100+ Free PPC1 Family Law Practice Questions

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Sample PPC1 Family Law Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your PPC1 Family Law exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the Civil Registration Act 2004, what is the statutory minimum notification period that parties must give to a Registrar of Marriages before their intended wedding date?

A.14 days' notice

B.30 days' notice

C.3 months' notice

D.6 months' notice

Explanation: Section 46 of the Civil Registration Act 2004 requires parties to give at least 3 months' written notification of their intention to marry to a registrar. This requirement applies to both civil and religious marriages, unless an exemption is granted by the Circuit Family Court or High Court.

2Which of the following correctly describes the minimum legal age to marry in Ireland, following the commencement of the Domestic Violence Act 2018?

A.16 years, provided parental consent is obtained

B.16 years, with a court order from the Circuit Family Court

C.18 years, with no exceptions or court exemptions available

D.18 years, except for members of the Traveller community who can marry at 16

Explanation: The Domestic Violence Act 2018 (Section 45) abolished the court exemption that previously allowed persons under 18 to marry. Consequently, the minimum age for marriage in Ireland is now 18 years, with no legal exceptions or court exemptions possible.

3If a person marries their deceased spouse's sibling, what is the status of the marriage under Irish law?

A.The marriage is void due to the impediment of affinity.

B.The marriage is voidable by application to the High Court.

C.The marriage is valid, as affinity restrictions between siblings-in-law were abolished.

D.The marriage is valid only if canonical permission is granted by a religious authority.

Explanation: Under the Deceased Wife's Sister's Marriage Act 1907 and subsequent amendments (including the Marriage Act 1972), affinity restrictions preventing marriage with a deceased spouse's sibling (brother-in-law or sister-in-law) were abolished. Therefore, such a marriage is fully valid in civil law.

4Which of the following constitutes an impediment that renders a marriage void ab initio under Irish law?

A.The temporary intoxication of one party during the ceremony

B.A subsisting valid marriage or civil partnership of either party

C.The incurable impotency of either party at the time of the ceremony

D.One party entering the marriage solely to obtain residency status

Explanation: A subsisting valid marriage or civil partnership (the monogamy requirement) is an absolute impediment to marriage. The impediments to marriage are set out in the Civil Registration Act 2004, and a purported marriage where either party is already validly married or in a civil partnership is void ab initio (having no legal effect from the beginning).

5What is the primary legal distinction between a void marriage and a voidable marriage in Ireland?

A.A void marriage requires a decree from the Circuit Court to dissolve it, whereas a voidable marriage does not.

B.A void marriage is valid until it is challenged, whereas a voidable marriage is invalid from its inception.

C.A void marriage has no legal existence from the outset and requires no court decree to invalidate it, whereas a voidable marriage is valid until a decree of nullity is granted.

D.A void marriage can be ratified by the subsequent cohabitation of the parties, whereas a voidable marriage cannot.

Explanation: A void marriage never legally existed (void ab initio), and while parties often seek a judicial decree for clarity, the marriage is legally non-existent without one. A voidable marriage is valid and exists in law until it is set aside by a decree of nullity, which retrospective voids it from the date of the ceremony.

6In the landmark case of D v C [1984] (following RSJ v JSJ [1982]), which ground for civil nullity was recognized and developed by the Irish courts?

A.Inability to consummate the marriage due to psychological repugnance

B.Inability to enter into and sustain a normal functional marital relationship

C.Lack of consent based on a misrepresentation of the other party's wealth

D.Failure to comply with the formal registration requirements of the state

Explanation: In D v C [1984] ILRM 173 (Costello J), and earlier in RSJ v JSJ [1982] ILRM 263 (Barrington J), the High Court recognized that if a party, due to a psychiatric illness or personality disorder, is unable to enter into and sustain a normal functional marital relationship, the marriage is voidable. This is a uniquely developed ground in Irish civil nullity law.

7Which of the following is correct regarding the subjective vs objective test for duress in nullity petitions based on lack of consent, as clarified by the Supreme Court in N (otherwise K) v K [1985]?

A.The court applies a strictly objective test: would a reasonable person have felt coerced?

B.The court applies a subjective test: did the pressure destroy the reality of consent for this particular applicant?

C.Duress must involve a physical threat to life; psychological pressure is objectively excluded.

D.Duress is evaluated by reference to canonical standards rather than civil standards.

Explanation: Irish law applies a subjective test to duress in nullity cases. In N (otherwise K) v K [1985] IR 733, the Supreme Court confirmed that the question is whether the pressure applied was such as to overbear the mind and will of the specific individual in question, thereby destroying the reality of their consent, regardless of whether a reasonable person would have reacted similarly.

8If a decree of civil nullity is granted in Ireland, what is the legal status of the parties' obligations to maintain one another under family law?

A.The court can make maintenance orders because the marriage is treated as valid for financial relief.

B.The court has no jurisdiction to order maintenance between the parties as no valid marriage ever existed.

C.The court can only order maintenance for a maximum of one year after the decree.

D.The wealthy party must pay a flat-rate statutory compensation lump sum to the other.

Explanation: If a decree of nullity is granted, the marriage is declared void. Consequently, the parties are not, and never were, spouses. Irish courts do not have jurisdiction to make maintenance orders or property adjustment orders under the Family Law Acts for the parties themselves, as these remedies are reserved for valid spouses (though child maintenance remains unaffected).

9Under the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010, what is the default definition of a 'cohabitant'?

A.Any two adults who live together in an intimate and relationship-like manner for at least 12 months

B.One of two adults who live together as a couple in an intimate and committed relationship and who are not related within the prohibited degrees of relationship

C.Any two adults who share a residence and financial expenses, regardless of their sexual or romantic involvement

D.A couple who have registered their cohabitation agreement with the local authority

Explanation: Section 172 of the 2010 Act defines a cohabitant as one of two adults who live together as a couple in an intimate and committed relationship. They must not be married to each other, in a civil partnership with each other, or related within the prohibited degrees of relationship.

10To qualify for the redress scheme under the 2010 Act, a couple without children must have lived together in an intimate and committed relationship for a minimum of how many years?

A.1 year

B.2 years

C.3 years

D.5 years

Explanation: Under Section 172(5) of the 2010 Act, a 'qualified cohabitant' means a cohabitant who was living with the other adult for a period of at least 5 years immediately before the relationship ended, or 2 years if they are the parents of one or more dependent children.

About the PPC1 Family Law Exam

The PPC1 Family Law exam covers marriage, nullity and cohabitation, judicial separation and divorce, domestic violence and protection orders, custody and guardianship, and financial provision and maintenance.

Assessment

100 multiple-choice questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

50%

Exam Fee

Included in PPC fees (Law Society of Ireland)

PPC1 Family Law Exam Content Outline

20%

Marriage, Nullity & Cohabitation

Legal requirements for marriage, grounds for nullity, and the Civil Partnership Act.

20%

Judicial Separation & Divorce

Grounds, procedure, and ancillary relief under the Family Law Acts.

20%

Domestic Violence & Protection

Safety, barring, and protection orders under the Domestic Violence Acts.

20%

Custody, Guardianship & Access

Parental rights, guardianship applications, and best interests of the child.

20%

Financial Provision & Maintenance

Maintenance orders, property adjustment, pension adjustment, and lump sum orders.

How to Pass the PPC1 Family Law Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 50%
Assessment: 100 multiple-choice questions
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam fee: Included in PPC fees

Keys to Passing

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of the PPC1 Family Law exam?

The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering all five content domains.

What is the passing score for the PPC1 Family Law exam?

Candidates must score at least 50% to pass the exam.