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Key Facts: Family Law & Practice Exam

3 hours

Exam Duration

General Legal Council

50%

Passing Mark

General Legal Council

PNDCL 111

Intestate Succession Law

Ghana Legislation

Act 367

Matrimonial Causes Act

Ghana Legislation

GHS 22,415

PLC Part I Tuition & Exam Fees

Ghana School of Law

Master the practical application of Ghanaian family, succession, and child protection laws. This practice bank offers 100 high-quality questions structured to prep candidates for GSL terminal examinations under the GLC.

Sample Family Law & Practice Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Family Law & Practice exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the Marriages Act (CAP 127), for how long is a registrar's certificate of notice valid from the date of the entry of the notice of marriage?

A.Three months

B.One month

C.Six months

D.Twelve months

Explanation: Section 62 of the Marriages Act (CAP 127) provides that if the marriage is not celebrated within three months after the entry of the notice, the notice and all subsequent proceedings are void, and a new notice must be given.

2In the landmark case of Yaotey v. Quaye [1961] GLR 573, which of the following was established as one of the essential requirements of a valid customary law marriage in Ghana?

A.Consent of the families of the two parties to the marriage

B.A written marriage contract signed by the heads of both families

C.Registration of the marriage at the District Assembly within 21 days

D.The blessing of the marriage in a licensed customary house of worship

Explanation: Yaotey v. Quaye outlines the core essentials of a customary marriage: agreement of the parties, consent of the families of both parties, and the formal delivery or giving of the bride to the groom's family (often accompanied by head drink).

3Under the Customary Marriage and Divorce (Registration) Law, 1985 (PNDCL 112), what is the statutory effect of failing to register a customary marriage?

A.The marriage remains legally valid if all customary essentials are met

B.The marriage becomes void ab initio

C.The marriage is deemed voidable and can be set aside by a court

D.The parties are prosecuted for a criminal misdemeanor but the marriage is void

Explanation: Although PNDCL 112 (as amended by PNDCL 263) was enacted to encourage registration, Ghanaian courts have consistently held that registration is directory, not mandatory for validity. A customary marriage remains valid if its customary essentials are satisfied.

4Under Section 23 of the Marriages Act (CAP 127), within what timeframe must a Mohammedan (Islamic) marriage be registered after its celebration?

A.Within one week

B.Within twenty-four hours

C.Within fourteen days

D.Within one month

Explanation: Section 23 of CAP 127 mandates that every Mohammedan marriage must be registered in the register of Mohammedan marriages and divorces within one week of the celebration of the marriage.

5Under Section 74 of the Marriages Act (CAP 127), which of the following conditions makes a marriage celebrated under the Ordinance void?

A.If the parties knowingly and wilfully marry under a false name or in a place not licensed

B.If the marriage was celebrated without the presence of the bride's family head

C.If the marriage certificate was not signed by the Registrar-General himself

D.If the marriage is not registered in the national registry within 3 months

Explanation: Section 74 of CAP 127 states that a marriage is null and void if both parties knowingly and wilfully acquiesce in its celebration in any place other than the office of a registrar of marriages or a licensed place of worship, or without a registrar's certificate or special license.

6Under CAP 127, whose consent is primarily required before a person under eighteen years of age can contract a valid marriage under the Ordinance?

A.The father, or if dead or incapable, the mother, or if both dead, the guardian

B.The head of the family of the maternal uncle

C.The Minister of Justice or Attorney-General of Ghana

D.The Senior Registrar of the High Court in the district

Explanation: Section 59 of CAP 127 requires the written consent of the father, or if dead, mad, or out of the jurisdiction, the mother, or if both are dead or incapable, the guardian, before a minor can marry under the Ordinance.

7Which of the following describes the legal impediment of "affinity" in the context of Ghanaian marriage law?

A.A relationship by marriage that legally bars the parties from marrying each other

B.A genetic relationship by blood that makes a marriage contract void

C.The state of being already married under customary law to a third party

D.A mental incapacity that prevents a party from understanding the marriage contract

Explanation: Affinity refers to the relationship created by marriage (e.g., step-relations, in-laws), which forms a legal bar to marriage under the prohibited degrees of relationship. Consanguinity, on the other hand, refers to blood relationships.

8What is the statutory requirement if parties who are already married under customary law wish to convert their marriage into an Ordinance marriage?

A.They must contract a marriage under the Ordinance in accordance with CAP 127

B.They must dissolve their customary marriage first before marrying under the Ordinance

C.They must file a petition in the High Court for a declaration of monogamy

D.No conversion is possible; a customary marriage can never be made monogamous

Explanation: Under Ghanaian law, parties who have contracted a valid customary marriage can later contract an Ordinance marriage under CAP 127 with each other. This act effectively converts their potentially polygamous customary union into a monogamous Ordinance marriage.

9Under Ghanaian customary law, what is the status of a marriage celebrated in the absence of one of the parties (marriage by proxy)?

A.It is fully valid if the families of both parties consent and participate in the ceremony

B.It is void unless ratified by a High Court judge within 30 days

C.It is only valid if a power of attorney is registered with the Registrar-General

D.It is void because customary law requires the physical presence of both spouses

Explanation: Customary law fully recognizes marriage by proxy. As long as the consent of both families is obtained, dowry/head drink is paid, and representatives of the parties celebrate the marriage, the union is valid.

10Does the registration of a customary marriage under the provisions of CAP 127 alter the legal character of the marriage to a monogamous union?

A.No, it remains a customary marriage with all its legal attributes, including polygamous potential

B.Yes, registration automatically converts it into a monogamous Ordinance marriage

C.Yes, it restricts the husband from marrying another wife unless he obtains court leave

D.No, it merely registers the marriage for tax purposes but strips it of customary status

Explanation: Registration of a customary marriage under CAP 127 Part I provides written evidence of the marriage but does not alter its character. It remains a customary marriage, and the husband retains the capacity to contract other customary marriages.

About the Family Law & Practice Exam

The Family Law and Practice exam is a terminal qualifying assessment for the Professional Law Course (PLC) at the Ghana School of Law, administered by the Independent Examinations Committee (IEC). It evaluates the practical application of family law within Ghana, covering the legal requirements and registration of customary, Islamic, and Ordinance marriages under CAP 127; divorce, breakdown of marriage, and ancillary reliefs under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1971 (Act 367); wills and estates under the Wills Act 1971 (Act 360) and the Intestate Succession Act 1985 (PNDCL 111); child custody, maintenance, and protection under the Children's Act 1998 (Act 560); domestic violence protection under Act 732; procedural drafting under C.I. 47; court jurisdiction; Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR); and professional legal ethics in matrimonial issues.

Exam sponsor: General Legal Council (GLC) of Ghana. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

100 questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

50%

Exam / Certification Fees

GHS 22,415 tuition & exam fees / GHS 1,500 registration

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: N/A. Passing rates vary by academic cohort and are regulated by the Independent Examinations Committee (IEC). Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

20%

Marriage in Ghana

Essentials of valid customary, Islamic, and Ordinance marriages, capacity to marry, and registration of marriages under CAP 127.

20%

Dissolution and Divorce

Dissolution of customary marriages and statutory divorce under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1971 (Act 367), including grounds and procedures.

25%

Family Property and Succession

Matrimonial property rights (judicial division rules), Wills Act 1971 (Act 360), and intestate succession under the Intestate Succession Act 1985 (PNDCL 111).

20%

Parent-Child Relationships

Legitimacy, legitimation, custody, maintenance, guardianship, and adoption under the Children's Act 1998 (Act 560).

15%

Practice, Procedure and Ethics

Domestic Violence Act 2007 (Act 732), court jurisdictions, family law drafting under C.I. 47, court ADR, and professional ethics.

Preparing for the Family Law & Practice Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 50%
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam / certification fees: GHS 22,415 tuition & exam fees / GHS 1,500 registration Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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Family Law & Practice: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the essentials and registration requirements of customary marriages under CAP 127 and the landmark Supreme Court decision in Yaotey v. Quaye.

2Clearly distinguish between the grounds for divorce (sole ground: marriage has broken down irretrievably) and the six statutory facts used to prove it under the Matrimonial Causes Act, 1971 (Act 367).

3Learn the intestate distribution formulas under PNDCL 111, particularly the specific fractions allocated to the surviving spouse (3/16), children (9/16), parent (1/8), and family (1/8).

4Study judicial developments on matrimonial property distribution, specifically the shift from 'joint contribution' to the 'equality is equity' principle established in Mensah v. Mensah and Boafo v. Boafo.

5Practice drafting petitions for divorce, answers and cross-petitions, and applications for custody or maintenance pending suit under C.I. 47.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Family Law and Practice exam?

It is a terminal professional qualifying examination in the Professional Law Course (PLC) at the Ghana School of Law, evaluating candidates on their practical understanding of Ghanaian family law, estate administration, and child protection statutes.

What are the key statutes tested in this course?

Major statutes include the Marriages Act (CAP 127), the Matrimonial Causes Act 1971 (Act 367), the Wills Act 1971 (Act 360), the Intestate Succession Act 1985 (PNDCL 111), and the Children's Act 1998 (Act 560).

Who administers this exam?

The exam is administered by the Independent Examinations Committee (IEC) of the General Legal Council (GLC) of Ghana.

What is the format of the official terminal exam?

The terminal Qualifying Certificate in Law (QCL) exam is a 3-hour written examination featuring problem-solving scenario questions, advisory legal opinions, and drafting of family law processes.

What is the passing mark?

The passing mark is 50%. A referred candidate can sit for a supplementary exam, while failing three or more papers requires repeating the entire course year.

Free Practice Questions for Family Law & Practice

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