LNAT Knowledge 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which doctrine holds that a court is bound by its own previous decisions?
- Res judicata
- Stare decisis (Correct answer)
- Ratio decidendi
- Obiter dictum
Correct answer: Stare decisis
Stare decisis (Latin: 'to stand by things decided') requires courts to follow precedent set by higher or equal courts.
Question 2: Under the US Constitution, which amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures?
- Second Amendment
- Fourth Amendment (Correct answer)
- Fifth Amendment
- Sixth Amendment
Correct answer: Fourth Amendment
The Fourth Amendment prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and requires warrants to be supported by probable cause.
Question 3: What is the legal term for a false statement of fact that harms someone's reputation?
- Libel
- Slander
- Defamation (Correct answer)
- Perjury
Correct answer: Defamation
Defamation is the umbrella term for false statements that harm reputation; libel refers to written form and slander to spoken form.
Question 4: In English law, which court is the highest court of appeal?
- Court of Appeal
- High Court
- Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (Correct answer)
- Privy Council
Correct answer: Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
The UK Supreme Court, established in 2009, replaced the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords as the final court of appeal.
Question 5: What does 'mens rea' refer to in criminal law?
- The physical act of a crime
- The guilty mind or criminal intent (Correct answer)
- The victim's testimony
- The prosecution's burden of proof
Correct answer: The guilty mind or criminal intent
Mens rea (Latin: 'guilty mind') refers to the mental element or criminal intent required for most offences.
Question 6: Which international treaty established the International Criminal Court?
- Treaty of Rome 1957
- Geneva Convention 1949
- Rome Statute 1998 (Correct answer)
- UN Charter 1945
Correct answer: Rome Statute 1998
The Rome Statute, adopted in 1998 and entered into force in 2002, established the International Criminal Court to prosecute genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
Question 7: What is 'judicial review' in the context of US constitutional law?
- Congress reviewing judicial appointments
- Courts reviewing the constitutionality of legislation (Correct answer)
- The President reviewing court decisions
- Appeals courts reviewing trial court verdicts
Correct answer: Courts reviewing the constitutionality of legislation
Judicial review is the power of courts to examine laws and government actions and invalidate those that conflict with the Constitution, established in Marbury v. Madison (1803).
LNAT Knowledge 2
Which doctrine holds that a court is bound by its own previous decisions?