100+ Free LSB Bar Exam Core Practice Questions

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Law Society of Botswana Conveyancing and Notarial Practice Examinations

Practice Questions100 questions

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: LSB Bar Exam Core Exam

5 Papers

Core Subjects

Legal Practitioners Act (Cap. 61:01)

50%

Pass Mark per Paper

Law Society of Botswana

Annual June

Exam Sitting (2026 postponed)

LSB Notice, 15 June 2026

BWP 2,817.25

Total 5-Paper Fee

LSB Fee Schedule

Cap. 61:01

Governing Statute

Laws of Botswana

Statutory

Licensure Tier

High Court of Botswana

The Law Society of Botswana Bar Examination (Core Subjects) is the statutory admission test under the Legal Practitioners Act (Cap. 61:01) for candidates seeking admission to practice law in Botswana, covering Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, Administration of Estates, Accounting for Lawyers, and Legal Ethics with a 50% pass mark per paper.

Sample LSB Bar Exam Core Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your LSB Bar Exam Core exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the High Court Rules of Botswana, which originating process must be used when there is a material dispute of fact between the parties?

A.Writ of Summons (Action proceedings)

B.Notice of Motion (Application proceedings)

C.Ex parte Originating Application

D.Petition for Directions

Explanation: In Botswana civil practice, action proceedings initiated by a Writ of Summons (with declaration annexed or to follow) must be employed whenever a material dispute of fact is anticipated or exists. Motion proceedings under Order 6 are reserved for matters where relief can be decided on affidavit evidence without requiring viva voce oral testimony to resolve substantive factual conflicts.

2Under Order 27 of the Rules of the High Court of Botswana, within what period after service of the defendant's plea (or answering affidavit) must the plaintiff consult the defendant to fix the meeting at which the parties jointly prepare the initial case management report?

A.Within 7 court days

B.Within 14 court days

C.Within 21 court days

D.Within 30 court days

Explanation: Order 27 rule 1 of the Rules of the High Court requires the plaintiff, within seven court days of service of a plea under Order 25 rule 1(2) or of an answering affidavit, to consult the defendant on a date and time for the parties to meet and jointly prepare an initial case management report under Order 42. Rules 2 and 3 then fix when that meeting itself must be held.

3Under Order 34 of the High Court Rules of Botswana, for which type of claim is an application for Summary Judgment legally competent?

A.A claim based on a liquid document or for a liquidated demand in money

B.An unliquidated claim for general damages in delict

C.A claim for dissolution of marriage and division of joint estate

D.A claim for a final declaration of rights involving complex constitutional interpretation

Explanation: Under Order 34 of the Rules of the High Court of Botswana, summary judgment is available to a plaintiff only where the defendant has entered an appearance to defend a claim based on a liquid document, for a liquidated demand in money, for delivery of specified movable property, or for ejectment. It cannot be granted for unliquidated damages or non-commercial status claims.

4What is the primary procedural distinction between a Special Plea in Bar and a Special Plea in Abatement in Botswana civil practice?

A.A Special Plea in Bar seeks to permanently destroy or extinguish the plaintiff's cause of action, whereas a Special Plea in Abatement merely delays or suspends the proceedings

B.A Special Plea in Abatement permanently terminates the action, whereas a Special Plea in Bar only transfers the case to another registry

C.A Special Plea in Bar must be brought by Notice of Motion, while a Special Plea in Abatement is raised orally at trial

D.A Special Plea in Abatement requires the deposit of security for costs, while a Special Plea in Bar does not

Explanation: In Botswana civil procedure (derived from Roman-Dutch common law), a Special Plea in Bar (such as res judicata or extinctive prescription) asserts a substantive defence that permanently defeats and extinguishes the plaintiff's claim. In contrast, a Special Plea in Abatement (such as lis alibi pendens, non-joinder, or lack of locus standi that can be cured) attacks the procedural posture of the action to suspend or abate the suit without necessarily extinguishing the underlying cause of action.

5Under Order 61 of the High Court Rules of Botswana, within what timeframe should an application for review of proceedings of an inferior court or tribunal generally be instituted?

A.Within a reasonable time, generally considered not to exceed six to eight weeks from the decision without explaining the delay

B.Within exactly 30 calendar days from the date of the ruling

C.Within one full year from the conclusion of the lower proceedings

D.At any time before the expiration of the three-year prescription period

Explanation: In Botswana administrative and civil procedural law, an application for review under Order 61 must be instituted within a reasonable time. The High Court and Court of Appeal have held that while Order 61 does not prescribe an inflexible statutory day limit, an unreasonable delay (typically exceeding 6 to 8 weeks) must be satisfactorily explained in the founding affidavit, failing which the court may refuse to entertain the review.

6What is the legal effect of an order of 'absolution from the instance' granted at the close of the plaintiff's case in the High Court of Botswana?

A.The plaintiff has failed to establish a prima facie case, but is not barred by res judicata from instituting fresh proceedings on the same cause of action upon payment of costs

B.The defendant is granted final judgment with prejudice, creating a complete bar of res judicata against any future claim

C.The action is automatically transferred to the Customary Court for customary arbitration

D.The plaintiff is held in contempt of court and ordered to pay punitive damages to the Registrar

Explanation: Absolution from the instance is granted when the court finds that the plaintiff has failed to lead sufficient evidence upon which a reasonable court could or might find for the plaintiff. Unlike a final judgment for the defendant, absolution does not dispose of the underlying dispute on the merits and does not support a plea of res judicata; the plaintiff is entitled to re-institute the action upon paying the taxed costs of the initial proceedings.

7A defendant in the High Court of Botswana wishes to challenge the plaintiff's declaration on the grounds that it is 'vague and embarrassing'. What prerequisite must the defendant satisfy before filing a formal exception under Order 20?

A.The defendant must deliver a notice affording the plaintiff 10 days to remove the cause of complaint

B.The defendant must deposit the disputed sum into the Guardian's Fund as security

C.The defendant must file an urgent chamber application seeking leave from the Judge President

D.The defendant must obtain a certificate of urgency signed by senior counsel

Explanation: Under the High Court Rules of Botswana, where an exception is intended to be taken on the ground that a pleading is vague and embarrassing, the excipient is required first to serve a notice giving the opponent an opportunity (typically 10 days) to cure or remove the cause of complaint. Only if the pleader fails to cure the defect may the formal exception be enrolled and argued.

8In motion proceedings in Botswana, what are the three sets of affidavits recognized as of right under the High Court Rules?

A.Founding Affidavit, Answering Affidavit, and Replying Affidavit

B.Originating Affidavit, Interlocutory Affidavit, and Rejoinder Affidavit

C.Declaration Affidavit, Plea Affidavit, and Replication Affidavit

D.Preliminary Affidavit, Evidentiary Affidavit, and Concluding Affidavit

Explanation: In Botswana motion proceedings, the standard sequence of affidavits recognized as of right consists of the applicant's Founding Affidavit (setting out the cause of action and facts), the respondent's Answering Affidavit (setting out defences and denials), and the applicant's Replying Affidavit (dealing strictly with new matters raised in the answering affidavit). Filing further sets of affidavits requires express leave of the court.

9Under Order 39 of the High Court Rules of Botswana, when a party serves a Notice to Make Discovery, how must the discovering party disclose documents in their possession or control?

A.By delivering a sworn Discovery Affidavit listing relevant documents in two schedules: those not objected to, and those for which privilege is claimed

B.By sending unsworn photocopies of all office files directly to the Registrar within 7 days

C.By orally reading the list of documents during the Initial Case Management Conference

D.By lodging original deeds and bank statements at the Deeds Registry for public inspection

Explanation: Under Order 39, discovery must be made under oath by filing a Discovery Affidavit. The affidavit must categorize documents into Schedule 1 (Part 1: documents in possession/control without objection to production; Part 2: documents in possession for which legal privilege or state privilege is claimed) and Schedule 2 (documents previously possessed but no longer in the party's possession, stating where they now are).

10Which standard of proof applies to civil proceedings in the High Court and Magistrates' Courts of Botswana?

A.Proof on a balance of probabilities (preponderance of probability)

B.Proof beyond reasonable doubt

C.Proof by clear and convincing evidence beyond all suspicion

D.Proof to the subjective moral satisfaction of the presiding judicial officer

Explanation: In Botswana civil litigation, the standard of proof is the common law standard of a balance of probabilities (or preponderance of evidence). The party bearing the burden of proof (onus of proof) must satisfy the court that their version of the facts is more probable than not.

About the LSB Bar Exam Core Exam

The Law Society of Botswana Bar Examination (Core Subjects) is the statutory admission assessment conducted by the Law Society of Botswana under the Legal Practitioners Act No. 13 of 1996 (Cap. 61:01) and its subsidiary legislation, for candidates who studied outside Botswana and for foreign attorneys who wish to practise there. Of the seven examinable subjects, five are core and must be passed for admission: Accounting for Lawyers, Administration of Estates, Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, and Ethics. The pass mark for every paper is 50%. The 2026 sitting was notified for 22 to 26 June, rescheduled to 20 July, and then postponed indefinitely by Council notice of 15 June 2026 pending High Court litigation, so candidates should confirm dates with the LSB. This practice bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation for revision of the underlying statutory rules and procedures; it is not a simulation of the official written papers.

Assessment

Seven subjects in total, five of which are core and must be passed for admission: Accounting for Lawyers, Administration of Estates, Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, and Ethics. Conveyancing and Notarial Practice are the two optional subjects and may be taken at the same sitting or later.

Time Limit

Sitting scheduled across five days; per-paper duration not published

Passing Score

50% on each subject paper

Exam Fee

BWP 2,817.25 (Law Society of Botswana (LSB))

LSB Bar Exam Core Exam Content Outline

20%

Civil Procedure

High Court Rules 2011, Judicial Case Management (JCM), action and application proceedings, pleadings, summary judgment, discovery, trial, execution, and appeals.

20%

Criminal Procedure & Evidence

Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act (Cap. 08:02), arrest, search, bail, charge sheets, pleas, trial procedure, confessions, sentencing, and appeals.

20%

Administration of Estates

Administration of Estates Act (Cap. 31:01), reporting deaths, executor appointment, liquidation and distribution accounts, Guardian's Fund, and succession law.

20%

Accounting for Lawyers

Trust accounts under section 45 of the Legal Practitioners Act (Cap. 61:01), client trust accounts vs business accounts, quarterly trust statements and the annual audit, and the Fidelity Guarantee Fund established under Part V.

20%

Legal Ethics & Professional Conduct

Duties to the court, client confidentiality, conflict of interest, fee arrangements, touting restrictions, Disciplinary Committee, and professional etiquette.

How to Pass the LSB Bar Exam Core Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 50% on each subject paper
Assessment: Seven subjects in total, five of which are core and must be passed for admission: Accounting for Lawyers, Administration of Estates, Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, and Ethics. Conveyancing and Notarial Practice are the two optional subjects and may be taken at the same sitting or later.
Time limit: Sitting scheduled across five days; per-paper duration not published
Exam fee: BWP 2,817.25

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LSB Bar Exam Core Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the High Court Rules 2011, especially the strict timelines and obligations under Judicial Case Management (JCM).

2Understand the statutory prerequisites for confessions and admissions under Section 228 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act (Cap. 08:02).

3Practice the step-by-step drafting and arithmetic reconciliation of Liquidation and Distribution accounts under the Administration of Estates Act (Cap. 31:01).

4Know section 45 of the Legal Practitioners Act in detail: the trust banking account under section 45(1), quarterly trust bank statements to the Law Society under section 45(6), the annual audit under section 45(7), the Council's inspection power under section 45(8), and the protection of trust money from attachment under section 45(9)(a). Interest on trust funds is payable to the Fidelity Guarantee Fund under section 42.

5Review the Law Society of Botswana Code of Ethics regarding conflict of interest, client confidentiality, and professional undertakings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Law Society of Botswana Bar Examination (Core Subjects)?

The LSB Bar Examination is the mandatory statutory admission assessment conducted by the Law Society of Botswana under the Legal Practitioners Act (Cap. 61:01) for individuals who obtained their law degrees outside Botswana or foreign practitioners seeking admission to practice law in Botswana.

What are the five core subjects examined by the Law Society of Botswana?

The five core subjects are Civil Procedure (High Court and Magistrates' Courts Rules), Criminal Procedure and Evidence (CP&E Act), Administration of Estates (Administration of Estates Act), Accounting for Lawyers (Trust Account Management), and Legal Ethics and Professional Conduct.

What passing score is required for the LSB Bar Examination?

Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 50% in each of the five core examination papers to be eligible for statutory admission as an attorney of the High Court of Botswana.

When are the Law Society of Botswana examinations held?

The examinations are normally conducted annually in June, with registration running from 1 to 30 April. The 2026 sitting was notified for 22 to 26 June 2026, then moved to 20 July 2026, and on 15 June 2026 the Council of the Law Society postponed it indefinitely pending the determination of Arnold Rapula Somolekae & 20 Others v Law Society of Botswana in the High Court. Candidates should confirm the current position with the LSB before relying on any date.

Does the Law Society of Botswana publish a pass rate or per-paper weightings?

No. The LSB publishes the subject list, the 50% pass mark for every paper, the April registration window, and the fees. It does not publish pass rates, item counts, per-paper durations, or domain weightings, so any such figures quoted elsewhere should be treated with caution.

Does this practice bank simulate the official written examination format?

No. The official examination comprises written subjective papers (essay, procedural drafting, accounting exercises, and legal problem scenarios). This question bank provides an English-language MCQ study adaptation designed for conceptual mastery, statutory review, and objective self-assessment.