to the unrepresented and assistance to the court are central.
9Under Rule C4.3, after a solicitor advocate has accepted instructions to appear, acceptance is described as a professional commitment on which the client and the court are entitled to rely. When may the solicitor advocate cancel those instructions?
A.Only where there is good cause to do so
B.At any time, provided reasonable notice is given to the instructing solicitor
C.Whenever a more lucrative instruction is later received
D.Only with the prior approval of the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates
Explanation: Rule C4.3 provides that acceptance of instructions involves a professional commitment on which the client and the court are entitled to rely, and a solicitor advocate is not entitled, without good cause, to cancel instructions once accepted. Good cause is the governing test.
10A solicitor advocate makes a statement of fact to the bench in the course of a motion. What standard must that statement meet?
A.It need only be a reasonable inference from the client's instructions
B.It may be advanced even if unverified, provided it is later corrected if challenged
C.It is governed only by the duty to the client and not by any duty to the court
D.It must be scrupulously accurate because the advocate is an officer of the court and the court relies on the statement
Explanation: Statements of fact to the court are made on the responsibility of the solicitor advocate as an officer of the court, who must be scrupulously careful that anything stated as fact is justified by the information in their possession. The court is entitled to rely on the advocate's word, so accuracy is paramount.

About the Solicitor Advocate Exam

The Solicitor Advocate examinations are the written assessments a practising Scottish solicitor must pass to gain extended rights of audience in Scotland's higher courts. There are two routes - civil (Court of Session) and criminal (High Court of Justiciary) - and each route requires two written papers: a closed-book Professional Conduct exam lasting two hours and an open-book Practice and Procedure exam lasting two and a half hours. Candidates must achieve at least 50% in each paper. These exams sit within a wider process governed by Rule C4 of the Law Society of Scotland Practice Rules 2011, which also requires substantial post-admission court experience, a sitting-in programme, and an approved course of training. Because the subject matter is Scots law and procedure, the exams test the distinct rules of the Court of Session and the High Court of Justiciary rather than English procedure.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

Professional Conduct 2 hours; Practice & Procedure 2.5 hours

Passing Score

50% in each written exam

Exam Fee

£125 enrolment fee per exam (plus separate application and course-of-training fees) (Law Society of Scotland)

Solicitor Advocate Exam Content Outline

35%

Professional Conduct

Rule C4.3 (order of precedence, instructions, and representation) and Rule C4.4 (conduct of solicitor advocates), the Standards of Conduct, duties to the court and to clients, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, and the heightened ethical obligations of higher-court advocacy - a closed-book two-hour paper

33%

Practice & Procedure - Civil (Court of Session)

Inner House and Outer House procedure, the Rules of the Court of Session, summonses and petitions, pleadings, motions and proofs, reclaiming motions and appeals, and expenses - an open-book two-and-a-half-hour paper for the civil route

32%

Practice & Procedure - Criminal (High Court of Justiciary)

Solemn procedure, indictments and preliminary hearings, bail and committal, the conduct of jury trials, evidence and vulnerable witnesses, sentencing, and criminal appeals to the Appeal Court - an open-book two-and-a-half-hour paper for the criminal route

How to Pass the Solicitor Advocate Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 50% in each written exam
  • Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
  • Time limit: Professional Conduct 2 hours; Practice & Procedure 2.5 hours
  • Exam fee: £125 enrolment fee per exam (plus separate application and course-of-training fees)

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Solicitor Advocate Study Tips from Top Performers

1Commit Rule C4.3 (order of precedence, instructions, representation) and Rule C4.4 (conduct of solicitor advocates) to memory for the closed-book Professional Conduct paper - you cannot take materials in, so recall and applied judgment matter most
2Prepare a tabbed, well-indexed bundle of court rules and case reports for the open-book Practice and Procedure paper so you can locate the relevant rule quickly rather than reading during the exam
3Study the distinct Scots higher-court procedure - the Rules of the Court of Session for the civil route or solemn procedure in the High Court of Justiciary for the criminal route - rather than English civil or criminal procedure
4Both papers must reach 50%, so do not over-invest in one paper at the expense of the other; balance your revision across Professional Conduct and Practice and Procedure
5Use your sitting-in observations as live revision: link the procedure you watch in the Court of Session or High Court of Justiciary to the rules you are studying
6Practise applying the Standards of Conduct to advocacy scenarios, including duties to the court, candour, and conflicts, because the Professional Conduct paper tests judgment as well as knowledge of the rules

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Solicitor Advocate examinations in Scotland?

They are the written assessments a practising Scottish solicitor must pass to gain extended rights of audience in the higher courts, administered by the Law Society of Scotland. There are two routes - civil (Court of Session) and criminal (High Court of Justiciary) - and each requires two written papers: a Professional Conduct exam and a Practice and Procedure exam covering the relevant Scots law and court procedure.

How are the two written papers structured?

Each route has a Professional Conduct exam, which is a closed-book paper lasting two hours where no materials are permitted, and a Practice and Procedure exam, which is an open-book paper lasting two and a half hours where candidates may use published books and case reports. Candidates must achieve at least 50% in each paper to pass.

What is the pass mark for the Solicitor Advocate exams?

Candidates must achieve at least 50% in each of the two written papers - Professional Conduct and Practice and Procedure - for their chosen route. Both papers must be passed; a strong mark in one does not compensate for a fail in the other. The Law Society of Scotland does not publish overall pass rates for these examinations.

What do the Solicitor Advocate exams cost?

There is a £125 enrolment fee for each written exam. In addition, candidates pay an application fee of around £545 (civil) or £565 (criminal) and a course-of-training fee of roughly £3,740 plus VAT (civil) or £3,630 plus VAT (criminal). Fees are subject to change, so confirm the current amounts on the Law Society of Scotland website.

Who is eligible to become a solicitor advocate?

You must be a qualified, practising Scottish solicitor with a current practising certificate and substantial post-admission court experience, typically around five years, as required under Rule C4 of the Law Society of Scotland Practice Rules 2011. The process also includes a sitting-in programme, an approved course of training, and a fitness-and-properness assessment by the Rights of Audience Sub-Committee.

Are the civil and criminal routes separate?

Yes. The civil route grants rights of audience in the Court of Session (and the UK Supreme Court and Privy Council), while the criminal route grants rights in the High Court of Justiciary and the Appeal Court. Each route has its own course of training and its own pair of written papers, and the exam diets are typically held at different times of year - civil around May and criminal around December.