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Legal terms are an important part of every law aspirant to understand. These are the important part in any law examination. However, as there are various law terms, it can be bit confusing to understand and remember al the terms. The best way to deal with this situation, is to understand some basic and popular terms. There are aslo such terms which are repetitive and often appears in every second question. To know more about such legal terms, you can explore such terms in the given blog. Along with the legal terms that every law should know, we will also include some common CLAT and AILET questions on such terms.
Table of Contents
Common Legal Terms Every Law Aspirant Should Know
Below is the list of some common legal terms every law aspirant should know. You can explore the list below. The below mentioned terms are just a glimpse of the terms. To get more such terms you can on teh link provided below and download its PDF.
- Abatement- act of eliminating
- Abessive- denoting absence of a case
- Abjure- to pronounce solemnly on oath
- Absist- passing away of any legal right
- Accrue: to come into existence as an enforceable right or claim.
- Ad interim: in the mean time i.e. for a temporary period of time.
- Adjudicate: to make an official judgement or decision upon a certain issue by a competent authority i.e. to determine the rights of the parties to the suit
- Accede- to consent or agree
- Accroach- to exercise power without authority
- Agnates- relatives whose relationship can be traced wholly through males
- Arson- crime of unlawfully destroying property by fire
- Antimony- a contradiction in law
- Accessory- a person who is concerned in the crime but does not actually commit the crime
- Ad hoc- formed for a particular purpose
- Affiant- one who makes an affidavit
- Affray- unlawful fighting or use of force to intimidate others
- Alien –a person who resides within the border of the country but is not subject of that country
- Alms- charitable donations
- Alimony- a court ordered allowance that one spouse pays to the other spouse for maintenance and support while they are separated.
- Annulment- judicial act of nullifying
40+ Questions on Law Maxims for CLAT and ACLAT Exam
There are various questions that comes in the CLAT and ACLAT examinations, here are some sample questions that will help you prepare for the examinations well.
Question 1: What does the term “Ab Initio” mean?
A) At the end
B) From the middle
C) From the start
D) After the fact
Solution: C) From the start
Question 2: What is the meaning of “Actionable per se”?
A) Actionable with consent
B) Actionable with proof
C) Punishable without proof of damage
D) Non-punishable action
Solution: C) Punishable without proof of damage
Question 3: What does “Actio personalis moritur cum persona” signify?
A) Legal actions are immortal
B) Personal rights die with the person
C) Legal actions survive the person
D) Rights outlive individuals
Solution: B) Personal rights die with the person
Question 4: In legal cases, what does “Actori incumbit onus probandi” mean?
A) Defendant bears the burden of proof
B) Burden of proof is on the plaintiff
C) Both parties share the burden
D) No burden of proof required
Solution: B) Burden of proof is on the plaintiff
Question 5: What is required for a conviction according to “Actus Reus Non Facit Reum Nisi Mens Sit Rea”?
A) Intent only
B) Criminal act only
C) Both criminal act and intent
D) Neither act nor intent
Solution: C) Both criminal act and intent
Question 6: What does “Ad hoc” mean?
A) Adverse conditions
B) In good faith
C) For the particular end or case at hand
D) In retrospect
Solution: C) For the particular end or case at hand
Question 7: What does the term “Alibi” refer to?
A) Another crime
B) Alternative explanation
C) Another place
D) Assistance to the court
Solution: C) Another place
Question 8: Who is an “Amicus Curiae” in legal proceedings?
A) Adverse party
B) Neutral party
C) Friend of the court
D) Expert witness
Solution: C) Friend of the court
Question 9: What does “Ante Litem Motam” relate to?
A) Actions after a dispute
B) Events before a lawsuit
C) Legal actions after a suit
D) Actions during a controversy
Solution: B) Events before a lawsuit
Question 10: What is meant by “Assentio mentium”?
A) Disagreement
B) Mutual assents
C) Dissent
D) Unanimous decision
Solution: B) Mutual assents
Question 11: What principle does “Audi alteram partem” embody?
A) Judgment before hearing
B) Condemnation without proof
C) Right to remain silent
D) No one shall be condemned unheard
Solution: D) No one shall be condemned unheard
Question 12: In legal terms, what does “Bona fide” mean?
A) In bad faith
B) In legal jargon
C) In good faith
D) In hindsight
Solution: C) In good faith
Question 13: What does “Bona vacantia” refer to?
A) Good values
B) Goods without value
C) Unclaimed property or assets
D) Void contracts
Solution: C) Unclaimed property or assets
Question 14: What does the phrase “Boni judicis est ampliare jurisdictionem” signify?
A) Restriction of jurisdiction
B) Expanding jurisdiction
C) Judicial discretion
D) Narrowing jurisdiction
Solution: B) Expanding jurisdiction
Question 15: What is the purpose of a “Caveat” registered with the court?
A) To initiate legal proceedings
B) To prevent unauthorized actions without notice
C) To challenge a court decision
D) To expedite the legal process
Solution: B) To prevent unauthorized actions without notice
Question 16: What does “Caveat actor” warn against?
A) Let the doer beware
B) Let the buyer beware
C) Let the seller beware
D) Let the actor proceed
Solution: A) Let the doer beware
Question 17: According to “Caveat emptor,” who should beware?
A) The seller
B) The buyer
C) The court
D) The mediator
Solution: B) The buyer beware
Question 18: What does “Caveat venditor” advise the seller to do?
A) Proceed with caution
B) Let the buyer beware
C) Beware of the court
D) Let the seller beware
Solution: D) Let the seller beware
Question 19: What is the purpose of the legal writ “Certiorari”?
A) To initiate a lawsuit
B) To quash orders passed by an inferior court
C) To compel a witness
D) To review a verdict
Solution: B) To quash orders passed by an inferior court
Question 20: What does the term “Corpus” refer to in legal contexts?
A) Collective legal documents
B) Spiritual essence
C) Physical body
D) Legal codes
Solution: C) Physical body
Question 21: What is the legal meaning of “Ex post facto”?
A) Proactive legal measures
B) Retroactively applied law
C) Legal proceedings in the future
D) Legal actions taken after a crime
Solution: B) Retroactively applied law
Question 22: How would you define “Fatum” in legal terms?
A) Human foresight
B) Predictable events
C) Beyond human foresight
D) Legal responsibilities
Solution: C) Beyond human foresight
Question 23: What does “Factum probans” represent in legal language?
A) Irrelevant fact
B) Proven fact
C) Significant fact
D) Relevant fact
Solution: D) Relevant fact
Question 24: Explain the legal principle “Fraus est celare fraudem.”
A) Concealing fraud is legal
B) Concealing fraud is considered fraudulent
C) Concealing fraud is a civil offense
D) Concealing fraud is irrelevant in legal cases
Solution: B) Concealing fraud is considered fraudulent
Question 25: What does “Functus officio” mean in legal terms?
A) Actively holding power
B) No longer having power or jurisdiction
C) Temporary authority
D) Functioning in an official capacity
Solution: B) No longer having power or jurisdiction
Question 26: What does the legal phrase “Furiosi nulla voluntas est” imply?
A) Mentally impaired individuals have full legal capacity
B) Mentally impaired individuals cannot commit crimes
C) Mentally impaired individuals can sign valid contracts
D) Mentally impaired individuals have partial legal capacity
Solution: B) Mentally impaired individuals cannot commit crimes
Question 27: What is the purpose of the legal writ “Habeas corpus”?
A) To issue an arrest warrant
B) To challenge the lawfulness of detention
C) To summon witnesses to court
D) To establish guilt in criminal cases
Solution: B) To challenge the lawfulness of detention
Question 28: Explain the legal concept “Ignorantia juris non-excusat.”
A) Ignorance of the law is a valid excuse
B) Ignorance of the law excuses no one
C) Ignorance of the law is a partial defense
D) Ignorance of the law is irrelevant in legal cases
Solution: B) Ignorance of the law excuses no one
Question 29: What does “Injuria sine damno” refer to in legal terminology?
A) Injury with significant damage
B) Injury without damage
C) Damage without injury
D) Intentional harm
Solution: B) Injury without damage
Question 30: What is the meaning of the legal term “Ipso facto”?
A) By the choice of the parties involved
B) By external factors
C) By the mere fact itself
D) By mutual agreement
Solution: C) By the mere fact itself
Question 31: What does the legal term “De Minimis Non Curat Lex” mean?
A) The law governs minor details
B) The law does not concern itself with trifles
C) Trivial matters are legally significant
D) The law prioritizes insignificant details
Solution: B) The law does not concern itself with trifles
Question 32: What is the meaning of “De novo”?
A) To make something old
B) To continue from where it left off
C) To make something anew
D) To consider minor details
Solution: C) To make something anew
Question 33: In legal terms, what does “Dictum” refer to?
A) A necessary decision in a case
B) A judge’s irrelevant statement in a decision
C) A legal doctrine
D) A critical argument in a trial
Solution: B) A judge’s irrelevant statement in a decision
Question 34: What is the concept of “Doli incapax”?
A) Capacity to commit a crime
B) Incapable of crime
C) Innocence in criminal cases
D) Capacity to understand crime
Solution: B) Incapable of crime
Question 35: What does “Detinue” in legal terminology signify?
A) The act of detaining a person
B) Wrongfully holding someone else’s goods
C) The tort of wrongful arrest
D) The act of detaining for questioning
Solution: B) Wrongfully holding someone else’s goods
Question 36: What does “Donatio mortis causa” refer to in legal terms?
A) A gift made during one’s lifetime
B) A gift given in anticipation of the donor’s imminent death
C) A posthumous gift
D) A charitable donation
Solution: B) A gift given in anticipation of the donor’s imminent death
Question 37: What is the legal meaning of “Estoppel”?
A) Freedom from legal obligations
B) The right to contradict statements
C) Prevented from denying
D) Admission of guilt
Solution: C) Prevented from denying
Question 38: What does “Ex gratia” mean in legal terminology?
A) By force
B) As a favor
C) By legal obligation
D) Out of necessity
Solution: B) As a favor
Question 39: In legal language, what does “Ex officio” mean?
A) By legal right
B) By virtue of the office held
C) By personal choice
D) By public demand
Solution: B) By virtue of the office held
Question 40: What does “Ex parte” refer to in legal proceedings?
A) Joint proceedings
B) Proceedings with expert witnesses
C) Proceedings in the presence of the other party
D) Proceedings in the absence of the other party
Solution: D) Proceedings in the absence of the other party
These are all the questions that comes in the law exams like CLAT and ACLAT examinations. To prepare well for these exams, here is your repository for these exams.
CLAT Exam Important Links
ACLAT Exam Important Links
FAQs
Yes, it can be bit difficult to remember all the legal terms, however, reading the terms again and again will help you to learn the terms without much effort.
It means “As a favor”.
It means “For the particular end or case at hand”
This was all about the “Legal Terms”. For more such informative blogs, check out our Law Exams Section, or you can learn more about us by visiting our Indian exams page.