Words And Phrases of Foreign Origin Previous Year Questions with Solutions

Q.1. The Maxim 'ignorantia facti excusat, ignorantia juris non excusat’ means    (DU LLB 2020)
(a) Ignorance of fact excuses, ignorance of law does not excuse
(b) Ignorance of law excuses, ignorance of fact does not excuse
(c) Ignorance due to which mistake occurs is excused if done in good faith
(d) Ignorance due to which a vital mistake occurs, is not excused even if done in good faith

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Directions: Legal phrases are followed by four meanings. Choose the most appropriate option.

Q.2. Autrefois convict    (CLAT, 2017)
(a) Formerly convicted
(b) Doubtful conviction
(c) Failed prosecution
(d) To be convicted.

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Q.3. Lis pendens    (CLAT, 2017)
(a) Facts of case proved
(b) Decided case
(c) Pending suit
(d) No legal issues involved

Correct Answer is Option (c)

Q.4. Faux pas    (CLAT, 2017)
(a) Passage of time
(b) Cheating
(c) Pausing for a while
(d) Tactless mistake

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Q.5. 'Punctum Temporis' means    (CLAT, 2017)
(a) Temporary position
(b) Point of time
(c) Functional authority
(d) Timely assistance

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Q.6. Paripassu    (CLAT, 2017)
(a) On an unequal status
(b) Supremacy of law
(c) Diverse nature
(d) On equal footing

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Q.7. 'Jus Gentium' means    (CLAT, 2017)
(a) Global administrative law
(b) Law of Societies
(c) Law among Nations
(d) Global justice

Correct Answer is Option (c)

Q.8. Bona vacantia    (CLAT, 2017)
(a) Vacant land
(b) Order of the court for eviction
(c) Goods that have no owner
(d) Vacant building

Correct Answer is Option (c)

Q.9. 'Sine die' means    (CLAT, 2017)
(a) Adjourned for the day and scheduled to meet next day again
(b) Adjourned for the day and meet after one week
(c) Adjourned without fixing any date for the next meeting
(d) Adjourned for the day and meet after one month

Correct Answer is Option (c)

Q.10. Perincuriam    (CLAT, 2017)
(a) Mistaken decision
(b) Supremacy of law
(c) Mistaken identity
(d) Supremacy of the Constitution

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Q.11. Lex loci    (CLAT, 2017)
(a) Italian laws
(b) Domestic laws
(c) Latin regulations
(d) Law of a place

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Q.12. Mains animus    (CLAT, 2017)
(a) Bad intention
(b) Animal farm
(c) Good intention
(d) Physical force

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Q.13. 'Animus posssidendi' means    (CLAT, 2017)
(a) Intent to contract
(b) Intention to harm
(c) Intention to return
(d) Intention to possess

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Q.14. Caveat venditor    (CLAT, 2017)
(a) Manufacturer beware
(b) Buyer beware
(c) Seller beware
(d) Transporter beware

Correct Answer is Option (c)

Q.15. ‘Turpis arbiter' means    (CLAT, 2017)
(a) Inefficient lawyer
(b) Corrupt judge
(c) Inefficient judge 
(d) Corrupt prosecutor

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Q.16. In pari delicto    (CLAT, 2017)
(a) Where the petitioner is at fault
(b) Where both parties to a dispute are equally at fault
(c) Where the lawyer is at fault
(d) Where the judge is at fault

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Q.17. El Dorado    (CLAT, 2013)
(a) Animaginary place
(b) High altitude
(c) A literary man
(d) A country full of gold and precious stones

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Q.18. Quantum ramifactus    (CLAT, 2013)
(a) The amount of damage suffered
(b) The amount of damage caused
(c) The amount of damage paid
(d) The amount of damage received

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Q.19. Corpus delicti    (CLAT, 2013)
(a) Fake evidence of an offence
(b) Hearsay evidence of an offence
(c) Lack of evidence of an offence
(d) An evidence which constitute an offence

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Q.20. Vis-a-vis    (CLAT, 2013)
(a) Direct
(b) Opposite
(c) Face-to-face
(d) Agree

Correct Answer is Option (c)

Q.21. Carte blanche    (CLAT, 2013)
(a) Complete authority
(b) Issue the warrant
(c) No authority
(d) Lack of authority

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Q.22. Mala fide    (CLAT, 2012)
(a) generous
(b) bad intention
(c) trustworthy
(d) genuine

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Q.23. Tabula rasa    (CLAT, 2012)
(a) clean slate
(b) agitated
(c) deprived
(d) creative

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Q.24. Carte blanche    (CLAT, 2012
(a) slavery
(b) complete discretion
(c) anarchy
(d) dependent

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Q.25. De jure    (CLAT, 2012)
(a) illegal
(b) heir
(c) concerning law
(d) forbidden

Correct Answer is Option (c)

Q.26. Raison d'etre    (CLAT, 2012)
(a) logical conclusion
(b) reason for existence
(c) free choice
(d) dubious argument

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Q.27. What does the phrase "lexestnorma recti" mean?    (D.U. LL.B., 2012)
(a) Law is a rule of right
(b) Law rules the rights
(c) Law is a rule of State
(d) Law follows equity 

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Q.28. What is the meaning of this Latin phrase "audi alteram partem"?    (D.U. LL.B., 2012)
(a) No one shall be judge in his own cause
(b) No one shall be condemned unheard
(c) Rights are associated with duties
(d) None of the above

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Q.29. The phrase 'defacto' means    (D.U. LL.B., 2012,2009)
(a) all the facts
(b) all the facts and figures
(c) bonafide
(d) for all practical purposes

Correct Answer is Option (d)

Q.30. What is the term used for the principles laid down in a judgment?    (D.U. LL.B., 2012)
(a) Obiter dicta
(b) Ratio decidendi
(c) Jus cogens
(d) Interpretation

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Q.31. The term sine die means    (D.U. LL.B., 2012)
(a) Indefinitely
(b) Inadequate
(c) Signature by a person on death bed
(d) Continuously

Correct Answer is Option (a)