Content and risk management - Outlining clear action points ...

Learning Outcomes

After reading this article, you will be able to compose structured action plans, set effective timelines, and manage risk in typical legal matters. You will understand the process of transforming complex instructions into clear deliverables, be able to assess, communicate, and record practical steps, and implement contingency planning. You will also know how to present information in a way that enables clients and colleagues to track progress and responsibilities—essential for SQE2 situational tasks.

SQE2 Syllabus

For SQE2, you are required to understand and be able to demonstrate practical risk and project management skills in client-facing scenarios. Use this checklist during your revision to focus on key exam requirements:

• identifying and extracting essential tasks from facts or instructions
• creating clear, actionable next steps for clients and colleagues
• producing practical timelines, including deadlines and responsible parties
• incorporating contingency arrangements and risk management in advice or memorandum
• documenting action points and risk factors for internal or client records

Test Your Knowledge

Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision.

1. What is the difference between a task-based action point and a contingency in client advice?
2. Name three factors to consider when setting deadlines for legal steps.
3. Why is it important to assign responsibility for each action point in project management for legal work?
4. What does an effective risk management note within a client report typically include?

Introduction

Legal matters rarely progress in a straight line. As a lawyer, you must be able to convert complex instructions and ongoing developments into a precise plan of action, anticipate risk, and document both. Content and risk management means setting out what needs to be done, when, by whom, and with what contingency if expected plans fail. This article shows you how to outline and explain such action points and timelines for SQE2 tasks.

Defining Action Points

Action points are the concrete steps that must be taken to move a matter forward. In practice and in the SQE2 exam, these must be specific, practical and include both what is to be done and by whom.

Key Term: action point
A concrete, specific step recorded or communicated in written legal advice or documents, stating exactly what must be done by a named person by a given time.

Building Timelines

Timelines are schedules setting out when tasks are to be completed, including key dates and deadlines. Effective timelines prevent delay, help manage expectations, and provide a record of progress.

Key Term: timeline
A sequential list or schedule mapping all required actions, deadlines, and responsible parties necessary to achieve a legal outcome.

Managing Risks and Contingencies

Risk management in legal work means identifying possible barriers or problems that might prevent or delay an action point, and setting out backup or contingency steps.

Key Term: contingency plan
A predefined alternative action to be taken if a risk event occurs, ensuring continuity or protection of a client's interest.

Key Term: risk factor
Any event or uncertainty that could prevent an action point from succeeding within the usual course of a legal matter.

Assigning Responsibility

Every action point should clarify who is responsible for carrying it out. In both real practice and SQE2, vagueness can lead to wasted time, confusion, or even professional negligence.

Key Term: responsible party
The individual or entity specifically allocated a task or obligation within a set of legal action points or a timeline.

Worked Example 1.1

Scenario:

A client has instructed you to purchase a commercial property. The landlord requires exchange of contracts in 10 days. As the solicitor, which action points and timeline entries should you set, and what risks must you address?

Answer:
Action points could include:

• Review contract and request amendments – responsibility: solicitor; deadline: within 2 days
• Arrange surveyor inspection – responsibility: client to instruct surveyor; deadline: within 3 days
• Raise standard property enquiries – responsibility: solicitor; deadline: within 2 days
• Arrange funds transfer for deposit – responsibility: client; deadline: 8 days
• Prepare for exchange – responsibility: solicitor; deadline: 10 days
  Timeline entries must reflect these. Risks to flag:
• If surveyor cannot inspect within deadline, contingency: request extension for exchange
• If client funds not received, contingency: do not exchange until cleared funds
• Risk factor: Seller may withdraw if deadlines missed

Worked Example 1.2

Scenario:

A probate matter requires inheritance tax forms to be submitted before a grant can be extracted, and certain assets have time-sensitive values. How do you record action points and plan for risks?

Answer:

• Gather information on assets and creditors – responsibility: client to provide documents; deadline: within 1 week
• Complete IHT forms – responsibility: solicitor; deadline: 10 days from full information
• Submit IHT forms to HMRC – responsibility: solicitor; deadline: within 2 days of completion
• Apply for grant – responsibility: solicitor; deadline: upon HMRC receipt
  Risk factor: Delay in client information may cause late tax payment; contingency: inform client in writing of consequences and set a further deadline/reminder
• If property values drop, contingency: obtain updated valuations

Exam Warning

For SQE2, simply listing tasks is not enough. You must link each action point to a responsible party and set a realistic, legally significant deadline. Failing to do so can lose marks.

Recording and Presenting Action Points

SQE2 tasks may require you to set out action points in a letter, email, file note, or report. Use numbering or bullet points for clarity. Use formal, unambiguous language:

• "You must return the signed documents by 12 July 2024."
• "We will submit the application within 2 working days of receiving your instructions."
• "Client to provide proof of funds to us no later than 22 June 2024."

Include contingency plans where delay, non-compliance, or uncertainty may arise. For each action, consider the risk and note the alternative if plans fail.

Project and Risk Management Table

An effective project and risk overview for a legal matter includes:

Common Risks and Best Practices

• Missing deadlines due to unclear handover—list the name and contact for each task
• Ill-defined steps—make each point practical, with a measurable outcome
• Not updating the action plan when circumstances change—review and amend regularly
• Failing to inform the client of legal consequences of delay—always state implications

Revision Tip

For each key date or deadline in a matter, ask: what is the consequence if it is missed? Who needs to be told, and what is the next step? Practise writing these for file notes and exam tasks.

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• Action points must set out precisely what is to be done, by whom, and by when.
• Timelines are critical for tracking, communicating, and managing legal work.
• Each action point must have a named responsible party—never leave responsibility vague.
• Risk factors should be identified for each step; always include a contingency where the risk is material.
• Clients and colleagues rely on accurate project and risk management to progress matters efficiently—SQE2 examiners expect to see this explicitly.
• Deadlines must be realistic and take legal or practical constraints into account.

Key Terms and Concepts

• action point
• timeline
• contingency plan
• risk factor
• responsible party