Sources of English Law: Master the Foundations of English Law

Question 1

Which of the following is a distinctive characteristic of common law?

Accepted Answer

It is created by judicial decisions

Answer

It is codified in written form

Answer

It is only applicable in civil cases

Answer

It is always clear and unambiguous

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the classification of a statute that applies to the entire country?

Accepted Answer

Public general statute

Answer

Private general statute

Answer

Local statute

Answer

Hybrid statute

Question 3

What is the fundamental difference between a primary and a secondary source of law?

Accepted Answer

Primary sources are authoritative, while secondary sources are merely persuasive

Answer

Secondary sources are authoritative, while primary sources are merely persuasive

Answer

Primary sources are more important than secondary sources

Answer

There is no distinction between primary and secondary sources

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a primary source of English law?

Accepted Answer

Magna Carta

Answer

Blackstone's Commentaries

Answer

Halsbury's Laws of England

Answer

The Law Reports

Question 5

The judiciary plays a multifaceted role in relation to the evolution of English law. Which of the following is NOT a function of the judiciary?

Accepted Answer

Enacting new laws

Answer

Interpreting legislation and case law

Answer

Enforcing the law

Answer

Providing legal advice to citizens

Question 6

The principle of stare decisis refers to the concept that:

Accepted Answer

Judges must follow the decisions of higher courts in similar cases.

Answer

Judges are free to create new laws whenever they deem it necessary.

Answer

Statutes have absolute authority over common law.

Answer

The common law is constantly evolving based on changing social conditions.

Question 7

In the English legal system, what is the primary role of the judiciary?

Accepted Answer

To interpret and apply the law

Answer

To create new laws

Answer

To enforce the law

Answer

To advise the government on legal matters

Question 8

What is the fundamental difference between a declaratory statute and an amending statute?

Accepted Answer

A declaratory statute clarifies existing law, while an amending statute modifies it.

Answer

An amending statute clarifies existing law, while a declaratory statute modifies it.

Answer

Both types of statutes solely modify existing laws.

Answer

There is no distinction between a declaratory statute and an amending statute.

Question 9

Which of the following sources of European Union law is directly applicable in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Regulations

Answer

Directives

Answer

Decisions

Answer

Recommendations

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a recognized source of English law?

Accepted Answer

Executive orders

Answer

Statutes

Answer

Case law

Answer

Common law

Question 11

Which principle establishes that a legal issue not addressed by statute or case law should be decided based on existing common law principles?

Accepted Answer

Doctrine of precedent

Answer

Stare decisis

Answer

Equity

Answer

Natural law

Question 12

What term is used to describe a law enacted by the UK Parliament?

Accepted Answer

Statute

Answer

Common law

Answer

Case law

Answer

Regulation

Question 13

Which court is the highest court in the United Kingdom's judicial system?

Accepted Answer

Supreme Court

Answer

High Court of Justice

Answer

Court of Appeal

Answer

Magistrates' Court

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of common law?

Accepted Answer

It is typically written down in a code.

Answer

It is based on precedent.

Answer

It is dynamic and adaptable.

Answer

It is created by judges.

Question 15

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of stare decisis?

Accepted Answer

It promotes consistency and predictability in legal decision-making.

Answer

It allows judges to create new laws independently.

Answer

It ensures equal treatment under the law.

Answer

It guarantees that past decisions will always be followed.

Question 16

Which of the following is not generally considered a primary source of English law?

Accepted Answer

Academic writings

Answer

Statutes

Answer

Case law

Answer

Common law

Question 17

The doctrine of precedent establishes that:

Accepted Answer

Lower courts must follow decisions of higher courts in similar cases.

Answer

Higher courts must follow decisions of lower courts in similar cases.

Answer

All courts must follow decisions of the Supreme Court.

Answer

Decisions of lower courts are only persuasive, not binding.

Question 18

Through which mechanism did the Human Rights Act 1998 incorporate the European Convention on Human Rights into English law?

Accepted Answer

Directly incorporating the Convention into domestic law.

Answer

Creating a new common law tort of human rights.

Answer

Amending existing statutes to conform with the Convention.

Answer

Establishing a new constitutional court to enforce the Convention.

Question 19

How are the various sources of English law typically organized?

Accepted Answer

In a hierarchical structure.

Answer

In a non-hierarchical structure.

Answer

In a dependent structure.

Answer

In an independent structure.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a recognized source of English law?

Accepted Answer

Islamic law

Answer

Statutes

Answer

Case law

Answer

Common law

Question 21

Which of the following categories is NOT a source of English law?

Accepted Answer

Academic writings

Answer

Statutory sources

Answer

Case law

Answer

Common law

Question 22

The doctrine of precedent establishes that:

Accepted Answer

Lower courts must follow decisions made by higher courts in similar cases.

Answer

Courts are free to make new decisions even if they contradict previous decisions.

Answer

Judges can create new laws to address specific cases.

Answer

The oldest laws have the highest authority.

Question 23

Which of the following is an example of a statutory source of English law?

Accepted Answer

The Human Rights Act 1998

Answer

The Magna Carta

Answer

The Donoghue v Stevenson case

Answer

The Rule Against Perpetuities

Question 24

Which of the following is a characteristic of common law?

Accepted Answer

It is developed through judicial decisions.

Answer

It is found in written legal codes.

Answer

It is only applicable to specific cases.

Answer

It is always followed by courts.

Question 25

The European Convention on Human Rights has been incorporated into English law primarily through:

Accepted Answer

A statute

Answer

A case law decision

Answer

A common law principle

Answer

A treaty

Question 26

The doctrine of stare decisis:

Accepted Answer

Requires lower courts to follow previous decisions made by higher courts.

Answer

Allows courts to create new laws that contradict previous decisions.

Answer

Only applies to cases that are identical to previous cases.

Answer

Is not binding on trial courts.

Question 27

The sources of English law can be categorized into:

Accepted Answer

Statutory, customary, and judge-made

Answer

Constitutional, common, and international

Answer

Civil, criminal, and administrative

Answer

Public, private, and commercial

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a primary source of English law?

Accepted Answer

Treaties

Answer

Common law

Answer

Case law

Answer

Legislation

Question 29

Which of the following is the highest court in the UK for both civil and criminal cases?

Accepted Answer

Supreme Court of the United Kingdom

Answer

High Court of Justice

Answer

Crown Court

Answer

Court of Appeal

Question 30

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of common law?

Accepted Answer

Stare decisis

Answer

Equity

Answer

Proportionality

Answer

Natural justice

Question 31

Which of the following is a form of secondary legislation?

Accepted Answer

Regulations

Answer

Common law

Answer

Acts of Parliament

Answer

Case law

Question 32

Which of the following is a characteristic of the common law system?

Accepted Answer

Judge-made law

Answer

Codified law

Answer

Written law

Answer

Statutory law

Question 33

Which of the following is a criticism of the common law system?

Accepted Answer

Lack of certainty

Answer

Flexibility

Answer

Efficiency

Answer

Accessibility

Question 34

Which of the following is NOT considered a primary source of English law?

Accepted Answer

Treaties

Answer

Case Law

Answer

Statutes

Answer

Common Law

Question 35

What is the highest court in the United Kingdom's judicial system?

Accepted Answer

Supreme Court

Answer

Court of Appeal

Answer

High Court

Answer

Crown Court

Question 36

Which statement accurately describes a defining characteristic of common law?

Accepted Answer

Developed primarily through judicial decisions and precedents.

Answer

Based on religious principles and doctrines.

Answer

Encompassed in a single, comprehensive legal document.

Answer

Created and codified by legislative bodies like Parliament.

Question 37

What does the doctrine of precedent establish within the English legal system?

Accepted Answer

Courts are bound to follow decisions of higher courts in similar cases.

Answer

Precedent dictates the order in which evidence is presented in court.

Answer

Parliament uses precedent to create new laws.

Answer

The monarch has the power to overrule judicial precedent.

Question 38

How did the emergence of equity influence the development of English law?

Accepted Answer

Equity provided remedies for unfair outcomes arising from the strict application of common law rules.

Answer

Common law principles were entirely replaced by equitable doctrines.

Answer

Equity established a separate court system with no influence on common law courts.

Answer

Equity primarily dealt with criminal matters, while common law addressed civil disputes.

Question 39

When applying the 'literal rule' of statutory interpretation, what should courts prioritize?

Accepted Answer

The plain, ordinary meaning of the words within the statute

Answer

Considering the subjective intentions of the Parliament that enacted the statute

Answer

Consulting historical records to determine the original purpose of the statute

Answer

Achieving the most morally just outcome, regardless of the statute's wording

Question 40

What is the primary function of delegated legislation in the UK?

Accepted Answer

To provide specific rules and procedures that implement broad statutory principles

Answer

To grant courts the power to overturn decisions made by the Supreme Court

Answer

To establish international treaties with other countries without parliamentary approval

Answer

To allow members of the public to propose new laws for parliamentary debate

Question 41

Which of the following exemplifies a private Act of Parliament in the UK?

Accepted Answer

An Act authorizing the construction of a new bridge by a private company

Answer

The Criminal Justice Act 2003, reforming sentencing and court procedures

Answer

The Data Protection Act 2018, regulating the processing of personal data

Answer

The Equality Act 2010, prohibiting discrimination on various grounds

Question 42

How does the Human Rights Act 1998 influence the application of English law?

Accepted Answer

It obligates courts to interpret legislation compatibly with the European Convention on Human Rights, whenever possible.

Answer

It removes the UK Parliament's ability to enact legislation that may conflict with the European Convention on Human Rights.

Answer

It grants the European Court of Human Rights direct authority to overturn UK Supreme Court decisions.

Answer

It automatically incorporates all rulings of the European Court of Human Rights into English law.

Question 43

What is the Law Commission's primary role in the evolution of English law?

Accepted Answer

To conduct research, propose reforms, and advise on modernizing and clarifying legal areas

Answer

To make binding decisions in individual legal cases brought before them

Answer

To draft and enact new legislation independently of the UK Parliament

Answer

To act as legal representatives for the government in court proceedings

Question 44

How did EU law interact with English law prior to Brexit?

Accepted Answer

EU law held supremacy, requiring UK courts to prioritize it over conflicting national provisions.

Answer

EU law had no direct effect on English law but influenced the interpretation of domestic legislation.

Answer

EU law only applied in the UK if specifically incorporated through an Act of Parliament.

Answer

The UK Parliament could choose which EU laws to implement and enforce within the UK.

Question 45

What is the legal significance of the Donoghue v Stevenson (1932) case in English law?

Accepted Answer

It established the 'neighbour principle,' expanding the scope of negligence liability.

Answer

It introduced the concept of strict liability for defective products, regardless of fault.

Answer

It established the legal precedent for claims of emotional distress in personal injury cases.

Answer

It eliminated the requirement for consideration in contract law.