KSLU Law of Torts Past Questions & Exam Topics
KSLU Law of Torts Past Questions & Exam Topics
To crack the KSLU exam for Law of Torts, analyzing past trends is crucial. Below is a unit-wise breakdown of theory and problem questions compiled from KSLU semester papers.
How to read the map:
- ⭐⭐⭐ : Asked 5+ times — Must Cover
- ⭐⭐ : Asked 3–4 times — High Priority
- ⭐ : Asked 1–2 times
[16M]/[10M]: Essay marks[6M]/[SN]: Short notes / brief topics[Prob]: Solved problem fact patterns
📅 Unit 1 — Introduction, Nature & Scope of Tort
Topic-wise Questions
| # | Topic | Questions & Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Definition of Tort & Essential elements | [16M/15M] Define tort and discuss its essentials: 2012(100), 2014(100), 2017(100, define+elements), 2019Dec(100); [10M] 2021Oct(80), 2022Jun(80), 2024Aug(80, define tortious liability); [16M] critically evaluate definitions 2026Jan(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 1.2 | Tort distinguished from Crime & Contract | [16M/15M] 2011(100), 2012Dec(100), 2013Dec(100), 2014Jun(100), 2014Dec(100), 2015Jun(100), 2016Dec(100), 2025Feb(100, nature + distinguish); [10M] 2021Apr(80, from breach of contract), 2021Oct(80), 2022Apr(80), 2023Oct(80), 2024Aug(80), 2019Jun(80), 2026Jan(80); [6M] distinguish tort & contract 2025Feb(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 1.3 | “All torts are civil wrongs but all civil wrongs are not torts” | [16M/15M] 2012Dec(100), 2019Jun(100), 2020Dec(100); [10M] 2022Jun(80), 2025Feb(80) ⭐⭐ |
| 1.4 | “Every injury imports damage but every damage is not injury” | [16M/15M] 2013Jun(100), 2020Dec(100); [10M] 2023Apr(80), 2024Aug(80) ⭐⭐ |
| 1.5 | Evolution / development of law of torts (England & India) | [15M] 2012Jan(100); [10M] 2023Apr(80); [6M/5M] Evolution in India 2011(100), 2023Oct(80) ⭐⭐ |
| 1.6 | Ubi jus ibi remedium (development of the maxim) | [10M] trace development 2022Jun(80); [6M/5M] 2011(100), 2012Dec(100), 2013Dec(100), 2021Apr(80), 2022Apr(80), 2024Aug(80), 2021Oct(80); [8M] ubi jus ibi idem remedium 2019Jun(100) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 1.7 | Damnum sine injuria & Injuria sine damnum | [16M/15M] 2012Jan(100, distinguish), 2012Jun(100), 2017Jun(100), 2018Jun(100, +define tort), 2018Dec(100), 2026Jan(100); [10M] 2018Dec(80), 2019Jun(80), 2019Dec(80, damnum sine injuria); [8M/6M/5M] 2011(100), 2021Oct(80, injuria sine damnum), 2023Oct(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 1.8 | Mental elements — Intention, Motive, Malice in Law & in Fact | [16M/15M] importance of mental elements 2011(100, OR), 2013Dec(100, OR); distinguish intention/motive/malice 2013Jun(100); [10M] 2018Dec(80), 2023Oct(80), 2025Feb(80); [8M/6M/5M] malice in fact & in law 2012Dec(100), 2017Jun? , 2022Jun(80), malice in law 2022Apr(80), intention vs motive 2012Jan(100), motive 2019Jun(80)/2026Jan(80), mental elements 2024Aug(80)/2026Jan(80), mental element in torts 2018Jun(100, SN) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 1.9 | Legal damage as an essential element of tort | [16M] 2021Apr(100); [10M] 2021Apr(80), 2026Jan(80, OR) ⭐⭐ |
Application Problems (all papers)
Every fact-pattern problem touching Unit-I principles. Tagged with year + paper weight; decoy fact flagged; look-alikes merged with neutral labels.
| Year(s) (paper) | Problem summary (neutral labels, with the decoy) | Key issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2012Jan(100) | Coal-mine owner A sues miners’ union for inducing workmen to take holidays to keep up coal price; A suffers loss. Decoy: deliberate intention to harm. | Lawful trade combination causing loss → damnum sine injuria (Mogul Steamship / Allen v Flood) |
| 2012Jun(100); 2019Dec(80) | Qualified voter’s vote wrongfully refused by Returning Officer though his candidate wins (2019Dec); OR an MLA wrongfully detained by police, not produced before Magistrate (2012Jun) — which legal right violated? Decoy: no actual/pecuniary loss. | Violation of legal right without damage → injuria sine damno (Ashby v White / Bhim Singh) |
| 2012Jun(100) | School-master removed unlawfully opens rival school; students leave old school which closes with huge loss; old school sues him. Decoy: malice/competitive motive. | Lawful competition causing loss → damnum sine injuria (Gloucester Grammar School) |
| 2013Dec(100) | Banker X refuses to honour customer’s cheque despite sufficient funds; customer sues though no monetary loss. Decoy: no actual loss suffered. | Injuria sine damno (Marzetti v Williams) |
| 2018Dec(80) | A walks across B’s field/garden without permission, causing no damage — wrongful act? Decoy: “no damage done”. | Trespass actionable per se / injuria sine damno |
| 2018Dec(80); 2018Dec(100) | X digs a well / constructs a well on his own land; neighbour Y’s well dries up; can Y sue? Decoy: harm/loss to Y is real. | No natural right to underground percolating water → damnum sine injuria (Chasemore v Richards / Acton v Blundell) |
| 2019Dec(80) | Plaintiff builds 16 shops on old foundation without municipal permission; municipality demolishes; claims compensation. Decoy: real financial loss. | Lawful exercise of statutory authority over an illegal act → damnum sine injuria |
📅 Unit 2 — General Defences & Vicarious Liability
Topic-wise Questions
| # | Topic | Questions & Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | General defences — enumerate & examine | [16M/15M] 2014Jun(100), 2014Dec(100), 2016Jun(100), 2018Dec(100), 2019Jun(100), 2020Dec(100, justifications for torts); [10M] 2021Oct(80), 2023Apr(80, defences to defendant), 2023Oct(80), 2024Aug(80), 2026Jan(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 2.2 | Volenti non fit injuria (consent) + exceptions | [16M/15M] 2012Jan(100), 2012Dec(100, “one who agrees to suffer risk”), 2015Jun(100, “harm suffered voluntarily…”), 2019Dec(100), 2021Apr(100), 2026Jan(100); [10M] 2022Apr(80), 2025Feb(80), 2019Jun(80, exceptions), 2019Dec(80), 2021Apr(80, consent as defence); [8M] 2017Jun(100, SN) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 2.3 | Specific defences — Inevitable accident, Act of God, Statutory authority, Private defence, Necessity, Mistake | [15M] act of God/inevitable accident/statutory authority 2012Jun(100), 2013Jun(100), 2013Dec(100); [10M] act of God & inevitable accident 2022Jun(80); inevitable accident & private defence 2018Dec(80); savouring functions & statutory authority 2026Jan(80); [6M/5M] private defence 2013Dec(100), vis major 2019Jun(80)/2017Jun(100), statutory authority 2021Apr(80) ⭐⭐ |
| 2.4 | Vicarious liability — master’s liability for servant’s wrongs; master–servant relationship; scope of employment | [16M/15M] 2011(100), 2012Jan(100), 2012Jun(100, MSR test), 2012Dec(100), 2013Jun(100, mistake/fraud/negligence of servant), 2013Dec(100), 2014Jun(100, MSR), 2014Dec(100), 2016Dec(100), 2017Jun(100), 2018Jun(100), 2019Dec(100); [10M] 2021Apr(80), 2021Oct(80), 2022Apr(80), 2022Jun(80), 2023Apr(80), 2023Oct(80), 2024Aug(80), 2025Feb(80), 2026Jan(80), 2018Dec(80); [16M] 2025Feb(100), 2019Jun(100, MSR); [16M] circumstances employer liable 2021Apr(100) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 2.5 | State / Government liability for torts of servants | [16M] 2017Dec(100), 2018Dec(100) ⭐ |
| 2.6 | Servant vs Independent contractor; Common employment; Rescue cases; Respondeat superior | [8M/6M/5M] rescue cases 2011(100), 2017Dec(100), 2026Jan(80); doctrine of common employment 2011(100); servant vs independent contractor 2012Jan(100); fraud of servant 2022Jun(80); respondeat superior doctrine 2024Aug(80) ⭐⭐ |
Application Problems (all papers)
| Year(s) (paper) | Problem summary (neutral labels, with the decoy) | Key issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2012Jan(100); 2014Dec(100); 2016Dec(100); 2020Dec(100); 2021Oct(80); 2017Jun(100) | Two dogs fighting; A beats them to separate; bystander B watching is accidentally struck in the eye and seriously injured. Decoy: act was intentional (beating). | Inevitable accident / trespass to person needs intention or negligence (Stanley v Powell) |
| 2018Dec(80); 2019Dec(80); 2025Feb(80) | Owner leaves car with dog inside, goes shopping; dog smashes window, glass splinter blinds passer-by P. Decoy: animal’s spontaneous act. | Liability for harm by animal / inevitable accident; no negligence ⇒ not liable |
| 2018Dec(80) | Plaintiff gives fur coat for dry-cleaning; defendant assigns it to his servant who steals the coat. Decoy: theft is the servant’s own benefit. | Vicarious liability for servant’s theft within course of employment (Morris v C.W. Martin) |
| 2012Dec(100) | A gives money + cheque to a friend (bank employee) to deposit; the friend misappropriates it — is the bank liable? Decoy: act done for personal gain. | VL for servant’s fraud in course of employment (Lloyd v Grace, Smith & Co.) |
| 2013Jun(100); 2023Apr(80) | Bus parked after day’s work; conductor, in driver’s absence and without consent, drives it in neighbouring streets and injures plaintiff. Decoy: act unauthorised / outside duty. | Act outside course of employment ⇒ master not liable (Beard v London General Omnibus) |
| 2019Jun(80); 2018Jun(100) | Omnibus driver with printed instructions not to race/obstruct disobeys, races, collides and damages plaintiff’s omnibus. Decoy: express prohibition. | Prohibited mode of doing authorised act still in scope ⇒ master liable (Limpus v London General Omnibus) |
| 2022Jun(80) | A, driver of B’s car, takes it out of town for his own work without B’s permission and negligently injures a pedestrian. Decoy: “no permission / personal work”. | Frolic of one’s own ⇒ master not liable (Storey v Ashton) |
| 2022Apr(80) | T leaves scooty at X’s garage; X’s servant takes it out for a test drive and injures Y. Decoy: test drive seems personal. | Test drive incidental to repair ⇒ within scope; employer liable |
| 2023Oct(80) | Driver suspects boys pilfering sugar from employer’s truck and strikes a boy to protect the employer’s property; boy injured. Decoy: excessive/over-zealous force. | Act for protection of master’s property in scope ⇒ VL (Poland v John Parr) |
| 2024Aug(80) | Conductor of a private bus, while reversing for the return journey, causes an accident injuring A. Decoy: reversing ≠ driving duty. | Incidental to employment ⇒ owner vicariously liable |
| 2023Apr(80) | A lets out his crane with driver B to C under a contract stating B shall be C’s servant; B negligently injures X. Decoy: contract term naming C as employer. | Who is liable — general vs temporary employer; burden of shifting control (Mersey Docks v Coggins & Griffith) |
| 2014Jun(100) | Plaintiff and her husband both employed at defendant’s lodge (husband as manager, wife as helper); wife injured by husband’s negligence; she sues the employer. Decoy: doctrine of common employment. | VL & abolition/limits of common employment defence |
| 2012Jun(100); 2013Jun(100) | Govt’s military employees take firewood by a river believing it belongs to Govt; real owner sues the Govt. Decoy: bona fide mistaken belief. | VL / conversion by servants; mistake no defence to conversion |
| 2012Jun(100) | Defendant sends nitric acid to a carrier without any warning; the carrier’s servant is injured by its escape while handling it. Decoy: act of the carrier’s own servant. | Duty to warn carrier of dangerous goods (Farrant v Barnes) |
| 2013Dec(100) | School-master canes a pupil who, contrary to school rules, was smoking in the street. Decoy: offence committed outside school. | Authority/quasi-parental defence; reasonableness of chastisement |
| 2021Apr(80); 2023Oct(80); 2016Jun(100) | Defendant shoots a dog — one that was chasing him / attacking his sheep & pigs / merely barking and running away. Justified? Decoy: degree of threat (animal fleeing vs attacking). | Private defence of person/property against animals; force must be proportionate & threat imminent (Cresswell v Sirl) |
📅 Unit 3 — Negligence, Nuisance, Strict & Absolute Liability, Remedies, Remoteness
Topic-wise Questions
| # | Topic | Questions & Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | Negligence — definition, essentials, nature; duty of care (Donoghue v Stevenson) | [16M/15M] nature/essentials 2014Jun(100), 2016Jun(100), 2017Dec(100); Donoghue v Stevenson 2018Jun(100); [15M] define + legal duty 2013Jun(100), ingredients 2013Dec(100); [10M] 2019Dec(80), 2022Jun(80), 2023Oct(80), 2024Aug(80), 2025Feb(80); [8M] negligence SN 2020Dec(100), 2021Apr(100) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 3.2 | Contributory negligence; doctrine of last opportunity / alternative danger | [16M/15M] 2012Dec(100, +alternative danger), 2017Jun(100), 2018Dec(100, +application in India); [8M/6M] last-opportunity 2018Dec(100), contributory negligence 2026Jan(80) ⭐⭐ |
| 3.3 | Nervous shock | [16M] 2016Jun(100), 2018Jun(100, “true nervous shock…”); [8M] SN 2014Dec(100) ⭐ |
| 3.4 | Res ipsa loquitur | [8M/5M] 2012Jan(100), 2013Jun(100), 2018Dec(100), 2019Jun(100) ⭐⭐ |
| 3.5 | Remoteness of damage — Re Polemis, Wagon Mound, foreseeability; In jure non remota causa… | [16M/15M] 2012Jan(100, foreseeability), 2013Jun(100), 2013Dec(100), 2014Dec(100), 2016Dec(100), 2017Dec(100, foreseeability), 2019Dec(100), 2025Feb(100), 2026Jan(100); [10M] 2022Jun(80), 2022Apr(80), 2018Dec(80), 2026Jan(80, tests); maxim in jure non remota causa 2012Jun(100), 2023Apr(80); [6M] remoteness SN 2023Oct(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 3.6 | Nuisance — meaning, kinds, public vs private, essentials, remedies | [16M/15M] 2011(100, kinds), 2012Jun(100, essentials+remedies), 2016Dec(100), 2017Dec(100, kinds), 2020Dec(100, meaning/scope + private-nuisance remedies), 2026Jan(100, kinds); [10M] private vs public 2019Jun(80), 2021Apr(80), 2021Oct(80); essentials 2022Apr(80); kinds 2024Aug(80); [8M/6M/5M] remedies for nuisance 2012Dec(100)/2013Dec(100), public nuisance 2022Jun(80), nuisance SN 2015Jun(100)/2016Jun(100) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 3.7 | Strict & Absolute liability — Rylands v Fletcher, exceptions, M.C. Mehta / absolute | [16M/15M] 2011(100), 2012Dec(100, +exceptions), 2014Jun(100, rule), 2014Dec(100, Rylands + MC Mehta oleum), 2015Jun(100, strict vs absolute), 2015Dec(100), 2016Jun(100, +exceptions), 2017Jun(100, justifications), 2019Jun(100), 2020Dec(100, +exceptions), 2021Apr(100, +development in India); [10M] 2019Jun(80), 2021Apr(80), 2021Oct(80), 2023Oct(80, distinguish absolute), 2026Jan(80, development strict→absolute); [8M/6M] strict-liability SN 2019Dec(100), 2024Aug(80), 2022Apr(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 3.8 | Legal remedies / kinds of remedies / damages & awards | [16M] kinds of remedies 2014Dec(100), 2015Dec(100), 2017Jun(100); [10M] damages & kinds 2025Feb(80); [8M/6M/5M] 2015Jun(100), 2019Dec(80, OR), 2023Oct(80, legal remedies), kinds of damages 2020Dec(100) ⭐⭐ |
Application Problems (all papers)
| Year(s) (paper) | Problem summary (neutral labels, with the decoy) | Key issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2012Dec(100); 2019Jun(80); 2025Feb(80) | Plaintiff lives next to a church/chapel whose bell rings loudly at all hours of day and night; (priest is defendant). Decoy: religious/lawful purpose of the bell. | Private nuisance — unreasonable interference with comfort |
| 2012Jun(100); 2025Feb(100); 2018Jun(100) | Cricket ball hit out of the ground strikes a person on the adjoining highway; such hits were rare/foreseeable (e.g., Virat Kohli hits ball onto spectator). Decoy: event very rare. | Negligence & reasonable foreseeability (Bolton v Stone) |
| 2012Jun(100); 2013Jun(100); 2018Jun(100) | A municipal/metropolitan borough, by council resolution, erects a stand on a highway. Liability? Decoy: act done under a formal resolution. | Public nuisance on highway; statutory body not immune |
| 2011(100) | A circus lion escapes and injures spectators; liability of the circus manager. Decoy: escape was accidental. | Strict liability for dangerous animals — scienter / Rylands principle |
| 2011(100); 2019Jun(100) | X obstructs a road with a pole; Y, riding rashly in the dusk, is thrown and injured; pole was visible at 100 m. Decoy: pole visible at 100 m (rash riding). | Public nuisance on highway + contributory negligence |
| 2019Dec(80) | A water main is laid properly but bursts in a severe frost and floods plaintiff’s premises. Decoy: “laid properly”. | Rylands v Fletcher exception — act of God (Nichols v Marsland) |
| 2014Jun(100) | X, hunting, fires at a bird; a pellet recoils off a tree and strikes Y who is carrying cartridges. Decoy: target was a bird, not Y. | Inevitable accident / no negligence (Stanley v Powell) |
| 2014Jun(100) | X ploughs his land; thistles grow naturally and seeds blow onto neighbour Y’s land. Decoy: harm to Y is real. | Natural growth not actionable nuisance (Giles v Walker) |
| 2013Dec(100) | Ice-cream maker sells sub-standard ice-cream to a retailer; a customer’s friend falls ill after eating it. Decoy: victim was not the buyer (no privity). | Manufacturer’s negligence; duty owed to ultimate consumer (Donoghue v Stevenson) |
| 2021Oct(80) | Defendant’s bone-manure business attracts rats; rats go to plaintiff’s land and eat his corn. Decoy: damage done by rats, not defendant directly. | Nuisance / liability for foreseeable consequences (rats) |
| 2021Apr(80) | X lives on the first floor; Y plans a flour mill on the ground floor which will disturb X; advise X. Decoy: mill not yet started. | Private nuisance; quia-timet injunction |
| 2021Oct(80); 2020Dec(100) | A vegetable/fair-price/kerosene shop’s customer queue extends onto the highway and blocks neighbouring shops. Decoy: shopkeeper not at fault for the crowd. | Public/private nuisance from queues (Lyons v Gulliver) |
| 2015Jun(100) | A 100-year-old clock tower (60-yr expected life) under Municipal Corporation’s exclusive control collapses, killing 25. Decoy: tower had outlived its life. | Res ipsa loquitur; occupier’s negligence (M.C. Delhi v Subhagwanti) |
| 2023Apr(80) | While a house is being white-washed the painter slips, touches a cupboard placed on the window-sill, which falls and injures passer-by Kulkarni. Decoy: accident during routine work. | Res ipsa loquitur / negligence of occupier |
| 2023Apr(80) | Ship chartered to carry benzene/petrol; vapour collects; a plank dropped by negligent workers causes a spark, fire destroys the ship. Decoy: fire was an unexpected consequence. | Remoteness — directness test (Re Polemis) |
| 2022Jun(80) | A barrel of flour falls from a first-floor window onto A walking on the pavement. Decoy: no direct proof of negligence. | Res ipsa loquitur (Byrne v Boadle) |
| 2022Apr(80) | Husband, standing on the foot-board of a bus, dies when the driver overtakes a stationary bus too closely; widow claims. Decoy: deceased on foot-board (contributory). | Driver’s negligence vs contributory negligence |
| 2021Oct(80) | Customers R and her husband in a shop; sky-light glass falls and injures the husband; R, trying to save him, sprains her leg needing surgery. Decoy: rescuer’s own injury. | Negligence to rescuer; foreseeability of rescue (Haynes v Harwood) |
| 2025Feb(80) | A throws a lighted squib into a market; B and then C throw it on to save themselves; it bursts in D’s face. Decoy: intervening acts of B and C. | Remoteness / transferred trespass (Scott v Shepherd) |
| 2017Dec(100) | A and B searching for a gas leak each apply a naked light to the pipe in turn; one causes an explosion. Decoy: only one actually caused it. | Joint tortfeasors / contributory negligence |
| 2015Dec(100) | A fails to save a drowning child — is he tortiously liable? Decoy: moral duty to rescue. | No legal duty to act (nonfeasance) — unless special relationship |
| 2026Jan(80) | A lifeguard at a public pool, busy on his phone, fails to save a drowning boy. Decoy: omission, not act. | Duty of care exists (employed lifeguard) + vicarious liability of employer |
| 2017Jun(100) | A lady sits under a ceiling fan in a hotel; while she eats, the fan falls and injures her; she sues the owner. Decoy: no direct evidence of fault. | Res ipsa loquitur; occupier’s liability |
| 2019Dec(100) | A leaves his donkey, front legs tied, on the roadside; B’s negligently driven car runs it over and kills it; A sues B. Decoy: donkey wrongly left on road. | Contributory negligence & last-opportunity rule (Davies v Mann) |
| 2021Apr(100) | A pregnant woman sees the defendant’s van driven rashly, fears it will run her over, suffers nervous shock and a still-birth; she was never struck. Decoy: no physical impact. | Nervous shock — liability without impact (Dulieu v White / Bourhill v Young) |
📅 Unit 4 — Torts Against Person & Property
Topic-wise Questions
| # | Topic | Questions & Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 4.1 | Assault & Battery — define, distinguish, justifications (Mayhem) | [16M/15M] 2011(100), 2012Jan(100), 2012Dec(100), 2013Dec(100), 2015Jun(100, +justifications), 2019Dec(100); [10M] 2021Oct(80), 2019Jun(80), 2022Apr(80), 2025Feb(80); [16M] 2025Feb(100), 2026Jan(100, define assault + difference); [8M/6M] assault SN 2016Dec(100), 2021Apr(80), 2026Jan(80); assault & battery SN 2016Jun(100); pointing a loaded vs unloaded pistol 2014Jun(100) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 4.2 | False Imprisonment — essentials, defences, remedies | [16M/15M] 2012Jun(100, +defences), 2014Jun(100, what plaintiff must prove + defences), 2016Dec(100, +remedies); [10M] 2021Oct(80), 2022Jun(80), 2023Oct(80, +remedies), 2024Aug(80, +case laws); [8M/5M] SN 2012Jan(100), 2012Dec(100), 2016Jun(100) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 4.3 | Defamation — define, Libel vs Slander, slander actionable per se, defences | [16M/15M] 2011(100, +defences), 2012Dec(100, defences), 2016Jun(100, essentials), 2016Dec(100, libel/slander + per se), 2017Jun(100, defences), 2018Jun(100, essentials), 2019Dec(100, +defences), 2020Dec(100, libel vs slander), 2026Jan(100, +slander per se); [10M] 2018Dec(80, libel vs slander), 2019Jun(80, +per se), 2022Apr(80), 2024Aug(80, OR), 2026Jan(80, defences); [16M] 2019Jun(100, libel vs slander + per se) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 4.4 | Innuendo | [8M/6M/5M] 2012Jan(100), 2022Apr(80), 2022Jun(80), 2025Feb(100) ⭐⭐ |
| 4.5 | Malicious Prosecution — essentials/ingredients | [16M/15M] 2012Jan(100), 2014Jun(100), 2015Jun(100), 2015Dec(100), 2017Dec(100), 2019Jun(100); [10M] 2023Apr(80), 2023Oct(80), 2022Jun(80), 2021Apr(80), 2026Jan(80); [8M/6M] SN 2019Dec(100), 2019Jun(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 4.6 | Conspiracy; Intimidation; Abuse of legal process | [16M] conspiracy 2018Jun(100); [15M] parental rights/conspiracy/libel 2012Jun(100); [10M] conspiracy 2019Dec(80), 2023Apr(80); intimidation note 2019Dec(80) ⭐ |
| 4.7 | Domestic & other rights — Marital/Consortium, Parental, Service, Inducing breach of contract | [10M] right of consortium 2025Feb(80); [8M/6M/5M] marital rights 2013Jun(100), 2024Aug(80); inducing breach of contract 2013Dec(100), 2023Apr(80) ⭐ |
| 4.8 | Torts against property — Trespass to land, Trespass to goods, Conversion, Detinue | [16M] trespass to land + remedies 2021Apr(100); trespass to person 2015Dec(100); tort of conversion 2018Dec(100); [10M] conversion 2018Dec(80); [8M] conversion SN 2018Jun(100), 2025Feb(100) ⭐⭐ |
Application Problems (all papers)
| Year(s) (paper) | Problem summary (neutral labels, with the decoy) | Key issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2025Feb(100); 2015Dec(100); 2017Dec(100) | As a practical joke X tells the plaintiff her husband lost both legs / met a serious accident; she suffers nervous shock, serious illness, hair turns white. Liable? Decoy: “it was only a joke”. | Intentional infliction of nervous shock (Wilkinson v Downton) |
| 2012Jun(100); 2014Dec(100) | A, chairman of a parish meeting; B, seated some places away, turns unruly, is voted to be ejected, advances on A with clenched fists but is stopped by the warden before reaching him. Wrong committed? Decoy: B was stopped before any contact. | Assault — reasonable apprehension of force (Stephens v Myers) |
| 2012Jun(100) | A makes a charge against B; the Magistrate orders B into custody pending investigation; B sues A for false imprisonment. Decoy: it was the Magistrate who ordered custody. | False imprisonment vs merely setting the law in motion (Austin v Dowling) |
| 2014Jun(100); 2021Oct(80) | Holder of a circus/theatre ticket is forcibly turned out by the manager under a mistaken belief that he had not paid. Damages? Decoy: genuine mistake by manager. | False imprisonment & conditional licence (Robinson v Balmain Ferry) |
| 2011(100); 2023Oct(80) | A famous cricketer’s / amateur footballer’s image is used in an advertisement (biscuit / caricature) without consent. Advise on remedies. Decoy: no express false statement. | Defamation by innuendo / appropriation of personality (Tolley v J.S. Fry) |
| 2015Jun(100); 2022Apr(80) | Newspaper publishes that a man married a woman / a woman gave birth to twins; but he was already married / she had married only two months ago; the wife sues. Decoy: statement literally about a third party. | Defamation by innuendo of the spouse (Cassidy v Daily Mirror / Morrison v Ritchie) |
| 2016Dec(100); 2020Dec(100) | Defendant produces a film (“Rasputin the Mad Monk”) falsely imputing that the plaintiff (a Russian princess) was seduced; she sues. Decoy: it is fiction/film, not a statement. | Libel/slander in film; identification of plaintiff (Youssoupoff v MGM) |
| 2013Dec(100) | A sends B a letter containing words defamatory of B; the letter is opened and read by B’s own servant. Will B succeed? Decoy: read only by B’s servant. | Publication to a third person (Theaker v Richardson) |
| 2015Dec(100) | Defendant sends the plaintiff a defamatory letter in Urdu, which the plaintiff (not knowing Urdu) has read out by a third person; defendant knew he didn’t know Urdu. Decoy: plaintiff couldn’t read it himself. | Publication + knowledge that a third person would read (innuendo) |
| 2023Apr(80) | Defendant writes a very abusive letter to a virtuous woman, seals it properly and posts it to her. Defamation? Decoy: abusive words used. | No publication to a third person ⇒ not defamation (Mahender Ram) |
| 2025Feb(80) | A member of Parliament calls a citizen “a smuggler” in a speech during House proceedings; discuss the citizen’s rights. Decoy: the words were defamatory. | Absolute privilege for parliamentary proceedings |
| 2019Jun(80); 2026Jan(80) | A defames B and dies before B can sue. Has B any remedy? Decoy: a clear defamation occurred. | Actio personalis moritur cum persona — death of party |
| 2023Oct(80) | A prison warden forcibly feeds a hunger-striking prisoner to save his life; the prisoner sues. Decoy: act done to save life. | Battery & defence of necessity (Leigh v Gladstone) |
| 2024Aug(80) | State the facts and rule in Bird v Jones (partial obstruction of a bridge). Decoy: claimant was prevented from going one way. | False imprisonment needs total restraint, not partial |
| 2021Apr(80) | X borrows a wrist-watch from Y for a few days and later sells it. Tort committed? Decoy: lawful initial possession. | Conversion of goods |
| 2018Dec(80) | To protect his crop from trespassing pigs, X lays traps; Y’s cow strays in, is trapped and killed. Liable? Decoy: X was protecting his crop. | Unlawful traps / liability for cattle (Deane v Clayton) |
| 2018Dec(80) | Several persons combine and go to a theatre to boo and hoot an actor off the stage. Liability? Decoy: they acted in combination. | Conspiracy needs unlawful means/purpose; lawful expression not actionable |
| 2025Feb(80) | In darkness, defendant’s cattle stray into plaintiff’s garden and one knocks down and injures the plaintiff. Decoy: it was dark / unintended. | Cattle trespass — strict liability of the keeper |
📅 Unit 5 — Consumer Protection Act & Motor Vehicles Act
Topic-wise Questions
| # | Topic | Questions & Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 5.1 | CPA salient features / objects / growth of consumer law | [16M] 2015Jun(100), growth & development 2020Dec(100); [10M] 2021Oct(80), 2023Oct(80, 2019), 2025Feb(80, 2019) ⭐⭐ |
| 5.2 | Who is a “consumer”; aims & objectives | [16M/15M] 2012Jan(100, +objectives), 2012Jun(100, +aims), 2013Jun(100, concept of consumer), 2018Dec(100, definition); [10M] 2022Jun(80, OR), 2024Aug(80, +rights) ⭐⭐ |
| 5.3 | National Commission — composition, powers, jurisdiction | [16M] 2012Jan(100), 2025Feb(100); [10M] 2019Jun(80), 2026Jan(80); [6M] National Consumer Commission SN 2023Apr(80) ⭐⭐ |
| 5.4 | State Commission — composition, appointment, jurisdiction | [16M/15M] 2011(100, OR), 2012Jun(100), 2013Dec(100), 2016Jun(100), 2018Jun(100), 2019Dec(100), 2026Jan(100, 2019); [10M] 2018Dec(80), 2019Dec(80, 1986), 2022Apr(80, 2019) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 5.5 | District Forum / District Commission — composition, jurisdiction, complaint procedure | [16M/15M] complaint procedure 2011(100); consumer & services + District Forum 2014Dec(100); 2016Dec(100), 2017Jun(100), 2017Dec(100, complaint & complainant), 2019Jun(100), 2021Apr(100); [10M] 2022Jun(80), procedure on complaint 2021Apr(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 5.6 | Consumer rights | [16M/15M] 2013Jun(100); [10M] 2023Apr(80), 2024Aug(80); [5M] SN 2012Dec(100) ⭐⭐ |
| 5.7 | Medical services / liability of doctors; deficiency in service | [15M] liability of doctors 2012Dec(100); [8M/6M/5M] medical services 2014Jun(100); deficiency in service 2019Dec(80), 2022Apr(80), 2024Aug(80), 2026Jan(80) ⭐⭐ |
| 5.8 | Defect in goods / Product liability | [6M] defective goods 2021Apr(80), 2022Jun(80), 2023Apr(80); product liability 2022Apr(80) ⭐ |
| 5.9 | Complaint / Complainant; Appeals; Mediation; Limitation; Penalties | [15M] complaint & complainant 2014Jun(100), 2017Dec(100); appeals 2011(100), 2013Dec(100); [6M] complaint SN 2021Oct(80); mediation under CPA 2019 2023Oct(80) ⭐⭐ |
| 5.10 | Unfair / Restrictive / Monopolistic trade practices; Consumer Protection Council; Service | [8M/6M/5M] restrictive 2012Jan(100)/2013Dec(100)/2019Dec(80); monopolistic 2012Dec(100); unfair trade practice 2013Jun(100)/2015Dec(100)/2016Dec(100)/2019Jun(80)/2025Feb(80); consumer protection council 2012Jun(100)/2014Jun(100); service 2011(100)/2012Jan(100) ⭐⭐ |
| 5.11 | MV Act 1988 — salient features / object | [10M] 2019Dec(80, OR), 2023Apr(80), 2023Oct(80, third-party insurance necessary), 2024Aug(80), 2026Jan(80), 2022Apr(80), 2021Apr(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 5.12 | MV Act — liability without fault / no-fault; remedies; penalties; procedure | [10M] liability without fault & compensation 2021Oct(80), 2025Feb(80); [8M] no-fault liability SN 2019Dec(100), strict liability in MV Act 2018Jun(100), remedies under MV Act 2020Dec(100), application for compensation 2017Dec(100), penalties under MV Act 2026Jan(100) ⭐⭐ |
| 5.13 | MV Act — Third-party insurance; Claims Tribunal | [8M/6M/5M] third-party insurance 2018Dec(80), 2019Jun(80), 2025Feb(80), 2026Jan(80); claims tribunal 2023Oct(80), 2024Aug(80) ⭐⭐ |
Application Problems (all papers)
| Year(s) (paper) | Problem summary (neutral labels, with the decoy) | Key issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2018Dec(80) | A surgeon in a (private) hospital negligently performs an eye operation; the patient partially loses eyesight and claims ₹15 lakh before the consumer forum. Decoy: it is “treatment”, not “goods”. | Medical service is a “service”; deficiency / medical negligence (IMA v V.P. Shantha) |
| 2019Jun(80) | A woman undergoes a tubectomy at a Government hospital, develops serious complications and is left an invalid; she sues the Government. Decoy: it was a Government hospital. | Whether Govt-hospital service falls under CPA; deficiency in service |
| 2021Apr(80) | A child is admitted to hospital; due to wrong medicine administered there, the child is permanently disabled; advise the parent. Decoy: parent consented to admission. | Medical negligence / deficiency in service |
| 2019Dec(100) | A patient dies due to negligent treatment at a Government hospital; the LRs sue; the Govt pleads that free service is not “service” under the CPA. Decoy: service rendered free of cost. | Free service exclusion from “service”; consumer status |
| 2022Jun(80) | A buys a bottle of “Pepsi” from a retailer and finds an insect in it while drinking; advise on action. Decoy: bought from retailer, not maker. | Defect in goods / deficiency; manufacturer & seller liability |
| 2018Dec(100) | X manufactures beer; Y consumes contaminated beer made by X and suffers a health disorder; can Y sue X? Decoy: Y bought it through a seller. | Product liability / manufacturer’s duty (Donoghue v Stevenson; CPA) |
| 2019Jun(100) | Venkatesh’s new shirt (bought from Golden Cloth Shop, made by Saraswathi Knitting Mills) has excess sulphur and causes a skin disease; he sues the manufacturer. Decoy: bought from the shop, not the mill. | Defect in goods; manufacturer’s liability (Grant v Australian Knitting Mills) |
| 2025Feb(80) | Anthony leaves his 3-day-old child at a Government hospital; later told the child was cured, he returns the same day but is informed the child has been taken away by someone else and cannot be traced; remedy? Decoy: hospital says child was “cured”. | Deficiency in service / negligence of hospital in custody of patient |
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