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100+ Free CAPE Law Unit 1 Practice Questions

Pass your CAPE Law Unit 1 — Public Law (Caribbean Examinations Council, CXC) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CAPE Law Unit 1 Exam

45 items

Paper 01 has 45 compulsory multiple-choice items, 15 from each Module

CXC CAPE Law Syllabus, Outline of Assessment

1 hour 30 minutes

Time allowed for CAPE Law Unit 1 Paper 01

CXC CAPE Law Syllabus, Paper 01

30%

Paper 01's contribution to the Unit 1 grade

CXC CAPE Law Syllabus, Outline of Assessment

3 Modules

Caribbean Legal Systems; Principles of Public Law; Criminal Law

CXC CAPE Law Syllabus, Structure of the Syllabus

80% / 20%

Split between external written papers and School-Based Assessment (or Paper 032)

CXC CAPE Law Syllabus, Outline of Assessment

150 hours

Guided learning hours intended for Unit 1 across its three Modules

CXC CAPE Law Syllabus / subject page

100

Free original practice questions in this bank

OpenExamPrep

CAPE Law Unit 1 (Public Law) is set by the Caribbean Examinations Council and covers Caribbean Legal Systems, Principles of Public Law, and Criminal Law. Paper 01 is a compulsory multiple-choice paper of 45 four-option items (15 per Module) lasting 1 hour 30 minutes and worth 30% of the Unit. Paper 02 comprises three compulsory structured essay questions (50%), and School-Based Assessment or Paper 032 is 20%. Results are graded on a scale of Grades I–VII. This 100-question practice bank provides comprehensive preparation across all three syllabus modules with detailed answers.

Sample CAPE Law Unit 1 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CAPE Law Unit 1 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which of the following best describes the positivist theory of law associated with John Austin?
A.Law is the command of a sovereign, backed by sanctions, and habitually obeyed by the majority
B.Law is a system of rules that must conform to universal moral principles
C.Law is a tool used by the ruling capitalist class to oppress the working class
D.Law is a reflection of the evolving historical spirit and customs of a society
Explanation: John Austin's legal positivism (command theory) defines law as the command of a political sovereign, backed by threats of sanction (punishment) in the event of disobedience, and habitually obeyed by the populace.
2What is the central premise of the natural law school of thought?
A.Law is valid only if it is enacted by a recognized legislative authority
B.There is an objective, moral standard of justice higher than human-made law, and unjust laws are not true laws
C.Law is determined by the economic relationships and material conditions of a society
D.Law is whatever judges decide it is when resolving actual disputes in court
Explanation: Natural law theory posits that law is grounded in rational principles of morality and justice. According to this view, an unjust law that violates these principles lacks moral validity ('lex iniusta non est lex').
3Which of the following areas of law is classified as a branch of private law?
A.Constitutional Law
B.Administrative Law
C.Law of Contract
D.Criminal Law
Explanation: Private law (or civil law) governs the relationships and disputes between private individuals or entities. The Law of Contract, along with Tort and Real Property, is a primary branch of private law.
4In the Commonwealth Caribbean, what is a key distinction between civil law and criminal law?
A.Civil law proceedings are initiated by the state to punish offenders, while criminal law is brought by private citizens
B.The burden of proof in civil law is 'beyond a reasonable doubt', whereas in criminal law it is the 'balance of probabilities'
C.Civil law aims to compensate the injured party, while criminal law aims to punish the offender and deter future crimes
D.Civil law disputes are heard exclusively in the Court of Appeal, while criminal cases are heard in the Magistrates' Court
Explanation: Civil law primarily seeks to resolve private disputes and remedy wrongs by providing compensation or remedies (like damages or injunctions) to the injured party. Criminal law, by contrast, is concerned with public wrongs and aims to punish offenders, maintain public order, and deter future crimes.
5According to the Marxist theory of jurisprudence, law is fundamentally understood as:
A.A neutral system of justice that balances the competing interests of all social classes equally
B.An instrument of class rule and economic domination used by the bourgeoisie to maintain power over the proletariat
C.The dictates of divine reason accessible to all humans through natural intellect
D.A scientific structure of rules derived from a single fundamental norm or 'Grundnorm'
Explanation: Marxist jurisprudence views the law and the legal system as part of the superstructure of society, which is built upon and reflects the economic base. Thus, law is an instrument used by the class that controls the means of production (the bourgeoisie) to control and exploit the working class (the proletariat).
6In H.L.A. Hart's positivist framework, what is the role of 'secondary rules'?
A.They impose duties on citizens to abstain from certain behaviors, such as violence or theft
B.They are moral laws that automatically invalidate any conflicting primary rules enacted by parliament
C.They provide the means by which primary rules of obligation can be created, modified, extinguished, or identified
D.They are non-binding guidelines used by judges when there are gaps in the common law
Explanation: H.L.A. Hart argued that a legal system is a union of primary rules (which impose duties on individuals) and secondary rules (which specify how primary rules may be introduced, changed, adjudicated, or recognized). Secondary rules include rules of change, adjudication, and recognition.
7In the Commonwealth Caribbean, what status does the Constitution hold as a source of law?
A.It is a persuasive source of law that can be overridden by any act of parliament
B.It is the supreme law of the land, and any other law that is inconsistent with it is void to the extent of the inconsistency
C.It is secondary to the common law of England, which remains the ultimate authority
D.It is a code of ethics for government officials but has no binding force in the ordinary courts
Explanation: Caribbean constitutions contain a supremacy clause (typically Section 2) establishing the constitution as the highest law. Any law, whether pre-existing or newly enacted, that conflicts with constitutional provisions is void to the extent of that inconsistency.
8What is the historical meaning of 'common law' as a source of law?
A.Law developed by the judges of the English royal courts, based on custom and judicial precedent, as distinct from equity or legislation
B.Statutory law enacted by the House of Commons in the United Kingdom
C.The system of laws that applies only to commoners as opposed to the nobility
D.Laws that are common to all countries in the world under international law
Explanation: Historically, common law refers to the body of law developed by judges in the English royal courts (King's Bench, Common Pleas, Exchequer) starting after the Norman Conquest in 1066. It was applied uniformly across the realm, based on custom and precedent, and is distinct from equity (developed by the Court of Chancery) and written legislation.
9In the system of judicial precedent, which element of a judgment is legally binding on lower courts under the doctrine of stare decisis?
A.The obiter dicta
B.The ratio decidendi
C.The summary of the facts of the case
D.The arguments presented by the attorneys for the defense
Explanation: The 'ratio decidendi' (the reason for the decision) is the legal principle or rationale upon which the court's decision is based. It is this core ruling on the law applied to the facts that forms the binding precedent for future cases in lower courts.
10What is the status of 'obiter dicta' in judicial decision-making within Caribbean courts?
A.They are strictly binding on all courts of equal or lower status
B.They have no legal relevance and must not be cited in court proceedings
C.They are persuasive statements that judges may consider but are not required to follow
D.They automatically override statutory provisions if expressed by a senior judge
Explanation: Obiter dicta are statements or remarks made by a judge in passing that are not essential to the determination of the case. While not binding under the doctrine of stare decisis, they carry persuasive authority, particularly if they come from high-level appellate courts like the Caribbean Court of Justice or the Privy Council.

About the CAPE Law Unit 1 Exam

CAPE Law Unit 1, titled Public Law, is the first of two independent Units in the Caribbean Examinations Council's Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination in Law. It comprises three Modules: Module 1 Caribbean Legal Systems; Module 2 Principles of Public Law; and Module 3 Criminal Law. The Unit focuses on public law principles, including constitutional frameworks, administrative review mechanisms, criminal responsibility, and Commonwealth Caribbean jurisprudence. The Unit is assessed by two external written papers and a school-based project (or Paper 032 for private candidates). Paper 01 is a compulsory multiple-choice paper of 45 items, 15 from each Module, sat in 1 hour 30 minutes and worth 30% of the Unit. CAPE Law is pitched at post-16, GCE A-Level standard, serving as an academic foundation for prospective law students across the Caribbean.

Assessment

Paper 01: 45 compulsory multiple-choice items, 15 from each of the three Modules, each worth 1 mark (45 marks weighted to 90; 30% of the Unit). Paper 02: three compulsory questions, one per Module (2 hours 45 minutes; 50%). School-Based Assessment Paper 031 or private-candidate Paper 032 (20%).

Time Limit

Paper 01 is 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes). Paper 02 is 2 hours 45 minutes. Paper 032 (private candidates) is 2 hours.

Passing Score

No fixed pass mark. CAPE results are reported as Grades I to VII (Grade I highest), combining external papers (80%) and School-Based Assessment or Paper 032 (20%). Paper 01 alone contributes 30% of the Unit grade.

Exam Fee

CAPE subject-entry fees are set by CXC and collected by each territory's Local Registrar. For 2026 sittings the published scale is BBD $69.50 per CAPE Unit (subject) plus a one-time CAPE candidate entry fee of BBD $48.50; local levies may apply. Confirm with your school or registrar. (Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC))

CAPE Law Unit 1 Exam Content Outline

33%

Module 1: Caribbean Legal Systems

Paper 01 draws 15 items here. Topics include: nature, classification, and theories of law (Natural Law and Positivism); historical and modern sources of Caribbean law (constitutions, legislation, judicial precedent, common law, equity, custom, conventions); court structure and jurisdiction (local courts, courts of appeal, and final appellate bodies like the CCJ and Privy Council); legal personnel (judges, juries, legal practitioners); and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods.

33%

Module 2: Principles of Public Law

Paper 01 draws 15 items here. Topics include: constitutional law principles (supremacy of the constitution, written vs. unwritten constitutions, amendment procedures); separation of powers (executive, legislative, judicial branches); the rule of law; fundamental rights and freedoms (protection and judicial enforcement); and administrative law principles (judicial review grounds like procedural impropriety, illegality, irrationality, and the roles of service commissions and statutory bodies).

34%

Module 3: Criminal Law

Paper 01 draws 15 items here. Topics include: general principles of criminal liability (actus reus, mens rea, strict liability, co-incidence of act and intent); specific offences against the person (murder, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, assault, battery, wounding) and property (theft, robbery, burglary, criminal/malicious damage); sexual offences (rape, incest); inchoate offences (attempt, conspiracy, incitement); defenses (insanity, diminished responsibility, provocation, intoxication, self-defense); and theories and types of sentencing.

How to Pass the CAPE Law Unit 1 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: No fixed pass mark. CAPE results are reported as Grades I to VII (Grade I highest), combining external papers (80%) and School-Based Assessment or Paper 032 (20%). Paper 01 alone contributes 30% of the Unit grade.
  • Assessment: Paper 01: 45 compulsory multiple-choice items, 15 from each of the three Modules, each worth 1 mark (45 marks weighted to 90; 30% of the Unit). Paper 02: three compulsory questions, one per Module (2 hours 45 minutes; 50%). School-Based Assessment Paper 031 or private-candidate Paper 032 (20%).
  • Time limit: Paper 01 is 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes). Paper 02 is 2 hours 45 minutes. Paper 032 (private candidates) is 2 hours.
  • Exam fee: CAPE subject-entry fees are set by CXC and collected by each territory's Local Registrar. For 2026 sittings the published scale is BBD $69.50 per CAPE Unit (subject) plus a one-time CAPE candidate entry fee of BBD $48.50; local levies may apply. Confirm with your school or registrar.

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CAPE Law Unit 1 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Familiarise yourself with key landmark cases in Commonwealth Caribbean public and criminal law, as Paper 01 often features scenarios modelled on actual legal precedents.
2For Module 1, study the distinctions between Natural Law and Positivism, the hierarchy of Caribbean courts (especially CCJ vs. Privy Council), and the differences between mediation, arbitration, and litigation.
3For Module 2, understand the grounds for judicial review (illegality, irrationality, procedural impropriety) and review fundamental rights clauses in Caribbean constitutions.
4For Module 3, master the definitions of actus reus and mens rea, the distinctions between voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, the elements of property crimes (theft, robbery, burglary), and key defenses like self-defense, provocation, and insanity.
5Practise pacing yourself at approximately 2 minutes per multiple-choice question to ensure you complete the 45-item exam within the 90-minute limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on CAPE Law Unit 1 Paper 01?

Paper 01 has 45 compulsory multiple-choice items, with 15 drawn from each of the three Modules. Each item is worth 1 mark (45 marks, weighted to 90).

How long is CAPE Law Unit 1 Paper 01?

Paper 01 lasts 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes). Paper 02 is separate and lasts 2 hours 45 minutes.

What does CAPE Law Unit 1 cover?

Unit 1 is Public Law and covers three Modules: Caribbean Legal Systems (Module 1), Principles of Public Law (Module 2), and Criminal Law (Module 3). Knowledge of all three modules is tested on Paper 01.

How is CAPE Law Unit 1 graded?

Results are reported on a scale of Grade I (highest) to Grade VII, combining Paper 01 (30%), Paper 02 (50%), and School-Based Assessment or Paper 032 (20%). Grades I–V represent acceptable passing performances.

Who can sit Paper 032 for CAPE Law Unit 1?

Private candidates register through their territory's Local Registrar and sit Paper 032 (Alternative to SBA) instead of completing the school-based research project (Paper 031).

Are these official CXC practice questions?

No. These are original practice questions created by OpenExamPrep, designed to align with the CAPE Law Unit 1 syllabus. Official materials are available through the CXC Store.