How to Answer Case Law Questions in Law Subjects

Case Law Questions- Introduction

  • Hello Comrade, if you see our LLB exam pattern type of questions asked in our LLB exams are very different from that of our other graduation exams as well as our internal exams. LLB exam questions are more application-based and involve a non-traditional approach to answering those.
  • If you read this write-up fully. you will know what headings you need to keep for each type of question and eventually, we will find a structure to our answer rather than making our answer like a kichidi and end up getting fewer marks. As we already know if we master which headings and subheadings to keep for a given question, our answer will automatically get a flow.
  • Most of us who are from non-legal studies backgrounds will find it difficult to write answers to the case law questions. These case law questions are worth 10 marks, and we need to attempt 2 out of 4 questions given in the exam paper.
  • In those case-law-type questions, the examiner also asks us in different models. Though they look difficult at first glance, we are not able to comprehend how to answer those questions when we see them for the first time. However, answering those case-law understanding questions will be easier if we follow a few important steps and answer them in the standard formats given below for each type of case-law question.
  • Here you can find a model answer written by me, Read this if you can exactly keep those side headings you will get good marks.
  • Click here for case law questions model answer

Important things to keep in mind while answering case-law questions

  • First of all, we know that space is given in our answer sheet to write our answers. I think you already know that our university will give us pre-printed questions and answers space so we need to write in the given space for the respective question.
  • So we need to write as much according to marks for that question. When it comes to case-law questions they are asked for 10 marks so we need to write it in a relatively lengthy manner.
  • So don’t expect very good marks if you write the answers for case laws in short form like how we write in our internal exams comrade.
  • I think you already know that our university will give us pre-printed questions and answers space so we need to write in the given space for the respective question.
  • Our answers should be very clear and have a flow in our argument rather than jumbling from one point to another unrelated point. 
  • Sticking to the case facts and issues involved in the question is much more important than writing some other unrelated topics to the given facts of the case with a structured communication of our answer. 
  • For example, if the question is about the conditions of a valid contract then we need to stick to our answer to only those valid contract conditions rather than writing more about a single item like consideration or acceptance of contract. 
  • It’s very easy to deviate from our facts of the case while writing that lengthy answer for 10 marks but expanding and writing the related topics of the given issues will fetch us better marks than focusing on unrelated topics just because we prepared those unrelated topics better.
  • Simply answer only what’s asked. No extra unrelated content to make our answer lengthy unnecessarily. that makes us get less marks for our other correct answers
  • To make sure we identify what exactly is asked in the case law we need to read the question of Type-c question carefully.
  • Remember the less you confuse the lecturer who is correcting our answer the more marks he will give us.

Type of questions in our Sem exam and format to write answers to those questions

  1. Theory Based Questions/ Direct Questions
  2. Case study-based questions(Real Case/Fictional assumptions type)
  3. Statement based questions
  4. Legal advice seeking questions
  5. Difference between the two concepts

1. Theory-Based Questions/ Direct Questions

Example Questions theory-based questions.

  • Describe the essentials of a valid contract. When does the agreement become void?
  • Explain free consent and discuss the factors vitiating free consent

How to Answer Theory Based question( Headings in our answer)

  1. Introduction to the topic
  2. Concept Explanation
  3. Legal explanation of legal words
  4. Related case laws to the given topic
  5. Conclusion

2. Statement based questions

Example Questions for statement-based questions

  • “All Contracts are agreements but not all agreements are not contacts” Explain
  • “Acceptance to an offer is what a lighted match to a train of gunpowder” – Explain

How to Answer Statement Questions

  1. Interpretation of the given statement in the question
  2. Introduction to the topics given in the statement and a detailed explanation
  3. Case laws related to the first topic given in the statement
  4. Case laws related to the second topic given in the statement
  5. Conclusion

3. Case study based questions(Real Case/Fictional assumptions type)

Example Questions for case study-based questions

  • ‘A’ sold some articles from his shop to ‘B’ on credit, not knowing that B was a minor. The time
    fixed for payment expired and no payment was made. Sometime after, when B attained
    the majority, A sued B for the price. Will A succeed?
  • A invites B to a dinner at his house on a Sunday. B hires a taxi and house at the appointed time, but B fails to perform his promise. So can A sue B for breach of promise?

How to Answer Case-study based questions

  1. Summary of the facts given
  2. IRAC method( Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion)
  3. Issues in the given case
  4. Rule laws related to that case
  5. Analysis of the application of the laws and facts we discussed already
  6. Conclusion giving our final words and clear judgements to the given case

4. Legal advice seeking questions

Example Questions for statement-based

  • Mr. Ashok informed on e-mail to Mr. Raghu to sell his plot for Rs.2 lakh. Mr.
    Raghu went to Mr. Ashok’s residence with money. Mr. Ashok said that he
    droped the idea of selling. Advise, Raghu.
  • Mr. Ramesh novel write came to know that Mr.Suresh copied major part of his novel which was published 10 year back. Advice Mr.Ramesh about his legal remedies

How to Answer Legal Advice Questions

  1. Our answers should be of the simple language they are meant to be for understanding our ability in client management so no need to write in legal language, no legal sections and case laws mentioned are needed while answering legal advice questions
  2. Legal relief and remedies available for the given problem to the client
  3. Advantages and demerits of the advice we are providing to the client
  4. Concluding advice to the client

5. Difference between two concepts

Example Questions for difference between two concepts

  • What is Fraud? Distinguish between fraud and misrepresentation.
  • Differentiate between quasi-contract and continent contract under contract law.

How to Answer difference between questions

  1. Introduction to each topic in detail
  2. Write all the differences in a tabular form
  3. Compare the characters and main similarities and dissimilarities in detail in that tabular form
  4. Conclusion statements for each topic in shorter form

This is Ravi Yalavarthi and I will see you soon.