This guide to solving legal reasoning for SLAT attempts to give an overview of the section. Legal aptitude section of any law entrance exam aims at testing the legal aptitude as well as the legal knowledge of the candidate.
SLAT in this section asks basically three kinds of questions: Principal fact Questions, Legal GK Questions and Legal Fact Questions. It is one of the most scoring areas for this entrance exam. For solving any question accurately and quickly, you must have two things with you- knowledge to deal with the question and the correct tactic to deal with the question.
Although practice can never be substituted with anything else but the chances of you scoring well will get much better if you compliment the practice with the correct strategy.
Types of Questions
- Principle fact
In this type of questions, you will be given a particular legal principle and a factual matrix. You are expected to apply the legal principle to that factual matrix and choose the correct option. The point to be kept in mind while solving these questions is that you are not supposed to apply any knowledge other than given in the question.
You may also have to also ignore your logical argument if it contradicts the given legal principle. But usually, such principles are taken from some authentic source like statutes etc., therefore it would be not something easy to contradict.
Illustration:
Principle: Whoever wrongfully restrains any person in such a manner as to prevent that person from proceedings beyond certain circumscribing limits, is said “wrongfully to confine” that person.
Facts: Asmita was about to enter the classroom but Amit stopped him and threatened to break her nose if she entered the classroom.
Question: Choose the correct option.
- Amit is liable for the offence of Wrongful confinement because he has wrongfully restrained Asmita from entering the class
- Amit is not liable for the offence of wrongful confinement because he has only stopped Asmita from going to the classroom and she is free to go in any other direction.
- Amit is liable for the offence of Wrongful confinement because he has threatened Asmita of breaking her nose.
- Both (a) and(c)
Here, (b) is the correct answer because the principle talks about restraining the person from going beyond circumscribing limits i.e. in all directions. Asmita is free to go in all other directions but Classroom.
- Legal Fact Questions
It is somewhat similar to Legal GK Questions but deals with more static legal knowledge that does not generally change over time. It usually includes questions on legal maxims, basics of offences and other things that you are expected to know about the Indian Legal system. The best strategy is to read the designated syllabus as many times as possible to retain the important legal facts.
Illustration 1:
The maxim Caveat Emptor means
- Let the doer beware
- Let the buyer beware
- In good faith
- A caveat must be filed.
Here, the correct answer is (b). It is usually a black and white situation i.e. either you know the answer or you don’t. So you will have to read as much as possible to get the correct answer.
Illustration 2:
Choose the correct statement.
- Murder is the genus and culpable homicide is the specie
- Culpable Homicide is the genus and murder is the specie
- Both Murder and Culpable Homicide are not related.
- Both Murder and culpable homicide are the same.
Here, the correct answer is (b).
Illustration 3:
The right to private defence is available only to protect:
- Own body or body of another person
- Property of another person or own property
- Own body and own property
- Both (a) and (b)
The correct answer is (d).
- Legal GK Questions
It is not very different from the Legal fact questions and usually overlaps. The legal GK questions are usually covering the current affairs related to the legal world like any important Act that has been passed or any significant amendment that is made. It may also extend to the questions where certain important articles are asked about. There is no exhaustive list of readings for this but the bare minimum of Legal current affairs and important sections and articles of important statues and Constitution must be read well.
Illustration 1:
Which Act has been followed in furtherance to abrogation of Article 370?
- Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019
- Jammu & Kashmir and Leh Reorganisation Act
- Jammu and Kashmir Redevelopment Act 2019
- None of these
Here the correct answer is (a).
- The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is established under
- Article 148, Constitution of India
- Article 136, Constitution of India
- Article 220, Constitution of India
- Article 331, Constitution of India
The correct answer is (a).