Q.1 Which of the following is a primary characteristic of civil law systems?
Law is mainly based on judicial decisions
Law is codified and written in comprehensive codes
Law relies heavily on precedent
Law is created solely by custom
Explanation - Civil law systems rely primarily on written legal codes that are systematically organized, unlike common law systems which depend more on judicial precedents.
Correct answer is: Law is codified and written in comprehensive codes
Q.2 Civil law systems are most commonly found in which of the following regions?
United States and United Kingdom
France and Germany
India and Pakistan
Australia and Canada
Explanation - Civil law systems are widely practiced in continental Europe, particularly in countries like France and Germany.
Correct answer is: France and Germany
Q.3 Which historical source heavily influenced modern civil law?
Roman Law
Anglo-Saxon Law
Napoleonic Code
British Common Law
Explanation - Modern civil law is deeply rooted in Roman law principles, which emphasized codification and systematic legal rules.
Correct answer is: Roman Law
Q.4 In civil law systems, judges primarily:
Create new laws based on precedents
Interpret and apply codified statutes
Focus on resolving disputes through jury decisions
Follow religious principles strictly
Explanation - Civil law judges mainly interpret and apply the written legal codes rather than creating new laws through case decisions.
Correct answer is: Interpret and apply codified statutes
Q.5 Which of the following is NOT typically a source of civil law?
Legislative codes
Regulations issued by authorities
Judicial decisions as binding precedent
Constitutional provisions
Explanation - Unlike common law, civil law does not treat judicial decisions as binding precedents, though they may be persuasive.
Correct answer is: Judicial decisions as binding precedent
Q.6 The French Civil Code is also known as:
Napoleonic Code
Code of Hammurabi
Corpus Juris Civilis
Magna Carta
Explanation - The French Civil Code, established under Napoleon in 1804, became a model for many civil law systems worldwide.
Correct answer is: Napoleonic Code
Q.7 Which civil law concept emphasizes written laws over judge-made law?
Codification
Stare decisis
Equity
Jurisprudence constante
Explanation - Codification refers to the process of systematically compiling laws into codes that form the primary source of law in civil law systems.
Correct answer is: Codification
Q.8 In civil law systems, legal education focuses primarily on:
Learning judicial precedents
Studying and applying legal codes
Training for jury trials
Developing legislative skills
Explanation - Legal education in civil law countries emphasizes understanding codified laws and statutes rather than relying heavily on case law.
Correct answer is: Studying and applying legal codes
Q.9 Which of these is a common feature of civil law contracts?
Strict adherence to formalities
Flexible interpretation based on precedent
Creation through verbal agreements only
Judicial creation of terms
Explanation - Civil law contracts often require specific formalities to be valid, and courts enforce these strictly according to the codified rules.
Correct answer is: Strict adherence to formalities
Q.10 A key difference between civil law and common law systems is:
Civil law relies on case law as the main source
Common law uses codified statutes exclusively
Civil law uses comprehensive codes while common law emphasizes judicial precedent
Common law is based on Roman law
Explanation - Civil law systems rely on codified statutes, whereas common law systems depend heavily on judicial decisions and precedents.
Correct answer is: Civil law uses comprehensive codes while common law emphasizes judicial precedent
Q.11 In civil law, the principle of 'good faith' primarily applies to:
Criminal prosecution
Civil obligations and contracts
Legislative drafting
Judicial sentencing
Explanation - Good faith is a fundamental principle in civil law that governs contracts and civil obligations, requiring honesty and fairness.
Correct answer is: Civil obligations and contracts
Q.12 Which term refers to the body of civil law enacted by a legislative authority?
Case law
Statutory law
Equity
Customary law
Explanation - In civil law systems, statutory law consists of written laws enacted by legislative authorities, forming the core legal framework.
Correct answer is: Statutory law
Q.13 Civil law systems often divide law into which major categories?
Criminal law, case law, common law
Private law, public law, procedural law
Customary law, statutory law, equity
Jurisprudence, precedent, doctrine
Explanation - Civil law systems traditionally classify law into private, public, and procedural law for systematic organization.
Correct answer is: Private law, public law, procedural law
Q.14 Which of these countries follows a civil law system?
United States
Germany
United Kingdom
Australia
Explanation - Germany follows a civil law system with comprehensive codes governing civil, criminal, and procedural matters.
Correct answer is: Germany
Q.15 In civil law jurisdictions, judges are often considered:
Law makers
Legal scholars applying codes
Political representatives
Advisors only
Explanation - Civil law judges interpret and apply legal codes rather than creating new laws, functioning more as legal experts.
Correct answer is: Legal scholars applying codes
Q.16 Which document is considered the foundation of civil law in many European countries?
Corpus Juris Civilis
Magna Carta
Bill of Rights
Hammurabi Code
Explanation - The Corpus Juris Civilis, compiled under Emperor Justinian, is a foundational text influencing many civil law systems.
Correct answer is: Corpus Juris Civilis
Q.17 Civil law legal scholars often refer to 'doctrine'. What does this mean?
Written codes
Judicial precedents
Scholarly legal writings explaining laws
Customary law
Explanation - Doctrine refers to the analysis and interpretation of law by scholars, which guides judges and practitioners in civil law systems.
Correct answer is: Scholarly legal writings explaining laws
Q.18 Unlike common law, civil law tends to be:
More flexible and case-driven
More rigid and code-driven
Dependent on juries
Based on oral tradition
Explanation - Civil law relies on comprehensive written codes, making it more structured compared to the precedent-driven flexibility of common law.
Correct answer is: More rigid and code-driven
Q.19 In civil law, 'obligations' typically refer to:
Criminal duties
Legal duties arising from contracts or law
Political responsibilities
Customary practices
Explanation - Obligations are legal relationships requiring one party to perform a duty toward another, central to civil law systems.
Correct answer is: Legal duties arising from contracts or law
Q.20 The codification movement in civil law aimed to:
Rely entirely on judge-made law
Organize laws into systematic codes
Eliminate written statutes
Adopt foreign case law
Explanation - The codification movement sought to create clear, comprehensive codes that covered all areas of law, reducing reliance on ad hoc judicial rulings.
Correct answer is: Organize laws into systematic codes
Q.21 Civil law contracts are generally interpreted according to:
Intention of the parties and the code
Judicial precedents
Common customs only
Equity principles alone
Explanation - Interpretation of contracts in civil law focuses on the intent of the parties within the framework of the codified legal rules.
Correct answer is: Intention of the parties and the code
Q.22 Which of the following is a major codified civil law in Germany?
Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB)
Napoleonic Code
Common Law Act
Indian Penal Code
Explanation - The BGB is Germany’s civil code, covering private law, obligations, property, and family law.
Correct answer is: Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB)
Q.23 Civil law systems often treat precedent as:
Legally binding
Persuasive but not binding
Irrelevant and prohibited
Superior to the code
Explanation - In civil law, previous judicial decisions may guide courts but do not carry binding authority like in common law.
Correct answer is: Persuasive but not binding
Q.24 Which of these is an advantage often cited for civil law systems?
Flexibility in judicial decisions
Predictability and clarity due to codification
Reliance on oral traditions
Unlimited judicial discretion
Explanation - Civil law provides clear rules and organized codes, making legal outcomes more predictable and systematic.
Correct answer is: Predictability and clarity due to codification
Q.25 Civil law systems typically originated in:
Medieval England
Continental Europe influenced by Roman law
Ancient China
North America
Explanation - Civil law developed in continental Europe, rooted in Roman legal traditions and codification practices.
Correct answer is: Continental Europe influenced by Roman law
Q.26 The term 'private law' in civil law includes which areas?
Constitutional law and administrative law
Criminal law and police regulations
Contract, property, and family law
International treaties
Explanation - Private law governs relationships between individuals, including contracts, property rights, and family matters.
Correct answer is: Contract, property, and family law