Q.1 Which legal system is primarily based on written codes and statutes?
Common Law
Civil Law
Customary Law
Religious Law
Explanation - Civil law systems rely on comprehensive codes and statutes as the main source of law, unlike common law systems which depend heavily on case precedents.
Correct answer is: Civil Law
Q.2 The concept of 'stare decisis' is most closely associated with which legal tradition?
Civil Law
Religious Law
Common Law
Customary Law
Explanation - Stare decisis, meaning 'to stand by things decided,' is a key principle in common law systems that emphasizes precedent.
Correct answer is: Common Law
Q.3 Which country is considered the origin of the common law system?
France
England
Germany
Italy
Explanation - The common law system originated in medieval England and later spread to many countries, including the United States and Canada.
Correct answer is: England
Q.4 Napoleon's legal reforms led to the creation of which significant legal document?
Magna Carta
Code Napoleon
Bill of Rights
Hammurabi Code
Explanation - The Code Napoleon, or the French Civil Code of 1804, is a cornerstone of modern civil law systems.
Correct answer is: Code Napoleon
Q.5 Which legal tradition is most influenced by religious texts?
Civil Law
Common Law
Religious Law
International Law
Explanation - Religious legal systems, like Islamic Sharia law, derive rules and principles directly from religious texts.
Correct answer is: Religious Law
Q.6 Which of these countries follows a mixed legal system combining civil and common law traditions?
United States
South Africa
France
China
Explanation - South Africa has a mixed legal system, influenced by Roman-Dutch civil law and British common law.
Correct answer is: South Africa
Q.7 The oldest known written legal code is attributed to which ancient civilization?
Egyptians
Romans
Babylonians
Greeks
Explanation - The Code of Hammurabi, created by the Babylonians around 1754 BCE, is one of the earliest known written legal codes.
Correct answer is: Babylonians
Q.8 Which legal system relies heavily on judge-made law?
Civil Law
Common Law
Religious Law
Customary Law
Explanation - In common law systems, judicial decisions and precedents play a central role in shaping the law.
Correct answer is: Common Law
Q.9 Which legal tradition is dominant in Latin America?
Common Law
Civil Law
Religious Law
Customary Law
Explanation - Most Latin American countries adopted civil law systems influenced by European, especially French and Spanish, legal traditions.
Correct answer is: Civil Law
Q.10 What is the main source of law in civil law countries?
Court precedents
Religious texts
Customary practices
Statutes and codes
Explanation - Civil law countries rely on comprehensive legal codes as the primary source of law, rather than precedents.
Correct answer is: Statutes and codes
Q.11 The concept of 'Sharia' is associated with which religion?
Christianity
Hinduism
Islam
Buddhism
Explanation - Sharia is a body of Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith.
Correct answer is: Islam
Q.12 In comparative legal studies, which term refers to unwritten laws based on societal customs and traditions?
Civil Law
Common Law
Customary Law
International Law
Explanation - Customary law consists of rules derived from long-standing customs and traditions of a community.
Correct answer is: Customary Law
Q.13 Which European country is most closely associated with the development of the civil law system?
Italy
France
Germany
Spain
Explanation - France played a major role in shaping modern civil law, especially through the Napoleonic Code.
Correct answer is: France
Q.14 The Magna Carta was signed in which year?
1066
1215
1492
1776
Explanation - The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, is a foundational document in English common law history.
Correct answer is: 1215
Q.15 Which legal tradition often integrates local tribal customs into its laws?
Civil Law
Common Law
Customary Law
International Law
Explanation - Customary law reflects the traditions and practices of local communities, often passed down orally.
Correct answer is: Customary Law
Q.16 Which of the following is a characteristic of common law systems?
Relying solely on written codes
Using juries in trials
Religious authority in lawmaking
Customs as the only legal source
Explanation - Common law systems often use juries to decide cases, especially in criminal trials.
Correct answer is: Using juries in trials
Q.17 Which of these is an example of a religious legal system?
French Civil Code
Islamic Sharia Law
United States Constitution
English Common Law
Explanation - Sharia law is based on Islamic teachings and is a classic example of a religious legal system.
Correct answer is: Islamic Sharia Law
Q.18 The German Civil Code is also known as:
BGB
Code Civil
Corpus Juris
Magna Carta
Explanation - The German Civil Code is known as the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB).
Correct answer is: BGB
Q.19 Which type of legal system is most common in former British colonies?
Civil Law
Religious Law
Common Law
Customary Law
Explanation - Many former British colonies, like India and Canada, use common law systems inherited from the British legal tradition.
Correct answer is: Common Law
Q.20 What does 'jurisprudence' mean in legal studies?
The practice of law
The philosophy or theory of law
The drafting of codes
The enforcement of laws
Explanation - Jurisprudence is the study of legal philosophy and the underlying principles of legal systems.
Correct answer is: The philosophy or theory of law
Q.21 Which legal system often includes codified criminal, civil, and commercial codes?
Common Law
Civil Law
Religious Law
Customary Law
Explanation - Civil law systems use codified laws to provide comprehensive rules for various aspects of law.
Correct answer is: Civil Law
Q.22 Which ancient Roman principle greatly influenced modern civil law systems?
Stare decisis
Habeas corpus
Corpus Juris Civilis
Magna Carta
Explanation - The Corpus Juris Civilis, or Justinian Code, formed the foundation for many modern civil law systems.
Correct answer is: Corpus Juris Civilis
Q.23 Which legal system uses 'case law' as its primary source?
Civil Law
Religious Law
Common Law
Customary Law
Explanation - In common law systems, previous judicial decisions form the main body of law.
Correct answer is: Common Law
Q.24 The concept of 'dual legal systems' means:
Two countries sharing the same legal code
Two legal systems operating simultaneously within one country
A system that combines religious and customary law
The separation of criminal and civil courts
Explanation - A dual legal system exists when a country has more than one type of legal tradition, such as civil and religious law, functioning together.
Correct answer is: Two legal systems operating simultaneously within one country
Q.25 Which is a key difference between civil law and common law systems?
Civil law relies on codes, common law on precedents
Civil law uses juries more often
Common law has no written statutes
Common law is only used in Europe
Explanation - The main difference is that civil law systems emphasize written codes, while common law systems emphasize judge-made precedents.
Correct answer is: Civil law relies on codes, common law on precedents