LNAT Legal Reasoning 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A statute states: 'No vehicles are permitted in the park.' A man enters the park on a motorized wheelchair. Which interpretive approach would most likely permit his entry?
- Literal rule
- Golden rule
- Purposive approach (Correct answer)
- Ejusdem generis
Correct answer: Purposive approach
The purposive approach considers legislative intent — if the law aimed to reduce noise/danger, a medical device may be excluded.
Question 2: Under the doctrine of precedent, which court's decisions are strictly binding on all other English courts?
- Court of Appeal
- High Court
- Supreme Court (Correct answer)
- Crown Court
Correct answer: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court sits at the apex of the hierarchy and its decisions bind all lower courts.
Question 3: A defendant is charged with theft. The prosecution proves he took the item but cannot prove he intended to permanently deprive the owner. What is the most likely outcome?
- Conviction for theft
- Conviction for fraud
- Acquittal on theft (Correct answer)
- Conviction for burglary
Correct answer: Acquittal on theft
Theft requires both actus reus (taking) and mens rea (intent to permanently deprive); without the latter, the theft charge fails.
Question 4: Which principle holds that a person cannot benefit from their own wrongdoing in law?
- Ex turpi causa (Correct answer)
- Nemo dat quod non habet
- Ex post facto
- Volenti non fit injuria
Correct answer: Ex turpi causa
Ex turpi causa (unclean hands) prevents a claimant from relying on their own illegal act to found a claim.
Question 5: A judge disagrees with a precedent set by a court of equal standing. What technique can she legitimately use to avoid following it?
- Overruling
- Reversing
- Distinguishing (Correct answer)
- Affirming
Correct answer: Distinguishing
Distinguishing allows a judge to show the material facts differ enough that the precedent does not apply.
Question 6: In contract law, an offer is made by post and the offeree posts an acceptance that never arrives. Under the postal rule, is a contract formed?
- No, because the offeror never received it
- Yes, when the letter was posted (Correct answer)
- Yes, only if the offeror replies
- No, the postal rule does not apply to acceptances
Correct answer: Yes, when the letter was posted
The postal rule provides that acceptance is complete upon posting, not upon receipt by the offeror.
Question 7: Parliament enacts a law that contradicts an earlier Act. Under the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty, what happens?
- Both Acts apply simultaneously
- Courts choose the more just Act
- The later Act impliedly repeals the earlier one (Correct answer)
- The earlier Act prevails as established law
Correct answer: The later Act impliedly repeals the earlier one
Parliamentary sovereignty means Parliament cannot bind its successors; a later Act impliedly repeals inconsistent earlier legislation.
LNAT Legal Reasoning 2
A statute states: 'No vehicles are permitted in the park.' A man enters the park on a motorized wheelchair.
Which interpretive approach would most likely permit his entry?