FE-1 Law of the European Union exam-day guide
FE-1 Law of the European Union · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission letter or exam permit
Download and print your admission letter exactly as instructed by the provider. needs_review - confirm the required format and whether a digital copy is accepted with the Law Society before exam day.
Accepted photo ID
Bring the original ID named in your admission letter, typically a passport or driving licence. Check that the name matches your exam entry. needs_review - confirm which ID types are accepted with the provider.
Candidate or exam number
Write your candidate number on every answer booklet or screen as directed. Keep it separate from your name if the paper is anonymised. needs_review - confirm the anonymisation rule with the provider.
Black or blue pens and spares
Bring at least two working pens if the exam is handwritten. Confirm whether the FE-1 EU law paper is handwritten or typed. needs_review - check the format with the provider.
Clear pencil case or clear bag
Use a transparent container for pens, a highlighter, and water. Avoid branded or opaque cases that may be refused at the desk.
Water in a clear bottle
Remove the label and bring a clear plastic bottle. needs_review - confirm whether water is allowed at your desk with the provider.
Simple non-smart wristwatch
A basic watch helps you pace the paper if the room clock is not visible. Smart watches and phones are not permitted. needs_review - confirm watch rules with the provider.
Travel plan and arrival time
Check the venue address, transport disruptions, and the arrival time on your admission letter. Aim to arrive with at least 30 minutes to spare.
Provider contact details
Save the exam office phone number and email in case of travel delays or lost documents. Do not rely on social media for urgent exam-day instructions.
No unauthorised notes or books
Leave revision notes outside the exam room unless the provider confirms the paper is open book. needs_review - confirm the permitted materials with the Law Society.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: download the admission letter, check ID, plan travel, and verify the venue and start time. Re-read the provider's exam regulations and note any rules you need to confirm in writing.
Revise core FE-1 EU law topics in timed blocks: sources and effects of EU law, direct effect, supremacy, preliminary references under Article 267 TFEU, judicial review, free movement of goods, persons, services and establishment, competition law, and state aid. Practise concise IRAC answers using official sample materials if the provider publishes them.
Drill the highest-yield authorities and Treaty provisions: Van Gend en Loos, Costa v ENEL, Cassis de Dijon, Dassonville, Keck, Francovich, Article 34 TFEU, Article 45 TFEU, Article 49 TFEU, Article 56 TFEU, Articles 101 and 102 TFEU, and Article 107 TFEU. Do not learn new topics; consolidate what you already know.
Pack the clear bag, check pens, ID, admission letter, water, and watch. Review a one-page summary of EU law structures and case names, then stop revising early. Confirm your alarm and transport plan, and get a full night's sleep.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive early. Switch off your phone and store it as directed before entering the room. Read the front page of the paper carefully, note the number of questions and the suggested time allocation, and check for any rubric instructions.
Scan all questions and identify the EU law topics tested. Allocate time per question and leave 10 minutes at the end to review. Start with the question you know best only if you can return to the rest without rushing.
Use IRAC: state the issue, the relevant EU law rule and authority, apply it to the facts, and conclude. Cite Treaty articles and leading cases precisely. If a question asks for advice, write as if advising a client, not as a textbook summary.
Check that every required question has an answer, your candidate number is on each booklet or screen, and no answer is left blank. Confirm you have not written your name where the paper is anonymised.
Rules to check
Bring the exact ID specified in your admission letter. If you are unsure whether your ID is accepted, confirm with the provider before exam day rather than relying on informal advice.
Arrive at the stated time. Late entry may be refused or may not receive extra time; confirm the late-arrival policy with the provider in advance.
Switch off all phones, smart watches, and electronic devices and store them where the invigilator directs. Do not keep any device on your person during the exam.
Do not bring unauthorised notes, books, or annotated materials unless the provider has confirmed the paper is open book. If in doubt, leave the material outside the room.
Follow invigilator instructions and ask for clarification if a rule is unclear. Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, and do not record or photograph any part of the paper.
Breaks: confirm with the provider whether toilet breaks are permitted and whether exam time is paused. Do not leave the room without permission.
Scoring: FE-1 papers are marked separately; confirm the pass mark and any compensation rules with the Law Society. Do not rely on unofficial pass-mark claims.
Academic integrity: any attempt to bring in prohibited material or communicate with another candidate may be reported. If you accidentally bring a prohibited item, declare it to the invigilator before the exam starts.