Civics Polity · Law Legal Studies

Judiciary and Legal Systems

1,814 Questions

Judiciary and legal systems form the framework for interpreting laws and delivering justice. Questions in this section explore judicial review, the hierarchy of courts, and the issuance of writs. This topic is crucial for polity and law prelims preparation.

Judicial reviewHigh courts structureIssuance of writsSubordinate courtsPublic interest litigation

Judiciary and Legal Systems Questions

Multiple choice

An appeal shall lie to the Supreme Court from any judgement of a High Court if the High Court

  1. has on appeal, reversed an order of acquittal of an accused person and sentenced him to death

  2. certifies that the case is a fit one for appeal to the Supreme Court

  3. has withdrawn for trial before itself any case from any subordinate court and has convicted the accused person and sentenced him to death

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

An appeal shall lie to the Supreme Court from any judgement of a High Court if the High Court has on appeal, reversed an order of acquittal of an accused person and sentenced him to death or certifies that the case is a fit one for appeal to the Supreme Court or has withdrawn for trial before itself any case from any subordinate court and has convicted the accused person and sentenced him to death.

Multiple choice

The Supreme Court is a court of record. This means

  1. all decisions of the Supreme Court are recorded

  2. all statements of the Supreme Court are binding law

  3. power to punish for its contempt

  4. Both (2) and (3)

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Supreme Court shall be a court of record means all statements of the Supreme Court are binding law and shall have all the powers of such a court including the power to punish for contempt of itself.

Multiple choice

What is appellate jurisdiction?

  1. Jurisdiction to hear suits

  2. Jurisdiction not to hear cases

  3. Jurisdiction to hear appeals

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

It is right. Appellate jurisdiction means power to hear appeals.

Multiple choice

A judge of the Supreme Court can be removed from office only on the grounds of

  1. gross inefficiency

  2. imbecile conduct

  3. proven misbehaviour or incapacity

  4. senility
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Option (3) is correct: A judge of the Supreme Court can be removed under the constitution only on the grounds of proven misconduct or incapacity and by an order of the President of India, only after a notice signed by at least 100 members of the Lok Sabha or 50 members of the Rajya Sabha, is passed by a two-third majority in each House of the Parliament.

Multiple choice

Which of the following former Chief Justices of India introduced the concept of Public Interest Litigation to avoid violation of Fundamental Rights?

  1. R. S. Pathak

  2. Ranganath Mishra

  3. P. N. Bhagwati

  4. E. S. Venkataramiah

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In Indian law, Public Interest Litigation is a litigation for the protection of the public interest. The concept of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is in consonance with the objects enshrined in Article 39A of the Constitution of India to protect and deliver prompt social justice with the help of law.  Justice P. N. Bhagwati introduced the concept of Public Interest Litigation in India.

Multiple choice

The Supreme Court is a court of record means:

  1. It has the powers of a court to punish for contempt of itself

  2. Its judgements are binding on all courts

  3. It has got powers to pass orders for enforcement of its own judgements

  4. Full faith and credit shall be given to all its judgements
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Under Article 129 and Article 141 of the Constitution, 'court of record' has multiple meanings: contempt powers (A), binding precedents (B), and full faith and credit to judgments (D). Option A is correct - contempt power is a key attribute of courts of record.

Multiple choice

The verdict of the 'Donough Vs. Stevenson' was delivered by the following Judge

  1. Justice Black Stone

  2. J. Douglas

  3. Lord Denning

  4. Lord Atkin
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The landmark Donoghue v Stevenson (1932) case, which established the modern law of negligence and the 'neighbor principle', was delivered by Lord Atkin. His speech laid down that you must take reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions which you can reasonably foresee would be likely to injure your neighbor. This became the foundation of negligence law.

Multiple choice

Consider the following judicial decision on the meaning of industry: (i) Indian Red Cross Society Vs. Additional Labour Court, Chandigarh. (ii) Dhanrajgiri Hospital Vs. Workmen. (iii) State of Punjab Vs. Kuldeep Singh. (iv) Prema Govinda Vs. Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association, Bangalore. The correct order in which these judicial decisions were rendered is:

  1. (ii), (iii), (i) and (iv)

  2. (iii), (ii), (ii') and (i)

  3. (iv), (iii), (i) and (ii)

  4. (ii), (i), (iii) and (iv)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This question requires knowledge of the chronological order of specific Indian Supreme Court decisions interpreting 'industry' under the Industrial Disputes Act. The claimed order is Dhanrajgiri Hospital (ii), Bangalore Water Supply (not listed but influential), Indian Red Cross Society (i), State of Punjab (iii), and Prema Govinda (iv). Without verification of exact case dates, the claimed order (ii), (i), (iii), (iv) is provided.