FE-1 Exam at a Glance

What changed for FE-1 in 2026

• Nov 1, 2026: Delivery changed to Online or at the Dublin examination centre (previously Online or at the examination centre in Dublin).^[1]
• Nov 1, 2026: Retake fee changed to €154 per subject (recheck) (previously €154 per subject recheck).^[1]
• Nov 1, 2026: Passing score changed to 50% per paper (previously 50%).^[3]
• Nov 1, 2026: Score release changed to Email shortly before results issue (previously Email notice shortly before online release).^[1]
• Nov 1, 2026: Retake policy changed to Unlimited attempts; all subjects within 7 years (previously Unlimited attempts; all 8 subjects within 7 years).^[3]
• Nov 1, 2026: Validity changed to 7 years from 31 Dec of first pass year (previously 7 years from 31 December of first pass year).^[3]
• Nov 1, 2026: Number of questions (Law of the European Union) changed to Attempt 5 of 8 questions (previously Attempt 5 of 8 questions, 3 hours).^[2]
• Nov 1, 2026: Number of questions changed to 8 papers (previously 8 papers (subjects)).^[1]

FE-1 Study Tips

• Create a structured study schedule at least 4-6 weeks before your FE-1 exam date.
• Focus on understanding core concepts rather than memorising answers for the First Examination of the Law Society of Ireland.
• Use our free practice tests to identify weak areas and track your progress over time.
• Review the official FE-1 exam syllabus to ensure complete topic coverage.
• Take timed practice sessions to build your exam pace and reduce test-day anxiety.

Free FE-1 Study Tools

Interactive FE-1 resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:

• FE-1 flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
• FE-1 study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
• FE-1 cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review

According to Law Society of Ireland, “The examination shall be three hours in duration and candidates will be required to attempt five out of eight questions presented.”^[2]

FE-1 content outline and where to practise each area

The content areas below are copied from the official FE-1 content outline published by Law Society of Ireland. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.

Worked examples: how to reason through FE-1 questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: What is the difference between an EU Regulation and an EU Directive?

1. A Regulation is directly applicable and binding in its entirety; a Directive requires transposition into national law and is binding as to the result to be achieved
2. A Regulation is advisory; a Directive is mandatory
3. A Regulation only applies to member states; a Directive applies to individuals
4. There is no legal difference between them

Answer: A. A Regulation is directly applicable and binding in its entirety; a Directive requires transposition into national law and is binding as to the result to be achieved

Explanation:

Option A is correct. A Regulation is binding in its entirety and applies directly in member states without national legislation. A Directive binds member states as to the result to be achieved, but each state chooses the form and methods, so it must be transposed into national law.

Option B is wrong because it reverses the picture: a Regulation is not advisory, and a Directive is not simply mandatory in a way a Regulation is not. Option C is wrong because the contrast between member states and individuals does not describe the real distinction. Option D is wrong because the legal difference is exactly what the question tests.

Rule to remember: a Regulation operates directly, while a Directive sets an objective and leaves implementation to each state.

Example 2

Question: What is the right to silence under Irish constitutional and criminal law?

1. An accused person generally has the right not to answer questions or give evidence at trial, though adverse inferences may be drawn in certain circumstances
2. An accused must answer all police questions
3. Silence is an admission of guilt
4. The right to silence only applies during trial, not during questioning

Answer: A. An accused person generally has the right not to answer questions or give evidence at trial, though adverse inferences may be drawn in certain circumstances

Explanation:

Option A is correct. An accused person generally has the right not to answer questions or give evidence at trial, but the right is not absolute, and statute allows adverse inferences to be drawn in certain circumstances, for example where a person fails to mention facts later relied on in court.

Option B is wrong because there is no general duty to answer all police questions. Option C is wrong because silence is not treated as an admission of guilt; at most, a court may draw an inference where the law allows it. Option D is wrong because the right is not limited to the trial and also matters during questioning.

Rule to remember: silence is protected, but it can carry consequences where a statute says so.

Example 3

Question: Under the Irish Constitution (Bunreacht na hÉireann 1937), what is the doctrine of constitutional review as established in Byrne v Ireland [1972]?

1. The State can be sued in its own courts, abolishing the old prerogative immunity — the Constitution impliedly waived State immunity from suit
2. The Oireachtas has absolute sovereign power that cannot be reviewed by any court
3. Constitutional review was first established by the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003
4. The President has final authority to determine the constitutionality of legislation

Answer: A. The State can be sued in its own courts, abolishing the old prerogative immunity — the Constitution impliedly waived State immunity from suit

Explanation:

Option A is correct. In Byrne v Ireland [1972], the Supreme Court held that the 1937 Constitution impliedly removed the old prerogative immunity of the State from suit, so the State can be sued in its own courts and can be liable for wrongs committed by its servants.

Option B is wrong because the Oireachtas is not beyond review by the courts. Option C is wrong because the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003 came long after the case and did not establish constitutional review. Option D is wrong because the President does not have final authority to decide whether legislation is constitutional.

Rule to remember: for each leading case, learn the holding and the principle it fixed, not only the name.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official material. Download the current syllabus for each subject you plan to sit and read the regulations on the Law Society website, so you know the format of each paper before you practise.

Next, take a practice set for each subject cold, without notes. Do not worry about the score. Use the result to sort topics into those you can explain and those you can only recognise. Recognising a correct option is easier than writing an answer, so for every question you get right, say aloud why the other options fail.

Then work through your weakest subject in short, regular sessions. After each session, read the explanations for every question you missed and go back to the syllabus or your course notes to fill the gap. Keep a short list of cases and statutes you keep forgetting and review it often.

For the Law of the European Union, practise choosing which questions to attempt, since you answer only part of the paper. Close to test day, repeat the sets you started with and compare the results. Our questions are written by us with AI tools and are not real exam questions, so treat them as practice for reasoning, not a preview of the paper.

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Sample FE-1 Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free FE-1 practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

1. What are the conditions for state liability under the Brasserie du Pêcheur/Factortame III test?

   • A. The rule of law breached must confer rights, the breach must be sufficiently serious, and there must be a direct causal link between breach and damage
   • B. Any breach of EU law gives rise to automatic state liability
   • C. Only intentional breaches of EU law create state liability
   • D. State liability only arises when the European Commission brings proceedings

   Answer: A. The rule of law breached must confer rights, the breach must be sufficiently serious, and there must be a direct causal link between breach and damage

   In Brasserie du Pêcheur/Factortame III (1996), the CJEU established three conditions for state liability: the rule breached must be intended to confer rights on individuals, the breach must be sufficiently serious, and there must be a direct causal link between the breach and the damage.

2. What is the test for remoteness of damage in contract law following Hadley v Baxendale (1854)?

   • A. Damages are recoverable only for losses that arise naturally from the breach or that were within the reasonable contemplation of both parties at the time of contracting as probable consequences
   • B. All losses caused by the breach are recoverable regardless of foreseeability
   • C. Consequential losses are never recoverable in contract
   • D. Remoteness is determined at the time of the breach, not at contracting

   Answer: A. Damages are recoverable only for losses that arise naturally from the breach or that were within the reasonable contemplation of both parties at the time of contracting as probable consequences

   The two limbs of Hadley v Baxendale: damages for losses arising naturally from the breach in the ordinary course of things; and damages for special losses within the reasonable contemplation of both parties at contract formation time.

3. The test for granting an interlocutory injunction in Ireland, derived from American Cyanamid Co v Ethicon Ltd [1975], first requires the court to determine what?

   • A. Whether the plaintiff will definitely succeed at trial
   • B. Whether there is a serious issue to be tried
   • C. Whether the defendant acted in bad faith
   • D. Whether damages have already accrued

   Answer: B. Whether there is a serious issue to be tried

   Under the American Cyanamid test, the first stage requires the plaintiff to demonstrate that there is a serious question to be tried, not a mere frivolous or vexatious claim.

4. What is the role of the European Commission in EU governance?

   • A. It acts as the executive body, proposes legislation, enforces EU law, and manages EU policies and budgets
   • B. It is the main legislative body that passes EU laws
   • C. It is the judicial branch that interprets EU law
   • D. It represents member states' governments in EU decision-making

   Answer: A. It acts as the executive body, proposes legislation, enforces EU law, and manages EU policies and budgets

   The European Commission serves as the EU's executive arm. It has the exclusive right to propose legislation, ensures member states comply with EU law (guardian of the Treaties), implements EU policies, and manages the EU budget.

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Sources & last verified

1. Law Society of Ireland — number of questions, exam fee, retake fee, delivery (official source). “The examination consists of 8 papers” Verified Nov 1, 2026 · source checked Oct 25, 2026.
2. Law Society of Ireland — number of questions (official source). “The examination shall be three hours in duration and candidates will be required to attempt five out of eight questions presented.” Verified Nov 1, 2026.
3. Law Society of Ireland — passing score, retake policy, validity (official source). “The minimum pass mark to be achieved by a candidate in each paper in each FE-1 subject examination is 50% (fifty per cent).” Verified Nov 1, 2026.
4. Law Society of Ireland — other (official source). “company law” Verified Nov 1, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.