Q.1 Which of the following is considered a primary source of law?
Textbooks
Statutes
Legal Commentary
Journal Articles
Explanation - Statutes are laws passed by a legislative body and are primary sources of law. Textbooks and commentaries are secondary sources.
Correct answer is: Statutes
Q.2 What is the role of judicial precedent in common law systems?
It creates new statutes
It guides future decisions
It amends the constitution
It abolishes laws
Explanation - Judicial precedent ensures consistency by requiring courts to follow prior decisions in similar cases.
Correct answer is: It guides future decisions
Q.3 Customary law is derived mainly from:
Written codes
Government orders
Long-established practices
International treaties
Explanation - Customary law develops from traditions and consistent practices accepted as legally binding.
Correct answer is: Long-established practices
Q.4 Which document is considered the supreme law in many countries?
Legislation
Constitution
Judicial rulings
Custom
Explanation - The constitution is the fundamental legal document that overrides other sources of law.
Correct answer is: Constitution
Q.5 In civil law systems, the primary source of law is:
Case law
Custom
Codified statutes
Equity
Explanation - Civil law systems rely mainly on comprehensive legal codes rather than judicial precedent.
Correct answer is: Codified statutes
Q.6 What is a secondary source of law?
Court judgments
Constitution
Law review articles
Statutes
Explanation - Secondary sources explain, interpret, or critique the law but are not legally binding.
Correct answer is: Law review articles
Q.7 Which of the following is NOT a source of international law?
Treaties
Customary international law
Judicial decisions
Personal opinions of politicians
Explanation - International law is formed from treaties, custom, and judicial rulings, not individual opinions.
Correct answer is: Personal opinions of politicians
Q.8 Equity as a source of law developed to:
Replace statutes
Supplement common law
Abolish precedent
Create constitutions
Explanation - Equity was developed to address the rigidities of common law and provide fairness.
Correct answer is: Supplement common law
Q.9 Which body typically enacts statutory law?
Judiciary
Executive
Legislature
Juries
Explanation - Statutory laws are created and passed by legislative bodies like parliaments or congresses.
Correct answer is: Legislature
Q.10 Which of these is an example of case law?
Parliamentary Act
Court ruling
Presidential decree
International treaty
Explanation - Case law consists of judicial decisions which serve as precedents.
Correct answer is: Court ruling
Q.11 The Latin phrase 'stare decisis' relates to:
Equity
Constitutional supremacy
Judicial precedent
International treaties
Explanation - Stare decisis means 'to stand by things decided' and underpins the doctrine of precedent.
Correct answer is: Judicial precedent
Q.12 What is the primary function of customary law?
To replace written law
To fill gaps in legal systems
To enforce constitutional rights
To create new statutes
Explanation - Customary law provides guidance where statutes or case law are silent.
Correct answer is: To fill gaps in legal systems
Q.13 In the hierarchy of legal sources, which usually has the highest authority?
Custom
Statute
Case law
Constitution
Explanation - The constitution is the supreme law and overrides other legal sources.
Correct answer is: Constitution
Q.14 Which of these is NOT a formal source of law?
Statutes
Constitution
Customs
Newspaper editorials
Explanation - Editorials may influence opinion but are not formal sources of law.
Correct answer is: Newspaper editorials
Q.15 The decisions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) are considered:
Primary sources of international law
Secondary sources of international law
Legislative sources
Customary sources
Explanation - ICJ decisions help interpret law but are not binding as primary sources like treaties.
Correct answer is: Secondary sources of international law
Q.16 Which of the following is an unwritten source of law?
Constitution
Statute
Custom
Act of Parliament
Explanation - Customary law evolves from long-standing practices, not written documents.
Correct answer is: Custom
Q.17 Religious texts as sources of law are most relevant in:
Secular legal systems
Theocratic legal systems
Common law jurisdictions
Civil law jurisdictions
Explanation - In theocracies, religious texts like the Quran or Torah may function as law.
Correct answer is: Theocratic legal systems
Q.18 Which branch of government interprets statutory law?
Executive
Legislative
Judiciary
Military
Explanation - The judiciary interprets and applies statutes in resolving disputes.
Correct answer is: Judiciary
Q.19 International treaties become binding on states when:
They are signed
They are ratified
They are discussed
They are published
Explanation - A treaty binds states only after ratification according to national procedures.
Correct answer is: They are ratified
Q.20 Which of these can override ordinary legislation?
Custom
Precedent
Constitution
Judicial opinion
Explanation - Constitutional provisions prevail over ordinary statutes and case law.
Correct answer is: Constitution
Q.21 The main purpose of legal commentaries is to:
Enact binding rules
Interpret and explain laws
Create statutes
Replace judicial decisions
Explanation - Commentaries are secondary sources that help understand but not create law.
Correct answer is: Interpret and explain laws
Q.22 Which of the following best defines 'customary international law'?
Unwritten norms accepted as binding
Codified rules by UN
Case law of international tribunals
National constitutional provisions
Explanation - Customary international law derives from consistent state practice and belief in its legal obligation.
Correct answer is: Unwritten norms accepted as binding
Q.23 In the UK, judge-made law is primarily called:
Equity
Statutory law
Case law
Customary law
Explanation - Judge-made law in the UK refers to precedents, which form case law.
Correct answer is: Case law
Q.24 Legal maxims are considered:
Primary sources of law
Secondary sources of law
Constitutional provisions
Judicial enactments
Explanation - Maxims guide interpretation but do not create binding law directly.
Correct answer is: Secondary sources of law
Q.25 In common law systems, the hierarchy of law places which source highest?
Case law
Statute law
Customary law
Equity
Explanation - While case law is important, statutes enacted by parliament generally take precedence.
Correct answer is: Statute law